Description
Hatsu Mukashi (初昔)
Everyday Uji Matcha Green Tea Powder for Usucha, Matcha Lattes and Daily Drinking
Tea Type: Everyday Uji Matcha / Japanese Green Tea Powder
Quality Classification: Entry-Level Everyday Matcha
Recommended Preparation: Usucha and Matcha Latte
Package: 30g Can
Recommended For: Everyday matcha, casual Usucha, matcha lattes, tea preparation practice, cold matcha and culinary use
Product Overview
Hatsu Mukashi is an everyday Uji matcha from Tsujiri Ichi Honten, a historic Japanese tea company established in Uji, Kyoto. It offers an accessible way to enjoy authentic Japanese matcha as casual Usucha, a matcha latte or a versatile ingredient for desserts and other recipes.
Compared with Tsujiri Ichi Honten’s higher-ranked ceremonial and Koicha-oriented matcha blends, Hatsu Mukashi has a more pronounced green-tea bitterness and a lighter level of umami. Its clear matcha character remains noticeable when combined with milk, making it especially practical for everyday matcha lattes.
Hatsu Mukashi may also be prepared as casual Usucha. However, it is not officially classified as a premium Usucha, Koicha or highest-grade ceremonial matcha. It is best presented as an entry-level, everyday Uji matcha for regular drinking, practice and mixed preparations.
Product Name and English Translation
Official Romanized Name: Hatsu Mukashi
Japanese Name: 初昔
Japanese Reading: はつむかし
Literal English Meaning: First of Old Times / Beginning of Long Ago
“Hatsu Mukashi” is the preferred product name for international listings. The Japanese poetic name does not have a single natural English equivalent, so the romanized name should be retained rather than replaced by a literal translation.
Flavor Profile
- Clear and recognizable Japanese matcha flavor
- Pleasantly pronounced green-tea bitterness
- Light, approachable umami
- Subtle vegetal sweetness
- Fresh green-tea fragrance
- Light to medium body
- Clean and refreshing mouthfeel
- Crisp, slightly bitter finish
- Sufficient strength to remain noticeable when combined with milk
Recommended Preparation – Usucha
Hatsu Mukashi can be prepared as casual Usucha for everyday drinking or tea preparation practice. Using water at approximately 80°C helps maintain its fresh aroma while controlling excessive bitterness.
- Preheat the tea bowl and chasen with hot water
- Discard the water and wipe the bowl completely dry
- Sift approximately 1.7g of matcha into the bowl
- Add approximately 70ml of hot water cooled to around 80°C
- Whisk briskly with a chasen using an M-shaped motion
- Continue whisking until a fine and even layer of foam develops
- Lift the chasen gently from the center of the bowl
- Enjoy immediately while the aroma and foam are fresh
Usucha Serving Guide
- Matcha: Approximately 1.7g per bowl
- Water: Approximately 70ml
- Water Temperature: Around 80°C
- Approximate Servings: About 17 bowls per 30g can
Recommended Occasions
- Preparing an everyday bowl of Japanese Usucha
- Practicing matcha preparation with a bamboo chasen
- Learning how to create fine and even matcha foam
- Morning or afternoon personal teatime
- Preparing hot or iced matcha lattes
- Serving casual matcha with Japanese sweets
- Making cold-water matcha during warm weather
- Using authentic Japanese matcha in desserts and recipes
Recommended Pairings
Hatsu Mukashi’s clear bitterness and refreshing green-tea character pair well with sweet foods that soften and balance its stronger matcha notes.
- Yokan
- Monaka
- Mochi and daifuku
- Dorayaki
- Castella cake
- Butter cookies
- Vanilla ice cream
- Milk chocolate
- White chocolate
- Cheesecake
Traditional Uji Matcha
Matcha is made from tencha, tea leaves cultivated under shade before harvesting. Limiting direct sunlight encourages the development of umami and helps produce the distinctive color, fragrance and flavor associated with Japanese matcha.
After harvesting, the tea leaves are steamed and dried without being rolled. The stems and leaf veins are removed to create tencha, which is then ground into a fine powder.
Tsujiri Ichi Honten explains that its matcha continues to be carefully stone-milled. Traditional stone grinding helps create a fine texture, full green-tea flavor, fresh fragrance and smooth dispersion when whisked with water.
Everyday Usucha Matcha
Hatsu Mukashi is suitable for casual Usucha and everyday matcha preparation. Its accessible positioning makes it useful for those learning how to measure, sift and whisk matcha without using a more expensive premium tea for each practice session.
Because it has a stronger bitter character and lighter umami than Tsujiri Ichi Honten’s higher-ranked matcha, slightly cooler water may produce a softer and more balanced bowl. It should not be prepared as Koicha unless a particularly intense and bitter result is intentionally desired.
Matcha Latte Preparation
Hatsu Mukashi is particularly suitable for matcha lattes. Its recognizable matcha bitterness remains noticeable after milk is added, while the sweetness and creaminess of milk create a smoother and more rounded drink.
- Sift approximately 2–3g of matcha into a bowl
- Add approximately 30–40ml of hot water at around 80°C
- Whisk thoroughly until smooth and free from visible clumps
- Add approximately 120–150ml of warm or cold milk
- Sweeten lightly with sugar, honey or syrup if desired
- For an iced latte, add ice before pouring in the cold milk
Cold Matcha Preparation
Cold water softens the perception of bitterness and creates a refreshing everyday matcha drink.
- Sift approximately 1.7–2g of matcha into a bowl or matcha shaker
- Add approximately 60–70ml of cold water
- Whisk or shake thoroughly until evenly dispersed
- Add ice if desired
- Enjoy immediately before the matcha settles
Culinary Uses
Hatsu Mukashi’s clear matcha flavor makes it practical for recipes in which the tea needs to remain noticeable after being combined with milk, sugar, flour or chocolate.
- Matcha latte
- Matcha ice cream
- Matcha cookies
- Matcha cakes and pound cakes
- Matcha cheesecake
- Matcha chocolate
- Matcha pudding
- Yogurt and dessert toppings
- Smoothies and blended drinks
Product Specifications
Brand: Tsujiri Ichi Honten
Japanese Brand Name: Tsujiri Ichi Honten (辻利一本店)
Product Name: Hatsu Mukashi (初昔)
Japanese Reading: Hatsu Mukashi (はつむかし)
Product Type: Everyday Uji Matcha / Japanese Green Tea Powder
Quality Classification: Entry-Level Everyday Matcha
Recommended Style: Casual Usucha, matcha latte and culinary preparation
Koicha Suitability: Not recommended as a Koicha-grade matcha
Ingredients: Green tea
Ingredient Origin: Japan
Production Region: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Net Weight: 30g
Container Type: Matcha can
Approximate Usucha Servings: About 17 bowls at 1.7g per serving
Shelf Life: Retailer information may vary by production lot; check the best-before date printed on the package
Producer: Tsujiri Ichi Honten Co., Ltd.
Producer Address: 156 Uji Myoraku, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0021, Japan
Storage Instructions
- Store away from high temperatures, humidity, direct sunlight and strong odors
- For long-term unopened storage of one month or longer, refrigeration is recommended
- Place the unopened can inside an additional odor-resistant bag when refrigerating
- Allow refrigerated matcha to return completely to room temperature before opening
- Opening the can while it is still cold may cause condensation inside the container
- After opening, keep the can tightly sealed in a cool and dark place
- Consume as soon as possible after opening for the best color, fragrance and flavor
- Do not store matcha near spices, coffee or other strongly scented foods
Preparation Tips
- Sift the matcha immediately before preparation to remove natural clumps
- Preheat the tea bowl and soften the chasen before whisking
- Wipe the bowl completely dry before adding matcha
- Use fresh, soft water whenever possible
- Use water at around 75–80°C for a softer and more balanced Usucha
- Avoid boiling water, which may emphasize bitterness and astringency
- Whisk briskly in an M-shaped motion rather than stirring in circles
- Keep the wrist relaxed and avoid pressing the chasen against the bottom of the bowl
- For a latte, prepare a smooth matcha concentrate before adding milk
Why Choose Hatsu Mukashi?
- Authentic everyday Uji matcha from Tsujiri Ichi Honten
- Accessible introduction to traditionally prepared Japanese matcha
- Suitable for casual Usucha and regular matcha practice
- Clear matcha bitterness that remains noticeable in milk
- Practical choice for hot and iced matcha lattes
- Traditionally stone-milled into a fine Japanese green tea powder
- Versatile enough for drinking, lattes and culinary recipes
- Convenient 30g can with approximately 17 Usucha servings
- More economical for everyday use than premium ceremonial blends
Important Notes
- Hatsu Mukashi is not officially classified as Premium Ceremonial Grade
- It is not officially described as an upper-grade Usucha or Koicha matcha
- Tsujiri Ichi Honten’s current official product page does not provide a specific quality description for Hatsu Mukashi
- The product is therefore presented as an entry-level everyday Uji matcha rather than a premium ceremonial matcha
- It may be prepared as casual Usucha but is especially practical for matcha lattes and regular daily use
- Do not market this product as Highest Grade, Premium Grade or Koicha Grade
- “Ceremonial Grade” is an international marketing term and is not a regulated Japanese certification
- Small clumps may form naturally during storage and transportation; sift before use
- Natural variations in color, fragrance and flavor may occur between production lots
- Matcha readily absorbs moisture and surrounding odors, so keep the can tightly closed