At Nio Teas, every matcha is graded Latte, Entry, Premium or Superior. Premium Grade is our refined ceremonial tier: first-harvest leaf (ichibancha), shaded for an extended period before picking, with only the finest young leaves selected. It brings very high umami, very low bitterness and minimal astringency, and it is smooth enough for koicha, the thick preparation, as well as usucha.
The Oishi Ceremonial Matcha Saemidori sits in Premium Grade because of how it drinks. Saemidori’s natural sweetness and low bitterness make a creamy, nutty, aromatic matcha that starts with roasted kinako, turns to starchy sweet potato and ends clean but mouthwatering.
Cultivar: SaemidoriTea variety
This ceremonial matcha is made entirely from the Saemidori cultivar, one of Japan’s most beloved and refined tea plant varieties.
Saemidori thrives in the warm, humid climate of southern Japan, and in Yame it develops particularly well. Known for its bright color, natural sweetness, and low bitterness, it produces matcha that is creamy, nutty, and aromatic. Mr. Oishi’s slow and careful cultivation of this cultivar brings out its best qualities: a roasted warmth, deep umami, and a clean, lingering finish.
Preparation & Servings30 g = 15 servings · 60 g = 30 servings
Whisked thin as usucha, 2 g of matcha makes one bowl.
Soak the bamboo whisk — 2–3 minutes before first use, 30–60 seconds for daily use.
Sift 2 g (1 tsp) of matcha, about 2 chashaku scoops, into your bowl.
Heat water to 70°C / 160°F.
Add 10 ml (1 tbsp) of water and work it into a smooth paste with no clumps.
Add the rest of the water — 80 ml / ⅓ cup in total.
Whisk in quick W motions for 15–30 seconds.
Enjoy your matcha, then rinse the whisk, let it air-dry and store it on its holder.
Tea Artisan: OishiさんFukuoka
The Oishi family farm is located in Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, one of the country’s most celebrated tea-growing regions. The family has been producing tea since 1940, mastering the balance between innovation and heritage. The deep, mineral-rich mountain soil, combined with Yame’s mild climate and river mists, allows for ideal shading conditions that amplify the Saemidori cultivar’s signature umami and sweetness. Every step of production, from shading to grinding, is handled with precision to ensure exceptional flavor clarity and depth.
Origin: YameJapan
The Oishi Ceremonial Matcha Saemidori comes from Yame in Fukuoka, on Kyushu Island, a region renowned for its pristine mountain air, deep fertile soil, and abundant rainfall. These natural conditions create a unique terroir where the Saemidori leaves develop a perfect harmony of umami, sweetness, and smooth vegetal character. The result is a matcha that feels both powerful and refined, a tribute to Yame’s unmatched tea-growing heritage.
Why choose Nio Teas?
For us, tea is more than a beverage—it’s a way of life. We’ve spent years visiting tea farms across Japan, tasting teas with the people who grow them and building lasting, direct relationships. We believe this is the most sustainable way to source tea: fewer intermediaries, greater traceability and a closer connection between farmer and drinker.
Every tea is 100% pesticide-free and carefully selected for its taste, origin and craftsmanship. Whether you’re discovering Japanese tea or comparing cultivars and terroirs, you’ll find honest tasting notes, precise brewing guidance and real support to help you get the best from every cup.
Rich in catechins and other naturally occurring antioxidants.
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Chlorophyll
Naturally rich in chlorophyll, the pigment behind matcha’s vibrant green colour.
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Potassium & Calcium
Naturally occurring minerals that contribute to matcha’s nutritional profile.
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L-theanine
An amino acid naturally found in tea, associated with a calm, focused feeling.
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Vitamins A, C, E & K
Contains a range of vitamins naturally present in the whole tea leaf.
Why Buy Your Matcha from Nio Teas
No middlemen, no pesticides, no risk.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Try it with confidence. If it isn’t right for you, contact us within 30 days.
11 Japanese Matcha Farmers
Our matcha brings together the craft and regional expertise of 11 partner farmers across Japan.
Direct from Farmer to Bowl
We build lasting relationships with our farmers for fewer intermediaries and greater traceability.
100% Pesticide-Free Matcha
Every matcha is grown without pesticides, then personally tasted and selected by our team.
How to Make Matcha Like a Pro
Discover the art of preparing the perfect bowl of matcha, from choosing the right tools to mastering the traditional whisking technique.
Prepare
Soak the bamboo whisk. First use: 2–3 minutes · Daily use: 30–60 seconds. Sift 2 g (1 tsp) of matcha, or 2 chashaku scoops, into the bowl.
Make the Paste
Heat water to 70°C / 160°F. Add 10 ml (1 tbsp) of water and combine into a smooth matcha paste with no clumps.
Whisk
Add the rest of the water, 80 ml / ⅓ cup in total. Whisk in quick W motions for 15–30 seconds.
Enjoy & Care
Enjoy your matcha. Rinse, air-dry and store the whisk on its holder.
Not All Matcha is Created Equal.
Nio Teas Premium Grade compared side by side with the same grade purchased on Amazon.
A Fukuoka tea family since 1940.
Farmer: Oishiさん
The Oishi family farm is in Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, and the family has been producing tea since 1940, combining time-honoured technique with modern organic stewardship. Mr. Oishi shades his fields for several weeks before harvest, hand-selects the finest leaves and stone-grinds them slowly to preserve their aroma and smoothness.
Why Organic Matcha Fields Make a Difference
Tea plants absorb everything from the soil, making pesticide-free farming especially important. The farmers we work with have found a way to grow delicious tea without harming the natural ecosystem.
Nio teas has been my favourite place to purchase good quality teas for a while now, and still they never disappoint me. Their teas are excellent quality, however, I’d like to give more attention to customer service - Nio team has been very kind and helpful each time I had any sort of problem. Their customer service never disappoints, they are very attentive and quick in responding to any queries, hence why I’ve been a loyal customer for a while now.
Apr 1, 2026
5 out of 5 stars
5/5
Sean
My favorite vendor for Japanese organic loose leaf green teas. They are sourcing some of the best organic teas out of Japan and supporting family farmers and the growing organic tea industry as a whole.I have ordered from every vendor for years and Nio consistently has the best prices and selection overall. They provide top notch customer service and fast shipping as well. Highly recommended 🍃
Shipping is free once your order passes the threshold for your country — USD 54.99 · EUR 54.99 · GBP 44.99 · CHF 49.99 · CAD 74.99 · DKK 399 · SEK 599 · PLN 229 · CZK 1,290. Everywhere else it's the equivalent of USD 54.99, converted automatically. Below the threshold a flat rate applies, always shown at checkout before you pay.
We ship from warehouses in the US, the EU and Japan — whichever is closest to you. US and EU orders arrive in 4–12 business days; the handful of countries served from Japan take around 10. Business days count from dispatch rather than from when you order, and exclude weekends and public holidays. You'll get a tracking number by email the moment your parcel leaves the warehouse.
We only buy from fields grown without pesticides or chemicals. We ask each farmer directly how they manage their land, visit the plantation and processing facility ourselves, taste every harvest before committing, and check that the biodiversity around the fields is alive. Small family farms don't always carry paperwork — so we verify it in person instead.
Japanese green tea covers an enormous range, and choosing online isn't easy. If you've tried yours and it isn't for you, email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a line on what you didn't enjoy. We'll send a different tea of equal or lower value, free. Nothing to post back — keep it, share it, or try brewing it cooler. Once per order.
Email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a photo. We'll approve it, cover the return postage with a prepaid label or a reimbursement, and refund you — no restocking fee. Refunds go to your original payment method within 2 business days of the return reaching us; your bank may take another 5–20 to show it.
Unopened items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Tea is sealed for hygiene, so opened packs can't come back — but the swap above covers exactly that situation. Return postage is yours unless the item arrived damaged, defective or incorrect.
Orders to the US and EU ship domestically from our local warehouse, so there's no customs charge and no duty. A small number of destinations are served from our Japan warehouse, where your own customs authority may apply import duty, VAT or a carrier handling fee on delivery. Those are set by your country, not by us. Ask before you order and we'll help you check.
info@nioteas.com or +41 79 751 83 88. We reply within 2 business days, usually much sooner, in English.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 38 reviews.
for me, the aroma is fresh, sweet, and grassy. the color is a beautiful vibrant green, and the texture is really smooth, creamy, and velvety!
as a latte, i get a nice natural sweetness with soft grassy and sweet vegetal notes. the umami is smooth and velvety on the palate, and the creamy texture makes it really easy to drink. there’s barely any bitterness or astringency, and the finish is soft, creamy, and slightly sweet!
honestly, it’s one of those matchas that i can easily enjoy without adding any sweetener because it already has enough natural sweetness and umami on its own! 💯
definitely a matcha i’d drink again and again and again! 😌
this Oishi Premium Matcha Saemidori opens with a bold umami character that softens into a creamy finish.
paired it with pistachio milk and used frozen pistachio milk cubes instead of regular ice to preserve the flavor. the result? a thick, creamy latte with layers of umami and nuttiness that complemented each other perfectly.
This is honestly one of the best matcha powders I've tried! It's bold, umami, with gentle astringency. The color is vibrant and the powder froths easily as well. This goes well even just in basic lattes and it also pairs well with soy milk! I've also used this in flavored, fun drinks and it did not disappoint! So good. 🤍
I love how easy this powder is to love! It’s the perfect balance for everyday matcha drink. has boldness, with hints of grassiness and bitterness but as lattes, it’s so so good! definitely compliments so well and can be drank every single day!
The Oishi Saemidori matcha is a vivid deep dark green with a smooth, velvety texture. I found the aroma light, slightly toasty, nutty. Very well rounded, creamy and sweet with no bitterness. Comforting.
This matcha is the only one I've tried from Nio that I actively disliked (and I've tried over 20 different ones). It has a flavor very reminiscent of dirt that makes it unpleasant to drink.
Edit: turns out my oat milk had gone bad, check your milk folks 😅
With good milk this matcha is very pleasant to drink! It has a very smooth, mild flavor, so I'd recommend adding very little to it.
Probably the most vibrant green matcha I’ve had yet. The aroma lovely and nutty. It’s very smooth (especially compared to the Noike matcha). Almost no astringency or bitterness, very pleasant to drink without added sweetener.
i savored every last bit of this oishi ceremonial matcha saemidori!
on its own as a koicha its roasty, sweet, velvety thick & refreshing. i could def keep sipping bc there was no astringency just a smooth umami taste
Upon opening the bag, there is a nice matcha aroma that is slightly sweet and vegetal. it is a lovely bright, green with a slight yellow hue to it. the texture is fine and soft.
it whisked up easily and produced a nice foam! i think the taste is well-balanced with umami, vegetal notes. minimal bitterness, and a touch of sweetness. it works very well in a latte especially with just a little bit of sweetener. it is creamy and very enjoyable. i would recommend this as a more elevated everyday matcha!
This matcha has a sweetness to it with a slight nutty taste.
I prefer drinking matchas in an usucha, and this one is no exception (although I had it in a latte LOL) there is so much depth and creaminess to it— I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a complex yet smooth taste
Such a nice aroma, it’s vegetal and also a little oceanic, a nice vibrant green color. As an usucha it is slight umami and vegetal with slightly sweetness and minimal bitterness. As a latte it’s yummy! It’s vegetal with a balanced umami and a creamy finish. It’s 8/10 for me
Superior ceremonial matcha green tea. The aroma and taste are incomparable. I have tried at least 6 other brands and hands down this is the BEST! I highly recommend because you will not be disappointed!
Un buon matcha, dal sapore gradevole e abbastanza equilibrato. Si percepisce una buona qualità della materia prima e il gusto è delicato, senza risultare eccessivamente amaro. Personalmente ho assaggiato matcha ancora più raffinati e complessi, per questo non do cinque stelle, ma resta comunque un prodotto che acquisterei di nuovo e che consiglio.
This is my go to, my matcha goodness that awaits for me at the end of my long work day. My anticipated treat to myself during my drive home. It’s soooooo deeeeeelicious and my favorite drink of choice anytime of the day, too!! It stands on its own which is why there is no need to add anything else but the water to mix up the matcha powder and the foamy froth. Then, it’s just matcha goodness inside every single sip!
