Matcha

How to Identify High-Quality Products

The selection of matcha products is diverse which can make the decision difficult: When you buy high-quality matcha online, you should pay attention to some basics. Authentic matcha comes from Japan. Tea leaves are shaded with special nets for up to five weeks before harvest and then hand plucked. 

The aroma that results from the shading is incomparable and tastes intensely umami. During processing, the stems are sorted out, and only the purest leaf flesh is used for authentic matcha. This is what distinguishes high-quality matcha. Only shaded green tea is real matcha. Unfortunately, other green teas that are also ground are sometimes offered as matcha. However, they do not have such an exceptional taste and fine quality. As quality assurance online, you can pay attention to the origin and organic certifications. 

What Quality Levels of Matcha Are There?

The finer the powder is ground, the higher the quality of matcha. When opening a matcha tin, a cloud of powder rises from it. This is how you can recognize good matcha tea. If enough time goes into the grinding process and the tea leaves are carefully processed, this has a noticeable effect on product quality. The fine texture immediately suffers if larger quantities of tea leaves are quickly ground under time pressure. You don't have to worry if clumps form. This merely means that the fine powder has become electrostatically charged. 

We divide our matcha into three different grades. These differ mainly in their harvest times, taste and intended use: Daily Matcha, like our SHINTO MATCHA N°320, is for your daily matcha enjoyment. Culinary Matcha, like our MAHŌ MATCHA N°308, is made from leaves harvested in the autumn and thus has higher astringency. This slightly bitter taste makes it excellent for cooking recipes and baking. The highest quality is found in Ceremonial Matcha, like our KONOMI DO MATCHA N°321: It is made from the tea leaves of the first harvest in spring and is traditionally enjoyed during Japanese tea ceremonies. Its taste is minimally bitter and has an exceptional creamy sweetness. Therefore, we prefer to enjoy Ceremonial Matcha pure to savor its full-bodied flavors. 

Price as a Quality Indicator

The price can be a reliable quality factor for matcha. A tin with 30g of matcha usually starts at €20. For this price, you get irresistible taste with full-bodied creamy notes: a green bowl of pure happiness. And we think this ritual is worth its price. Matcha that is cheaper usually lacks outstanding quality and aroma. Top matcha is recognized by its incomparable taste.

What Should You Be Paying Attention to When Buying Matcha Online?

Matcha tea can be found in different qualities. An organic certification is an indication of good quality. When buying online, make sure that the brand uses packaging with European seals and ideally a description in English. The local brand you trust stands behind the diligent control of its products and high standard quality management. This way, you can enjoy your matcha without worries. 

Real matcha is made from Tencha, which are tea leaves shaded under nets for up to five weeks before being harvested. Unlike Sencha, which is exposed to the sun until harvest, Tencha develops a unique flavor through shading. Then matcha is produced in a refined process, where the green tea is first steamed and then ground on stone mills. Excellent quality that you can taste when you prepare your matcha.

Trust Matcha Reviews & Ratings

Another aspect to pay attention to when buying matcha online is positive user reviews. Who can you trust more than other satisfied matcha fans? If you read the matcha reviews at PAPER & TEA, you get a comprehensive picture of our high standards for our products. For an authentic experience, we source our matchadirectly from our partners in Japan.

Pay Attention to Matcha Certifications & Its Origin

To enjoy high-quality matcha, you should particularly consider two factors: the country of origin and the appropriate matcha certification. All matcha from PAPER & TEA are organic teas with European organic certification. Our matcha teas come from controlled cultivation and are harvested, processed and produced with years of experience and the greatest care in Japan.

Buy Matcha Online

Are you wondering if a direct purchase from tea plantations is worthwhile? There are many specialty stores and online retailers that import matcha directly. It is important that it is genuine Japanese matcha tea. At PAPER & TEA, we source our matcha directly from our long-term partners in Japan, who put a lot of dedication, precision and passionate craftsmanship into every harvest in Kagoshima every year. Read more about our journey to Japan to the origins of matcha in our Origin Stories.

Enjoy Your Matcha Purchase

If you consider all these factors in your matcha purchase decision, nothing stands in the way of enjoyable moments. The authentic green tea from Japan gives you a power boost for the day and transports you to other worlds. As with all products: good quality has its price. Pay attention to organic certifications and the origin of your matcha for an optimal tea experience that you can't get enough of.