Our Matcha comes in two grades to meet the needs of every buyer. We carry both Premium Ceremonial Grade and Culinary Grade matchas. The two matcha vary in tastes, texture, and price.
There are a lot of cheap “green tea powders” on the market sold as matcha. These poor quality versions are dull green, lacking in aroma, and have a bitter taste. Even though all matcha is in fact a green tea powder, not all green tea powders are true matcha. Do not be fooled by dull, tasteless copies.
Matcha for Cooking
Culinary grade matcha is much better suited for recipes such as smoothies, green tea lattes, and desserts. Culinary grade matcha has a stronger flavor that stands up well with sugars, fats, and other flavors. An added bonus is that this grade of matcha is more affordable, allowing you to experiment with matcha food to your heart’s content.
Matcha for Tea
If you prefer to enjoy matcha as a tea mixed with hot water, then our premium Ceremonial Grade Tea is the better choice. This high quality tea is sweeter, and more delicate, with a slight astringency. Its subtle flavor profile complements the creamy foam produced by whisking this tea. Happy Matcha’s premium Ceremonial Grade matcha is a bright intense jade green color.
You may be surprised at just how green it looks! High grade matcha must truly be seen first hand to appreciate its appealing green hue. This type of matcha is typically reserved for Japanese tea ceremony – thus the moniker “Ceremonial Grade Matcha”. A traditional bamboo whisk (Chasen) and scoop (Chasaku) are the best tools to prepare high quality matcha.
What is the Difference Between Grades?
The main difference between the various grades of matcha boil down to leaf selection and blending. The topmost leaves at a matcha tea bush are typically the youngest and greenest. These leaves contain the richest sources of nutrients and flavor and these premium leaves are reserved for production of Ceremonial Grade matcha. The leaves at the base of the plant are better suited for the Cooking Grade blend. While the cooking grade is different, it is not necessarily lower in quality. The same care and concern is given to harvesting these other leave as given to the premium leaves. The whole tea bush is given the same care when shading, harvesting, and blending of the leaves. Cooking grade matcha is made with food preparation in mind. The blend has a bolder flavor, higher astringency, and a more pronounced “green tea” flavor that combines well with other food ingredients.
Price Differences
Premium grades of matcha cost more because the requirements for processing them are more strict. Only the youngest, most delicate leaves are used. Premium grade matcha is in more limited supply than Cooking Grade. Since most matcha produced in Japan is consumed in Japan (close to 90%!), the matcha that is left for export becomes even more precious due to high demand and short supply.
Which type of Matcha should I choose?
If what you are craving is the traditional Japanese matcha experience, then consider purchasing a Matcha Tea Set in order to experience premium matcha properly and traditionally prepared. On the other hand, if smoothies and lattes are more your style, then start with budget friendly cooking grade matcha.