Aichi (Nishio)
A major matcha region, specialized in tencha. As well as drinking grades, it supplies much of the culinary matcha that goes into sweets and drinks. The soil and climate along the Yahagi river are considered well suited to tencha.
Land and climate
Fertile soil laid down by the Yahagi river and a mild climate close to the sea. Frost damage is rare, which makes the infrastructure that shade growing requires practical to run year after year.
How it is made
Specialization in tencha is the defining feature — the share of tencha here is far higher than in other major regions. Large-scale tencha production and stone milling are both well established here.
Cultivars
What to look for
For culinary matcha, Nishio is easy to find and realistically priced. For a high drinking grade, compare it against Uji and Yame.