Biwa no Shiro Matcha 40g | Kanbayashi Shunsho – Premium Uji Matcha

★★★★★ 4.5/5 Based on 72 Customer Reviews

Brand: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten
Product: Biwa no Shiro (琵琶の白)
Net Weight: 40g
Origin: Japan
Tea Type: Japanese Uji Matcha
Best For: Usucha, Traditional Matcha & Premium Daily Drinking
Ingredients: 100% Japanese Green Tea

Elegant Uji Matcha for Traditional Usucha

Experience the refined character of Biwa no Shiro (琵琶の白) Matcha 40g, a premium Japanese matcha from the historic tea house Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten.

Biwa no Shiro is officially categorized by Kanbayashi Shunsho as usucha, the traditional thin style of matcha prepared by whisking fine matcha powder directly with warm water.

Positioned above several of the producer's more accessible usucha selections, Biwa no Shiro is an excellent choice for matcha drinkers looking for a more refined everyday bowl with greater smoothness, balance, and depth.

Enjoy it traditionally with water to appreciate its natural character, or use it for an elevated matcha latte when you want the quality of the tea itself to remain noticeable.

Why You'll Love Biwa no Shiro

• Authentic Japanese Uji Matcha – A traditional matcha from Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten.
• Made for Usucha – Officially categorized by the producer as 御薄茶, or thin matcha.
• Refined Drinking Experience – A step above the producer's more accessible everyday selections.
• Smooth & Balanced Character – Excellent for customers who prefer a refined cup rather than aggressive bitterness.
• Ideal with Water – Designed to be appreciated as traditional matcha.
• Premium Daily Matcha – Refined enough for special moments while approachable enough for regular drinking.
• 40g Format – Approximately 20 traditional servings when using 2g per bowl.

Taste & Flavor Profile

Biwa no Shiro offers an elegant balance of traditional matcha characteristics.

Expect gentle umami and natural sweetness alongside fresh green notes, a creamy mouthfeel, restrained astringency, and a clean finish.

Taste Profile

Umami: ★★★★☆
Sweetness: ★★★★☆
Bitterness: ★★☆☆☆
Astringency: ★★☆☆☆
Body: ★★★★☆
Aroma: ★★★★☆

Tasting Notes

Gentle Umami · Natural Sweetness · Fresh Greens · Creamy Body · Mild Bitterness · Clean Finish

The overall experience is smooth and refined, making Biwa no Shiro particularly enjoyable for matcha drinkers who prefer to drink their matcha traditionally with water.

What Is Biwa no Shiro Matcha?

Biwa no Shiro (琵琶の白) is one of the named matcha selections produced by Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten.

Kanbayashi Shunsho officially places Biwa no Shiro within its usucha lineup, alongside matcha such as Aya no Mori, Ryo no Kage, and other traditional thin-tea selections.

Within the current lineup, Biwa no Shiro is positioned above Aya no Mori and Ryo no Kage, making it an attractive choice for customers who want to explore a more refined level of Kanbayashi Shunsho matcha without immediately moving into the producer's highest-end teas.

About Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten (上林春松本店) is a historic Japanese tea house deeply connected to the tea culture of Uji.

Its history spans approximately 450 years, making Kanbayashi Shunsho one of the historic names associated with Japanese green tea.

Today, the producer offers a wide selection of Japanese teas, including matcha for both usucha and koicha preparation.

Biwa no Shiro belongs to its traditional usucha range and offers an excellent balance between refinement and everyday drinkability.

Best Way to Enjoy Biwa no Shiro

Traditional Usucha - Recommended

Biwa no Shiro is specifically suited to usucha, making traditional preparation the best way to experience its character.

Recommended preparation:

• 1.5–2g Biwa no Shiro Matcha
• Approximately 60–70ml water
• Water temperature: approximately 75–80°C / 167–176°F

How to Prepare

1. Warm your matcha bowl and bamboo chasen with hot water.
2. Empty the water and dry the bowl thoroughly.
3. Sift 1.5–2g of Biwa no Shiro into the bowl.
4. Add approximately 60–70ml of warm water.
5. Whisk briskly in an “M” or “W” motion.
6. Continue until the tea is smooth with a fine layer of foam.
7. Enjoy immediately.

Try Biwa no Shiro without milk or sweetener first to appreciate the natural character of the tea.

Premium Biwa no Shiro Matcha Latte

Although Biwa no Shiro is primarily suited to traditional usucha, it can also create an exceptionally smooth premium matcha latte.

Recommended preparation:

• 3–4g Biwa no Shiro Matcha
• 40–50ml warm water
• 150ml milk or plant-based alternative
• Sweetener, optional

Sift the matcha and whisk it with warm water until completely smooth.

Add steamed milk for a hot latte or pour over cold milk and ice for an iced matcha latte.

Because Biwa no Shiro is a higher-quality drinking matcha, we recommend using little or no sweetener so its natural tea character remains noticeable.

Who Should Choose Biwa no Shiro 40g?

Biwa no Shiro is particularly suitable for:

• Traditional matcha drinkers
• Usucha enthusiasts
• Uji Matcha lovers
• Kanbayashi Shunsho enthusiasts
• Customers upgrading from entry-level matcha
• Matcha drinkers who prefer lower bitterness
• Customers looking for a refined daily matcha
• Japanese tea enthusiasts
• Premium matcha latte drinkers
• Customers looking for high-quality Japanese matcha in Canada

At approximately 2g per serving, one 40g package provides around 20 servings.

Is Biwa no Shiro Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

Biwa no Shiro may be described internationally as a ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha because of its quality and suitability for traditional preparation.

However, “ceremonial grade” is not an official standardized Japanese matcha grading system.

Kanbayashi Shunsho uses the more traditional and meaningful Japanese classification 御薄茶 (o-usucha) for Biwa no Shiro.

This means Biwa no Shiro is intended for traditional thin matcha preparation and can be whisked directly with water and enjoyed without milk or sweetener.

For customers shopping internationally, a useful description would therefore be:

Premium Japanese Uji Matcha for traditional usucha.

Is Biwa no Shiro Good for Beginners?

Yes, particularly for beginners who want to experience higher-quality matcha with water.

Entry-level matcha can sometimes have more noticeable bitterness and astringency, which can make traditional preparation challenging for new matcha drinkers.

Biwa no Shiro offers a more refined drinking experience and is a good option for customers transitioning from sweetened matcha lattes toward traditional usucha.

However, customers completely new to Kanbayashi Shunsho may prefer starting with Matsu no Shiro or Aya no Mori before moving up to Biwa no Shiro.

Product Details

How to Store Biwa no Shiro Matcha

Matcha is highly sensitive to oxygen, heat, moisture, light, and strong odors.

For the best freshness:

• Keep the package tightly sealed after opening.
• Store in a cool, dark place.
• Protect from direct sunlight and humidity.
• Keep away from strongly scented foods.
• Refrigerate after opening when possible.
• If refrigerated, allow the sealed package to approach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation.
• Enjoy relatively soon after opening for the best aroma, color, and flavor.

The 40g format is particularly convenient for drinking-quality matcha because it can be consumed relatively quickly after opening.

Why Buy Kanbayashi Shunsho Biwa no Shiro from Kisshomori?

At Kisshomori, we curate authentic Japanese matcha for tea lovers across Canada who want to explore the craftsmanship, history, and diversity of traditional Japanese tea.

Choose Kanbayashi Shunsho Biwa no Shiro Matcha 40g if you're looking for:

• Authentic Japanese Uji Matcha
• Matcha from a historic Japanese tea house
• Premium matcha for traditional usucha
• Smooth and refined drinking quality
• An upgrade from everyday matcha
• A premium 40g format
• Authentic Japanese matcha available in Canada

Whether you're upgrading your daily matcha or exploring Kanbayashi Shunsho for the first time, Biwa no Shiro offers an elegant introduction to a more refined level of traditional Japanese usucha.

Shipping

• Ships from Vancouver, Canada
• Canada: 2–5 business days
  
• USA: 5–9 business days (tracked)
  
• Australia: 6–12 business days (tracked)
  🌍 Worldwide shipping available