FARMER SOURCED
About 4–1
4–1 stands for four seasons of discipline and first harvest selection — built through time, travel, and direct relationships at origin.
The Standard
4–1 is built on two principles: first, harvest selection and farmer-sourced relationships. The earliest harvest defines the cup delivering clarity of colour, natural sweetness, and a clean, lasting finish that later pickings cannot replicate. Sourcing is direct and intentional built through long-term relationships with producers, not intermediaries.
Rather than rely on grade terminology or trend positioning, we prioritise:
- First harvests
- Region-led character
- Direct producer relationships
- Matcha that holds its character across water and milk
At Origin
4–1 developed over several years — shaped by repeated visits to Japan to understand sourcing at origin.
Uji. Kagoshima. Shizuoka. Nishio.
Travelling across regions, tasting at source, observing milling practices, and speaking directly with producers revealed the difference between commodity matcha and carefully selected first harvests.
4–1 is the result of a slow progression — built quietly, refined deliberately, and launched when the timing made sense.
The Mission
- To serve both home and cafés with consistency and quality.
- To honour origin, season, and craft.
- To build enduring partnerships with producers — not suppliers.
