12 Different Ceremonial Grade Matcha Review!
If you've ever looked at a menu at a fancy coffee shop, you're probably aware of how hard it is to understand and distinguish between the various drink options.
Looking at the grades of matcha may make you revisit your fancy coffee shop experience if you're new to matcha! Although the same plant is used to make all matcha, each grade varies. Every grade is meant to serve a distinct function. Matcha's color, texture, possible applications, and general quality can all be indicated by its grade. One of the finest and most adaptable types of matcha is ceremonial grade.
Before diving into ceremonial grade matcha, I would like to look into more what is the actual difference between ceremonial grade and culinary grade first!
What Is the Difference Between Ceremonial Grade Matcha and Culinary Grade Matcha?
Ceremonial matcha signifies that the tea is from the plant's first spring harvest, which typically occurs in May, and that it has been protected from direct sunlight for the majority of its growth season. Since these leaves are young, they have more chlorophyll and the most vivid color, making this the perfect time to capture the balanced flavor and nutrients of matcha.
The powder is perfect for smooth lattes, lemonade, smoothies, and more because the leaves are finely ground after harvest and the stems are removed during processing.
Culinary matcha, which has a slightly bitter flavor and coarser mouthfeel, will be produced from a second, later tea harvest. The taste is more astringent because these leaves have received more sunlight.
Additionally, they are ground faster than ceremonial matcha leaves, which results in a slightly more granular, bitter, and earthy powder. Usually, milk and sweeteners are added to this grade to help balance and round out its flavor. As a result, baking is its usual use.
From now on, we will focus on ceremonial matcha to give you a sense of how different each ceremonial matcha is in each brand. After reading this article, you can clarify which matcha you want.
What Are the Characteristics of Best Ceremonial Matcha?
A certain procedure must be followed in order to produce the best ceremonial grade matcha.
Prior to harvesting, the tea plants need to be shaded for three weeks. The farmer can create a smoother, less bitter matcha by detaching the tea plant from the sunlight. To enhance the flavor even more, the leaves with the highest nutrient content are picked, and then their stems are cut off. The best ceremonial matcha has these qualities, among others!
The Review: 12 Different Ceremonial Grade Matcha
#1 Recommendation: Kyoto Geisha Matcha "Super Ceremonial" Matcha
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Taste: Rich umami and mellow sweetness
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Size: Tin - 1.06 oz/30g / Pouch - 3.53 oz/100g
Price: Tin - $31.99 / Pouch - $52.99
Other note: Kyoto Geisha Matcha's "Super Ceremonial" is an excellent choice for those looking for the highest quality organic matcha. The best use of this matcha is just enjoying the matcha itself as a tea.
It uses the rare "Gokou" cultivar, which is only grown in Kyoto. The matcha is hand-picked during the first harvest (Ichibancha), producing a richly flavored and deeply nuanced tea ideal for special occasions.
Uji is a place name in Kyoto, but Uji matcha covers three regions outside of Kyoto (Nara, Shiga, and Mie). As a result, Super Ceremonial from Kyoto Geisha Matcha, which exclusively selects matcha produced in Kyoto, is an extremely rare product.
Enjoy a cup that reflects Japan's rich traditions.
#2 Recommendation: Kyoto Geisha Matcha - "Ceremonial" Matcha
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Taste: Well-balanced flavor with umami
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $24.99
Other note: The "Ceremonial" from Kyoto Geisha Matcha is ideal for those who want to enjoy organic matcha on a daily basis. The best use of this matcha is making lattes and tea.
This matcha is primarily a blend of the "Yabukita" cultivar, which is widely grown in Japan.
It is made from organic tea leaves from Kyoto and Kagoshima, which are hand-harvested during the first harvest.
With its balanced flavor and refined aroma, this matcha adds relaxation and comfort to your daily matcha routine.
It is recommended for those who want to experience the umami and sweetness of matcha.
#3 Ippodo Premium Organic Matcha
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Taste: Undertones of sweetness and umami balance out the pleasant bitterness and astringency.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Size: 0.7 oz/20g
Price: $40
Other note: Some of the best matcha is produced by Ippodo, a tea company based in Kyoto that has been the industry standard for tea since 1717. Its Ummon matcha has a rich umami flavor, a beautiful emerald green color, and a strong fragrance. Since it's naturally sweet, I like to drink it as a tea with water rather than mixed with milk. It quickly foams and sifts easily when whisked vigorously, leaving no clumps behind and producing a silky texture. This one is freshly packaged in Japan and has a relatively short shelf life—Ippodo recommends consuming it within a month of opening. We recommend going with the smaller container, even though it costs more, to make sure you can use it all while it's at its freshest.
#4 Akira Organic Ceremonial Matcha
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Taste: light and sweet with a mild earthiness.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $23.95
Other note: The organic, stone-ground Matcha Konomi powder is sourced from Japan's highly regarded Uji region. One Uji match "tends to have more depth to the flavor; it can be very savory," according to Michelle Puyane, co-founder of Chalait. The other two well-liked areas are Shizuoka, which is milder and neutral, and Kagoshima, which may be grassier and lighter in flavor.
#5 Chamberlain Coffee Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder
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Taste: A subtle bitterness is emphasized by sweetness and umami.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Shizuoka, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $24.00
Other note: This product is promoted by influencers, Emma Chamberlain's namesake brand produces excellent matcha. The company also sells matcha with flavors like chocolate, mango, and Madagascar vanilla. Even though we generally avoid added flavorings, these are delicate and excellent for someone who usually finds matcha to be too bitter or grassy. It works best for smoothies and lattes.
#6 Kyoto Dew Ceremonial Grade Matcha
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Taste: balanced grassy and earthy notes, a smooth and creamy flavor
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $29
Other note: Kyoti Dew Matcha is made from 100% pure organic matcha powder without any additives, Kyoto Dew Matcha has an organic certification. It offers jitter-free energy for four to six hours and has 137 times the antioxidant content of a typical cup of green tea. Originating from Kyoto, Uji region, matcha is grown in shade to improve its flavor and nutritional content.
#7 Matchaful Hikari Single Origin Ceremonial Matcha
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Taste: gentle, flowery sweetness
Grade: Ceremonial Origin: Shizuoka, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $35
Other note: Matchaful was founded by Hannah Habes with the goal of importing high-quality, sustainable matcha directly from Japan. As part of its Farm-to-Whisk program, Matchaful partners with a fourth-generation farm that produces electricity for nearby towns by shading its pesticide-free tea plants with solar panels. Although this brand also offers culinary and ceremonial blends, its single-origin collection is its strongest point. The sun-dappled estate in Shizuoka, Japan is the only source of Hikari Single Origin Matcha powder, which has a "creamy palette with tasting notes of walnut, lemon, and butter." For those who would rather try just one cultivar, the Farm-to-Whisk estate also produces Kiwami Single Cultivar Matcha, made from the Okumidori tea variety. It is well known for its delicate, flowery sweetness.
#8 Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha
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Taste: balanced flavor, earthy sweetness, smoothness, and velvetiness
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $ 21.99
Other note: Even though there are many different matcha latte mixes, Encha asserts that it is the only company "offering a latte grade using first harvest pure and organic matcha powder." While other latte mixes typically contain later-season matcha made from tougher, more bitter leaves, which gives them an earthier taste, this mix is full of the good stuff. Although some reviewers describe the taste of bitterness, the majority characterize it as smooth, naturally sweet, and very easy to blend. Encha offers a 100% money-back guarantee on the blend because it is that confident in its matcha.
#9 Jade Leaf Ceremonial Grade Matcha
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Taste: Remarkably smooth, with a light nutty flavor and floral sweetness.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji & Kagoshima, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $25.95
Other note: Ceremonial and culinary grade matcha are available from Jade Leaf. A GH Tea Award has been given to the company's Teahouse Edition Matcha Powder. It is made from tea leaves that grow in shade and were originally collected from the matcha-growing regions of Kagoshima and Uji. The grassy undertones were noted by analysts, who also praised the creamy, lingering flavor. One commenter said, "Happy to drink it without any milk or sweetener," This option is USDA-certified organic, CCOF-certified organic, and Whole30-approved for dieters. Each serving contains roughly 30 to 40 milligrams of caffeine or one-third of a cup of coffee.
#10 "Pure Zen" Premium Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder
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Taste: a smooth, mild, sweet & pleasant umami flavor with no bitterness.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Kyoto
Size: 1 oz/30g
Price: $24.95
Other note: Carefully crafted, Matcha Moon Kyoto Uji Matcha Pure Zen is an experience rather than just a tea. Tencha leaves are used to make Moon's matcha, which is then meticulously stone-ground to retain its subtle flavors and scents. Each sip captures the essence of young, fresh leaves with a smooth, sweet texture that is free of bitterness, providing an unmatched taste experience. This matcha is a representation of the abundance of nature, free of pesticides, additives, artificial coloring, and fragrance. Matcha Moon Kyoto Uji Matcha Pure Zen promises to take your tea ritual to the next level, whether it is sipped as a strong brew or as a mild infusion.
#11 Naoki Matcha
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Taste: Balanced and slightly, and a bit on the sweeter side.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Size: 1.4 oz/40g
Price: $25
Other note: Matcha of the Naoki ceremonial grade is smooth and mildly bitter. It's also a good option for lattes and can be made with more water to make "thin matcha tea," as the company recommends. It is grown in the famous matcha region of Uji, Japan, and is made from leaves from the first harvest, which are valued for their high quality and flavor. This was one of our nutrition experts' top picks because of its well-rounded flavor profile. The company asserts that the Japanese government also conducts independent purity tests and that each tea crop is inspected for a "different source of contamination (including radiation and heavy metals)".
#12 Matchabar Matcha Powder
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Taste: -
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Nishio, Japan
Size: 1.05 oz/30g
Price: $20
Other note: In 2014, brothers Max and Graham Fortgang launched their Brooklyn MatchaBar. Despite closing its physical location, MatchaBar has shifted its focus to selling its unique ceremonial and culinary matcha blends online. Even their Culinary Matcha Powder is made from first-harvest tea leaves, and the twins collaborate with family farms in Kagoshima, Japan. But the highlight is MatchaBar's blend of Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder. Its earthy flavor works particularly well in hot and iced matcha lattes, but it's also good enough to make in the traditional Usucha fashion.
Try Different Matcha and Taste It!
You can find a lot of other great-quality matcha online. I recommend trying a different variety of matcha to find out what taste you like. For instance, You might find out you like a more balanced taste between bitterness and sweetness, etc. I hope It going to be a fun journey for you to get to know Matcha well!
Written by Admin Irasshai
