Matcha Buyer's Guide
Not sure which matcha is right for you, here is a guide to help you decide. You may also be interested in our New To Matcha? Page.
About Our Matcha Teas
Each grade of our matcha selection shares the following characteristics:
- Grown in the hilly Nishio region of Japan
- Shade covered, steamed, air dried, de-stemmed and ground on ancient stone grinding wheels
- Harvested once a year in the Spring
- High in nutrients, antioxidants (especially EGCg), fiber and chlorophyll
- Made traditionally without the use of artificial colors, preservatives or additives
Product
|
Description |
Taste |
Ideal For |
Utensils Used |
Amino Acids*
|
Kama Matcha
Ceremony Grade
|
Made of the youngest, most delicate tea leaves, stems removed, stone-ground. Intense lingering sweet notes.
|
Most delicate
|
Making matcha as a tea. Suitable for koicha, thick style tea
|
-Bamboo Whisk
-Sifter
-Bowl
-Tea scoop |
Highest
|
|
Morning Matcha
Classic Grade
|
Made of delicate tea leaves, stems removed, stone-ground. Light, airy, sweet and vegetal in taste.
|
Delicate
|
Making matcha as a tea. Use for usucha, thin style tea
|
-Bamboo Whisk
-Sifter
-Bowl
-Tea scoop |
High |
|
Gotcha Matcha
Cafe Grade
|
Vibrant and flavorful. Some stems and veins. Great introduction to matcha for beginners.
|
Rich, full-bodied green tea taste
|
Add to: lattes,
smoothies, ice-cream, etc.
|
-Milk Frother
-Electric
Whisk
-Blender
-Sifter
-Misc cooking utensils |
Medium |
|
Dakota Matcha
Kitchen Grade
|
Made of more mature tea leaves, stems are not fully removed. Excellent for blending.
|
Full-bodied green tea taste, slightly astringent
|
Adding as an ingredient.
Add to:
ice-cream, smoothies, cookies, pastries, sauces, etc.
|
-Electric
Whisk
-Sifter
-Blender
-Misc cooking utensils |
Least |
|
*Amino Acids in Matcha
Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid known to relax the mind. For this reason, matcha is also known as a mood enhancer. Buddhist monks drank matcha to assist in meditation, as matcha’s amino acids, combined with caffeine, offer a sustained calm alertness over time. Amino acids are also what gives matcha is distinctive taste. They contribute to what is known as the fifth taste, or umami, characterized by a rich creamy mouth feel. KAMA MATCHA, our ceremony grade tea, made from the youngest, tenderest leaves, contains the highest levels of amino acids. The delicate flavor profiles of KAMA MATCHA and MORNING MATCHA are best observed when prepared in the traditional style, with a bamboo whisk and whisked in a matcha bowl.
Tips for Preparing Matcha
- Use water under a boil, about 165 to 180 degrees F.
- Experiment with preparation and tastes. There is no right way.
- Store matcha in your refrigerator and once opened, use within 2-4 weeks for maximum freshness and best taste.
- Read the Preparing Matcha Page
How is matcha priced?
The pricing of matcha in Japan is directly related to its quality.
Our premium thin and thick grade matcha are made of stone-ground tencha
tealeaves grown in the Nishio region. These are prized matchas
grown in Japan and made in limited quantity.
What is meant by "thin" and "thick style" tea?Premium
matcha (matcha for drinking as a tea with water) is divided into two categories: thin style (usucha) and thick style (koicha).
- Thin style matcha, also called thin tea, is prepared with less tea to more water. The tea is wetter and sweeter when prepared in this style.
- Thick style matcha can be made as
thin or thick tea. It is the highest grade of matcha, stone-ground from
the youngest tealeaves. This delicateness gives you the chance to make
it as thick as you like, as strong as you like, while still keeping the
complexity of taste.
Matcha Source offers two premium matcha teas: Morning Matcha Classic, designed for thin style tea and Kama Ceremony Grade, designed for either thin or thick style tea.
What is ingredient grade matcha?Ingredient grade matcha - matcha designed for blending with other ingredients - is made up of more mature leaves and has not been as finely de-stemmed and de-veined as ceremony grade tea. Matcha Source offers two ingredient grade options: Gotcha Cafe Grade and Dakota Kitchen Grade. Of the two, Gotcha is more vibrant and has a more delicate flavor profile.
Where to start?
If you are new to matcha, start with either Morning Matcha Classic Grade or Gotcha Matcha Cafe Grade. As you get to know the taste, try the ceremony thick grade, Kama Matcha.
|
