Hoshino Seicha-en
Our most coveted matcha, a rare offering we’re only able to secure once a year. Founded in 1946 and nestled in the mountains of Yame, Fukuoka, Hoshino Seicha-en is an award-winning Japanese tea producer known for its exceptional gyokuro and matcha.
We've curated a small but intentional range of Hoshino Seicha-en matcha that captures the distinct, nutty flavour they’re known for, while providing three different grades to choose from based on preferred use and flavour profile.
About Hoshino Seicha-en
Hoshino Seicha-en began cultivating and producing tea in 1947. Today, the company operates its own tencha factory and stone mills in Hoshino Village, allowing it to maintain close control over the production of its matcha.
The company's expertise is particularly rooted in Yame's tradition of producing gyokuro and other shaded teas. Hoshino's tea fields are located between the Minou mountains and Mount Kumado, where the high altitude, cool temperatures, mist, and significant differences between day and night create favourable conditions for slow-growing tea with depth and sweetness.
The result is a range of matchas that are characteristically rich in umami and complexity.
Hoshino's tea professionals have earned some of Japan's highest distinctions in tea evaluation. In 2011, Shinya Yamaguchi became a tea appraisal master with the highest rank of 10th dan after winning the National Tea Appraisal Technical Competition three times, including two consecutive victories. In 2023, Hoshino's store manager Yosuke Yamaguchi also achieved 10th dan, making the brothers both tea appraisal masters at the highest level.
The company's history also includes numerous tea names bestowed by heads of major Japanese tea schools, reflecting Hoshino's longstanding relationship with the world of traditional tea.
our Hoshino Seicha-en selection
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Level 1: Yamabuki
Excellent entry-level introduction to Yame matcha. Punchy but still bright and balanced, making it the perfect choice for latte lovers.
Profile: Earthy, rounded, nutty
Best for: Lattes | Confections
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Level 2: Mokuren
A step above Yamabuki. Deeper and richer, with a noticeably full mouthfeel. Like eating nuts covered in dark chocolate.
Profile: Chocolatey, nutty, umami-forward
Best for: Lattes | Usucha
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Level 3: Yame no Hana
Our highest grade in the lineup and the most roasted-tasting of the three. Complex, full-bodied, and deeply savoury, with notes of toasted rice.
Profile: Creamy, roasted, nutty.
Best for: Usucha | Premium lattes
How to choose a Hoshino Seicha-en matcha
Hoshino's matcha is considerably different from the flavour profiles of our other producers. They lean deeply nutty, roasted, and savoury in flavour, with less pronounced vegetal or marine notes.
If this is your first introduction to Yame matcha and you primarily drink lattes, consider Yamabuki. It showcases Hoshino’s characteristic nuttiness while retaining some more familiar bright, sweet notes.
If a bold, deep, and nutty matcha sounds enticing, and you primarily drink lattes or casual usucha, Mokuren is the clear choice.
If you’re looking for a deeply savoury and roasted-tasting matcha that will make a truly exceptional usucha or elevated latte, Yame no Hana might be your new holy grail.
There isn't one objectively "best" matcha. The right tea is the one whose taste you most enjoy drinking.
FAQs
Who is Hoshino Seicha-en and what makes them special?
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Hoshino Seicha-en is an award-winning, highly respected Japanese tea producer. Hoshino is particularly known for its gyokuro and other shaded teas, as well as its matcha. Its teas are prized for their umami and refined character.
What region is Hoshino Seicha-en from?
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Hoshino Seicha-en Yame is based in Hoshino Village in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, one of Japan's most renowned tea-producing regions. Yame is particularly renowned for gyokuro and other shaded teas. The region's mountainous terrain, cool climate, mist, and traditional cultivation practices contribute to teas known for their pronounced umami, sweetness, and depth.
Is Hoshino Seicha-en matcha available in Canada?
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Yes. While matcha from Hoshino Seicha-en is difficult to source, Truce Tea Co. carries a limited selection of Hoshino Seicha-en matcha annually and ships orders across Canada.
When will you restock Hoshino Seicha-en?
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We expect to restock spring / summer 2027.
Truce Tea Co. exists to make carefully selected Hoshino Seicha-en matcha available to Japanese tea enthusiasts across Canada.
Each tea is selected with a focus on flavour, best applications, and craftsmanship, making it easier to explore different expressions without having to navigate an unfamiliar catalogue on your own.
All Truce orders are shipped from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Continue exploring
View all our Japanese matcha and hojicha
Discover the full Truce collection.
Learn how to prepare matcha
From a delicate usucha to a rich matcha latte, discover our suggested preparation guides to get the most out of your matcha.