Matcha grades: ceremonial, culinary and what the color tells you.

Matcha is green tea that is shaded before harvest, steamed, dried and stone-ground into a fine powder. Because you whisk the powder into water and drink it, you consume the whole leaf, which is why matcha is richer in caffeine, L-theanine and catechins than a cup of steeped green tea.

"Ceremonial" is not a grade

There is no official grading standard behind "ceremonial" or "culinary". The words are useful only as a hint: ceremonial usually means a first-harvest powder meant to be drunk on its own, culinary a stronger, cheaper powder for lattes and baking. Judge the powder itself instead.

What to look for

• Origin. Uji (Kyoto), Nishio (Aichi) and Kagoshima are the best-known Japanese regions. A seller should be able to name the region.
• Harvest. First-harvest (spring) leaf is sweeter and more vivid; later harvests are more bitter.
• Color. Bright, vivid green suggests careful shading and fresh powder. Dull, yellow or brown-green suggests a later harvest or old stock.
• Taste. Good matcha is grassy and savory (umami) with a gentle sweetness; harsh bitterness is a sign of lower quality.
• A lab result. Because you drink the whole leaf, ask for a heavy-metals result, lead in particular.

Caffeine

A gram of matcha typically contains a few dozen milligrams of caffeine, so a two-gram bowl is comparable to a small coffee. The L-theanine in matcha is often said to make the lift feel smoother; that is a common experience rather than a well-established effect.

Keeping it

Matcha fades quickly once opened. Keep it airtight, cold and dark, and use it within a month or two. Sift it before whisking to avoid lumps, and use water below boiling, around 175°F (80°C).

Sources

• Kochman J et al., Health benefits and chemical composition of matcha green tea: a review, Molecules, 2021.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a medical condition.