{"product_id":"kakuun","title":"Kakuun - Asahi Hand-Picked Ceremonial Matcha from Uji, Kyoto","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eKakuun - Asahi Hand-Picked Ceremonial Matcha from Uji, Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun is a hand-picked Asahi ceremonial matcha from Uji, Kyoto, produced by Shogyokuen - a family-run tea factory established in 1827. It represents the upper tier of the Shogyokuen range - rare cultivar, rare harvest method, and a cup that delivers exceptional umami, a long coating mouthfeel, and the buttery, avocado-creamy depth that Asahi is known for. This is matcha for those who have worked through the range and want something genuinely different at the top of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Kakuun\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun is part of our Ceremonial Matcha collection and uses two rare distinctions that set it apart from everything below it in the range: the Asahi cultivar, and hand-picking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsahi is one of Japan's oldest and most revered matcha cultivars, long associated with Kyoto's traditional tea schools. It is prized for its exceptionally buttery character, deep umami, rich green color, and thick, coating mouthfeel - qualities that make it one of the finest cultivars for koicha preparation. Hand-picking selects only the finest, most tender young leaves individually, producing significantly higher amino acid content, more vibrant color, and a depth that machine-harvested matcha cannot replicate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination produces a matcha that is in a different category from anything scissor-cut in the Shogyokuen range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTaste Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, thick, coating\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, clean\n\u003cstrong\u003eUmami:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptional\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buttery, rich\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun opens with a long, thick mouthfeel that coats the palate immediately. Butter and cooked pea lead the entry - rich, deep, and immediate - accompanied by the creamy density of ripe avocado. Nutty notes of macadamia drift across the mid-palate, smooth and well-integrated. Spinach richness carries through the body, giving the matcha a substantial, satisfying weight. The finish is long, clean, and deeply umami-forward, settling slowly without bitterness. A cup that rewards time and attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Use Kakuun\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest suited for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKoicha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsucha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear-style preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun is the strongest koicha matcha in the mid-to-upper Shogyokuen range. Its hand-picked Asahi tencha provides the concentration, body, and clean depth that thick preparation demands. In usucha, it produces an exceptional bowl - long, coating, and deeply satisfying. The only step above it in the Shogyokuen range is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zuisho\"\u003eZuisho\u003c\/a\u003e, which uses hand-picked Uji Hikari. For cafés building a top-tier ceremonial menu, Kakuun is the right reference point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Kakuun Compares\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shogyoku\"\u003eShogyoku\u003c\/a\u003e (premium Samidori, scissor-cut), Kakuun steps up in cultivar rarity, harvest method, and mouthfeel depth. The Asahi cultivar and hand-picking produce a noticeably thicker, more coating cup with greater umami intensity. Compared to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zuisho\"\u003eZuisho\u003c\/a\u003e (hand-picked Uji Hikari), Kakuun is buttery where Zuisho is rich and sweet. Both are at the pinnacle of the Shogyokuen range, simply expressing different cultivar characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Sourcing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun is produced by Shogyokuen, a family-run tea factory established in 1827 and led today by master blender Hiroshi Kobayashi. The hand-picked Asahi tencha originates from Uji, Kyoto - the historical heart of Japanese matcha - and is refined in Kyotanabe, Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChaseki holds exclusive Thailand distribution rights for Shogyokuen's full matcha range. Kakuun is one of the rarest products in our portfolio - hand-picked Asahi tencha from a producer of this caliber is not widely available outside Japan's premium market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTrusted by Thailand's Matcha Community\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChaseki has specialized in Japanese matcha since November 2018 and has supplied Thailand's professional tea industry since 2020, training more than 2,500 students through workshops on matcha preparation, sourcing, and business. Kakuun is reserved for experienced matcha drinkers and specialty tea programs where rarity and depth matter as much as consistency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSizes \u0026amp; Packaging\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun is available in multiple formats:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40g can for home preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100g, 250g, 500g, and 1,000g pouches for professional use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarting at THB 4,010 for the 40g can. Wholesale pricing available for verified B2B accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Store Matcha\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStore Kakuun in the fridge or freezer, sealed in its original packaging or an airtight container. At this level, proper storage is non-negotiable - hand-picked Asahi is too rare to lose to poor conditions. Keep away from strong-smelling foods. Return to room temperature before opening. See FAQ 4 below for full storage guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady to explore hand-picked matcha or the Asahi cultivar in depth? Visit our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/learn\"\u003eeducational library and video tutorials\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat does hand-picked mean for Kakuun?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost tencha is harvested by machine - efficient but indiscriminate. Hand-picking selects only the finest, most tender young leaves individually, producing significantly higher amino acid content, more vibrant color, and greater depth. In Kakuun, hand-picking the Asahi cultivar produces a long, coating mouthfeel and exceptional umami that machine-harvested matcha at this price point cannot match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the Asahi cultivar?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsahi is one of Japan's oldest and most revered matcha cultivars, long associated with Kyoto's traditional tea schools. Known for its exceptionally buttery character, deep umami, rich green color, and thick coating mouthfeel - making it one of the finest cultivars for koicha. Rare outside Japan's highest-end matcha production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow does Kakuun compare to Shogyoku?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/shogyoku\"\u003eShogyoku\u003c\/a\u003e is premium single-cultivar Samidori - rich, sweet, excellent for usucha and koicha. Kakuun steps up with hand-picked harvest and the Asahi cultivar, delivering a noticeably thicker, more coating cup with greater umami intensity. The price reflects both the cultivar's rarity and the labor of hand-picking.\n\u003ch4\u003eIs Kakuun worth the price?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor experienced matcha drinkers who prepare traditional usucha or koicha, yes. The combination of hand-picked Asahi tencha, exceptional umami, and a long avocado-creamy mouthfeel is difficult to replicate at a lower price. For latte and mixed drink use, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shogyoku\"\u003eShogyoku\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chiyo-mukashi\"\u003eChiyo Mukashi\u003c\/a\u003e serve better at lower cost per gram.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the difference between Ceremonial, Daily, and Latte Matcha?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Chaseki, matcha is categorized by intended use. Ceremonial is for usucha and koicha. Daily is for regular enjoyment. Latte is for milk-based preparations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this matcha suitable for beginners?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKakuun is best appreciated by experienced matcha drinkers. For beginners, start with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toyo-mukashi\"\u003eToyo Mukashi\u003c\/a\u003e and work up through the range before investing in Kakuun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow should I choose the right matcha for my use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor traditional preparation and koicha at the highest level, Kakuun is the choice. For lattes and mixed drinks, Daily or Latte Matcha offers better value per gram.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow should I store matcha properly?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStore in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container. Fresh up to four months in the fridge, over one year frozen if sealed. Return to room temperature before opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes matcha contain caffeine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Matcha contains caffeine and L-theanine, contributing to calmer, more sustained energy compared to coffee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs Chaseki matcha sourced directly from Japan?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. All sourced from established Japanese producers with full transparency and long-term relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this matcha suitable for cafes and professional use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Available in larger formats for specialty tea programs and high-end café menus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the difference between single-cultivar and blended matcha?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle-cultivar highlights one cultivar's character. Blended matcha combines cultivars for balance or a specific flavor profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRelated Products\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/shogyoku\"\u003eShogyoku\u003c\/a\u003e - premium Samidori one step below, exceptional value at its price point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zuisho\"\u003eZuisho\u003c\/a\u003e - hand-picked Uji Hikari, the pinnacle of the Shogyokuen range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/chiyo-mukashi\"\u003eChiyo Mukashi\u003c\/a\u003e - Samidori + Uji Hikari blend for a more accessible premium option\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/how-to-prepare-koicha\"\u003eHow to Prepare Koicha\u003c\/a\u003e - our guide to thick matcha preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Shogyokuen","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":47868857024669,"sku":"SHO-MAT-KAK-40S","price":4010.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":47868857057437,"sku":"SHO-MAT-KAK-100P","price":9447.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false},{"title":"250g","offer_id":47868857090205,"sku":"SHO-MAT-KAK-250P","price":20994.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false},{"title":"500g","offer_id":47868857122973,"sku":"SHO-MAT-KAK-500P","price":37322.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false},{"title":"1000g","offer_id":47868857155741,"sku":"SHO-MAT-KAK-1000S","price":66350.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0347\/1228\/9412\/files\/kakuun-40g.jpg?v=1777113046","url":"https:\/\/store.chaseki.com\/products\/kakuun","provider":"Chaseki Specialty Matcha","version":"1.0","type":"link"}