7 Best Matcha Brands From A Japanese Perspective!
Have you ever been confused about choosing matcha brands?
There are so many matcha brands. Each brand has its own mission and different flavors of matcha.
In this article, we will look at 7the best matcha brands and their popular matcha. If you want to determine which brands you want to buy matcha from, this article is for you!
2 Things to Consider Before Choosing Matcha Brand
Which Grade of Matcha is Offered: Ceremonial Grade vs Culinary Grade vs Others
Ceremonial matcha indicates that the tea is from the plant's first harvest of the spring season, usually around May. It has been shaded from direct sunlight for the majority of the growing period, which is the best time to capture matcha's balanced flavor and nutrients. Because the leaves are young, they have more chlorophyll and are the most vibrant color.
After harvest, the leaves are finely milled and the stems are removed, resulting in a powder that is ideal for silky-smooth lattes, lemonade, smoothies, and other beverages.
A second, later tea harvest yields culinary matcha, which has a slightly bitter flavor and coarser mouthfeel.
These leaves have been exposed to more sunlight, so their flavor is more astringent. They are also ground faster than ceremonial matcha leaves, resulting in a slightly more granular powder that is earthy and bitter. This grade is typically blended with milk and sweeteners to help balance and round out the flavor. As a result, it is most commonly used in baking.
Other types, such as matcha latte powder, are specially prepared forms of matcha that can be easily blended into lattes and other milk-based beverages. Pure matcha is mixed with sweeteners and, on occasion, milk powder to create a complete, instant latte solution.
Origin: Where is Matcha From?
Matcha originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th centuries), but it was later developed in Japan after being introduced by Eisai, a Zen Buddhist monk, in the 12th century. The unique method of shade-growing tea plants in Japan improved their flavor and health benefits, making them popular in Japanese tea ceremonies.
You might have heard about Uji, in Japan. Because of climate, soil, and expert farmers, the best matcha in the world is Uji matcha green tea powder. In Uji, people have been cultivating matcha for more than 800 years, and the town's centuries-old wisdom about tea cultivation will be preserved for future generations.
Review: 7 Best Matcha Brands From Japanese Perspective!
#1 Ippodo Tea
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Their popular Matcha: Premium Organic Matcha - 20g / 0.7oz
Origin of Matcha: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Other note: The history of Ippodo began three centuries ago, in 1717 when Rihei Watanabe opened a store called Omiya to sell ceramics and tea. In 1846, the store was renamed Ippodo, which translates to "preserve one. " Prince Yamashina gave the shop its name because he loved Ippodo tea and wanted to maintain one tradition: serving excellent tea. Since then, Ippodo has stayed committed to providing premium Japanese tea while also evolving with the times.
In Kyoto, Nara, and Shiga Prefectures—all of which have similar climates and natural environments—Ippodo's tea is primarily grown in the hills between the Uji and Kizu River basins. Ippodo tea, which is grown at a high elevation with significant temperature variations between morning and evening and is shrouded in river mist, is known for its pleasant umami flavor and lovely aroma.
Tea fields on steep hillside slopes need a lot of manual labor, including hard work during picking season and constant daily care. The hard work and enthusiasm of seasoned tea growers are essential to producing high-quality tea.
#2 Kyoto Geisha Matcha
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Their Popular Matcha: Super Ceremonial Grade Matcha - 30g, 1.06 oz / 100g, 3.53 oz
Origin of Matcha: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Other note: "Kyoto Geisha Matcha" introduces the world to Japan's uncommon organic matcha. We produce rare, premium single-origin matcha that comes only from Kyoto, working with knowledgeable tea masters who have 270 years of experience in the city.
This commitment guarantees that our matcha's flavor and aroma won't be compromised, providing a genuine flavor experience.
Furthermore, we are dedicated to maintaining Japanese culture in general as well as matcha quality. Throughout its "1% for Kyoto" initiative, which highlights our dedication to the local community and culture, we also help preserve Kyoto's significant cultural legacy.
#3 Jade Leaf Matcha
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Their popular Matcha: Organic Ceremonial Matcha - Teahouse Edition - 100g, 3.53 oz
Origin of Matcha: Japan
Other note: Premium quality, organic Japanese matcha at a reasonable price, straight from farmers we know and trust, is the clear and simple promise of the Jade Leaf brand.
The Kizuna Tea Collective, a flourishing network of family-run tea farms spread throughout Japan's premier growing regions, produces Jade Leaf Matcha. Since 1858, they have been growing premium matcha and supplying Japan's domestic market. Kizuna (絆) means "bond" or "connection," signifying the solid bonds they have established with their clients and partners.
The carefully chosen leaves from each harvest are then combined by their tea masters to produce a distinctive, well-rounded flavor profile that is incomparable.
#4 Rishi Tea
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Their popular Matcha: Rishi Tea Everyday Matcha - 30g, 1.06oz
Origin of Matcha: Kirishima, Japan
Other note: In Sanskrit, Rishi means a person who seeks truth or is a sage or seer. Rishi Tea was founded on a commitment to raising the quality bar and increasing awareness of exceptional tea and its rich, inspirational tradition. They offer premium tea and botanicals sourced directly from growers around the world, drawing inspiration from ancient artisanal practices that employ organic cultivation techniques and modern culinary innovation. They are leading practitioners of tea and botanical arts.
#5 Naoki Matcha
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Their popular Matcha: Superior Blend Matcha - 40g, 1.4oz
Origin of Matcha: Japan
Other note: Naoki Match consistently aims to comprehend the matcha preferences of each customer. They most likely have a blend for you, whether you're looking for something to make a calming Usucha or the ideal matcha latte. How do they do that?
They have established a solid network of contacts throughout Japan over the years, including factories, tea estates, and tea masters. They also collaborate with these people to create a new blend when we identify a market gap. To get the flavors we want, it takes two to three months to purchase tea leaves, process them, blend them, taste them, blend them again, and taste them again. This gives them the freedom to provide fair prices for high-quality matcha along with amiable customer service. Other online-first brands are unable to achieve the same level of quality and value for money, and larger tea companies are unable to iterate as quickly.
#6 Tenzo Tea
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Their popular Matcha: Tenzo Organic Matcha - 60g, 2.12oz
Origin of Matcha: Kagoshima, Japan
Other note: Tenzo was founded in 2016 to question how they obtain our daily energy. They developed their own contemporary take on the traditional, healthful beverage of matcha because they were fed up with the way coffee and sugar-filled energy drinks left us feeling. And the way Americans view caffeine was completely changed by our vision. As more people began switching from coffee to Tenzo and enjoying the sensation, they became the nation's fastest-growing matcha company.
Tenzo matcha is premium tea that is 100% organic and comes straight from a family of farmers in Kagoshima, Japan, who have been growing green tea in fertile volcanic soil for more than 400 years.
#7 Encha
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Their popular Matcha: Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha - 30g, 1.06 oz
Origin of Matcha: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Other note: Li Gong, the company's founder, had a realization in the early 2010s after tasting the most delicate matcha from a Japanese organic farm. He quit his job in Silicon Valley right away and founded Encha Matcha in 2014 with the goal of making premium, organically grown matcha accessible to everyone.
Encha still pursues the same goal today. Slow, careful care is crucial in our harvest and production methods, which have their roots in ancient customs. We extend an invitation to matcha enthusiasts to savor our deep, nuanced flavor and reap the rewards of unadulterated, pure energy.
Written by Admin Irasshai
