Which Matcha to buy ? Not All Matcha is Created Equal
Walking down the tea aisle, you’ll see matcha labeled "ceremonial," "culinary," "latte grade," and more. The price and colour differences can be stark. So, what’s the real difference? Which Matcha to buy ? It all comes down to the harvest and processing.
Ceremonial Grade Matcha
- Harvest: Made from the youngest, most tender tea leaves from the very first harvest of the year. These leaves are at the top of the tea plant and have the highest concentration of L-theanine and chlorophyll.
- Flavor Profile: Extremely smooth, subtly sweet, with a rich umami flavour and no bitterness.
- Color: A vibrant, almost electric green.
- Best For: Drinking straight with just water, as prepared in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Its delicate flavours would be lost in lattes or baking.
Price: The highest price point, reflecting its quality and labor-intensive harvesting.
Culinary Grade Matcha
- Harvest: Made from later-harvest tea leaves. These leaves are older and have been exposed to more sunlight, giving them a more robust, slightly bitter flavor.
- Flavour Profile: Strong, bold green tea flavour with a noticeable astringency (bitterness). This allows it to stand up to other ingredients.
- Colour: A less vibrant, more subdued green, sometimes with yellowish tones.
- Best For: Lattes, smoothies, baking, and cooking. Its strong flavor won't get lost when mixed with milk, sugar, and flour. See our favourite matcha recipes.
- Price: Much more affordable, making it perfect for everyday use in recipes.
