How to choose matcha
There are many types and grades of matcha—ranging from culinary use to premium ceremonial quality.
With so many options, it can be hard to know which one to choose.
As a general rule, the higher the price, the better the taste, aroma, and vibrant green color.
Here, we’ll guide you through our recommended matcha so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
| Good quality matcha | Poor quality matcha | |
| color | Beautiful green | Reddish or whitish green |
| Fregrance | There is a good scent unique to matcha | There is little good scent unique to matcha |
| Umami | Many | Few |
| Bitter taste | Few | Many |
Recommended products for drinking
For first-time buyers
「OGURAYAMA」Yamamasa Koyamaen
「IKENOSHIRO」HOSHINOEN
「KAGURA」IZUMO MATCHA
「ASAHINA-NO-YUKI」MEIYO SHIZUOKA MATCHA
Among the beverage brands of each manufacturer, it ranks in the middle and is the best-selling product.These are the best-selling brands of matcha for Japanese tea ceremonies.
For everyday use
「MATSUKAZE」「SAMIDORI」「YOMO-NO-KAORI」Yamamasa Koyamaen
「YAMENOHANA」「YAMENOTSUYU」「HOSHINOTSUYU」HOSHINOEN
「KAGURA」「KAMI-WATASHI」IZUMO MATCHA
「AOBANE-NO-TUKI」「OKABE-NO-HANA」MEIYO SHIZUOKA MATCHA
If you want to drink casually every day, we recommend our “Samidori” or “Matsukaze” or “YOMO-NO-KAORI” . It is recommended for daily wake-up and daily practice of teaceremony.
For special occasions
「TENNOUZAN」Yamamasa Koyamaen
「SEIJYU」HOSHINOEN
「NYUFUNE-NO-KAZE」MEIYO SHIZUOKA MATCHA
If you want to entertain important customers, give something a little better than the standard, or have a special taste, we recommend the “Tennozan” or higher brand. Not only do they have a rich, rich aroma and umami of matcha, but they also have a unique aroma from the use of young buds, making them very delicious.
Recommended Matcha products for food processing
「Premium Culinary Grade A」Yamamasa Koyamaen
「MOKUREN」HOSHINOEN
These matcha are recommended for food processing applications. The quality is also high, and it can also be used for the drink menu of the cafe.
If it fits your budget, it would be better to use matcha "Matsukaze" for tea ceremony.
| GRADE | KOYAMAEN TEA NAME |
| CEREMONIAL GRADE (THICK TEA) |
|
| CEREMONIAL GRADE (THIN TEA) |
SHIKIBU NO MUKASHI OGURAYAMA YOMO NO KAORI SAMIDORI MATSUKAZE MAKI NO SHIRO |
| CULINARY GRADE |
Premium Culinary Grade A Premium Culinary Grade B Premium Culinary Grade 1 Premium Culinary Grade 2 |
About the Quality and Price of Matcha
The higher the quality of matcha, the more fragrant it is, with a mellow taste, less bitterness and astringency, and a deeper umami (natural sweetness) with a clean, lingering aftertaste.
High-grade matcha also has a vibrant, bright green color.
This quality comes from careful cultivation—using premium raw tea leaves, special shading techniques, and nutrient-rich fertilization to bring out the rich umami flavor.
Naturally, these processes increase the cost, which is reflected in the price.
We partner with trusted matcha producers in Japan and ship fresh, authentic matcha directly from Japan to customers around the world.