The Last Matcha: our limited edition ceremonial matcha from the last tea farm in Hino, Shiga

Nomu started with a trip to Japan to find out what matcha is supposed to taste like. Two years on, there was only one way to celebrate: go back to the source.

So we did. We travelled to Shiga Prefecture, just east of Kyōto, to meet our long-term partners there. They took us to Hino, to the last remaining tea farm in the area. What we found there became The Last Matcha, a limited edition ceremonial matcha. An extremely limited amount of pouches exist.

"We went looking for what matcha is supposed to be, and two years on, going back to the source was the only way to celebrate. Standing in the last tea farm in Hino, in fields that are finally coming back to life, we knew at first sip this was the one. It's called The Last Matcha, but for this farm, it feels like the beginning." Tessa, co-founder.

The last tea farm in Hino

Hino once had tea fields across the hills. Over the decades, as matcha fell out of favour, the farms were abandoned one by one. The fields went wild.

Until just one remained. One farm. One farmer. One tradition that almost disappeared. For decades, Mr. Kida kept it alive, harvesting and caring for the plants while everything around him went quiet.

Now the next generation has stepped forward to carry on what he started. They're protecting the farm, restoring the abandoned fields around it, and making sure Hino's tea-growing tradition doesn't disappear.

Walking those fields with the people bringing them back to life is something we'll never forget.

Why we called it The Last Matcha

"Last" doesn't mean the end. It's the last tea farm in Hino, and this blend is about what comes next for it.

It's also our early birthday present to you. Nomu turns two on 5 December, and we wanted to mark it with something truly for the books. No sh!t matcha, with an epic story.

What does The Last Matcha taste like?

A rich, well-rounded cup with nutty notes, a balanced bitterness and strong umami. It's first harvest, 100% shade-grown Yabukita, and it sits high on umami, boldness and smoothness, with low astringency.

If you love our Ceremonial Grade, this is its deeper, nuttier cousin.

How to make it

1. Sift 2g to 4g of matcha into a bowl. Use less for a lighter cup and more if you like it bold.
2. Add about 45ml of water at ~75°C. Boiling water will make it bitter.
3. Whisk in a quick "W" motion until it's smooth and frothy.
4. Drink it straight, or pour it over milk for a latte. We think it shines with oat milk, where the nuttiness really comes through.

Keep it fresh

Light, air and moisture will mess with your matcha (and yes, it'll taste like sh!t). Store it somewhere dark and cool, reseal the pouch after every use, and drink it within two months of opening. Not that it'll last that long.

How does it compare to our other matcha?

	The Last Matcha	Ceremonial Grade	Premium Grade
Grade	Ceremonial (limited edition)	Ceremonial	Premium
Origin	Hino, Shiga	Uji, Kyōto	Kyōto
Harvest	First	First	First and second
Cultivars	Yabukita	Okumidori, Samidori, Yabukita	Okumidori, Yabukita
Taste	Heavy umami, nutty, balanced	Bold, umami, smooth	Light-bodied, nutty, smooth, slightly sweet
Best for	Matcha lovers wanting something new	Everyday ceremonial ritual	Lattes and matcha newbies

FAQ

Is The Last Matcha ceremonial grade? Yes. It's 100% pure, first harvest, shade-grown ceremonial grade matcha from Shiga, Japan.

How many are there? Just 500 pouches. When they're gone, they're gone.

What does this matcha taste like? You can read more about the difference in taste, cultivar and origin above or in our guide to ceremonial vs premium matcha.

Where can I buy it? Online at nomumatcha.com from 10 November, and in-store exclusively at Farro Fresh from 16 November, with tastings in store.

Is it vegan? Yes. The only ingredient is 100% pure matcha green tea powder.

Where is Shiga? Shiga Prefecture sits just east of Kyōto, around Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake.

Try The Last Matcha for free

Want a taste first? On Thursday 12 November from 7:30am, we're giving away 500 free Last Matcha lattes, 100 at each of these cafés:

• Auckland: Whisk & Brew
• Tauranga: Somethin' Somethin'
• Wellington: Groundfloor 
• Christchurch: Gigi's
• Arrowtown: Wolf Coffee Roasters

First in line, follow Nomu on Instagram and leave your email. Two lucky Drinkers at each café will also win a pouch of The Last Matcha to take home.

Get it before it's gone

Made in Japan. Born in Aotearoa. 500 pouches, one farm, one epic story.

Shop The Last Matcha

Never drink a sh!t matcha again.
Tessa & Karen