Ceremonial Matcha vs Culinary Matcha

Have you ever wondered about the difference between ceremonial matcha vs culinary matcha? Although matcha has grown greatly in popularity over the last 10 years, it has a rich history that goes back to over 1,000 years ago. Japanese tea farmers developed matcha, a finely ground green tea powder derived from whole leaves and cherished for its health-promoting properties. 

Zen monks cherished matcha as an aid to enhance concentration during extended meditation sessions. Samurai warriors consumed it to achieve heightened mental acuity and lucidity before combat.  

Today, countless individuals worldwide continue to appreciate matcha for its delightful taste, in addition to its beneficial impact on emotional well-being, vitality, and overall health. 

Quick facts about ceremonial grade matcha:

• Ceremonial matcha has over 137 times more antioxidants than that of green tea
• It’s known for helping create a “calm focus” which is due to l-theanine levels
• Ceremonial matcha contains catechins which aid in nutrient absorption, microbiome health and have cancer fighting properties
• Matcha and green tea have anti-viral properties that some studies have shown to provide protection in settings where there are high rates of viral respiratory infection (1, 2)
• Ceremonial matcha is a top source of EGCG which supports cognitive health and reduced inflammation

Ceremonial Matcha vs Culinary Matcha

Matcha, a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, has been used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries. However, in recent years, matcha has gained popularity in the Western world for its health benefits, unique flavor, and versatility in the kitchen.

If you’re new to the world of matcha, you may have noticed that there are two different types available: ceremonial grade and culinary grade. But what exactly is the difference between ceremonial matcha vs culinary matcha? And which one should you choose for your needs? Which offers the best quality and nutrition benefits?

In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between ceremonial grade and culinary grade matcha, so you can make an informed decision on which one to use.

What is Ceremonial Matcha?

Ceremonial matcha is made from the highest quality tea leaves, usually the youngest and most tender leaves of the tea plant. These leaves are carefully grown, harvested, and processed to produce a fine, vibrant green powder with a delicate flavor and smooth texture.

Ceremonial matcha is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, where it is prepared with hot water and enjoyed as a simple, yet elegant, drink. This type of matcha has a subtle sweetness, a slightly vegetal taste, and a smooth finish.

Did you know there can even be variances in quality with ceremonial grade matcha? Some growers use the practice of “honzu” which is shading the leaves in the weeks prior to picking them to enhance both quality, color and nutrition. Read at the end about what makes our matcha special.

What is Culinary Matcha?

Culinary matcha, on the other hand, is made from older, more mature tea leaves that are less expensive and easier to cultivate. The processing of culinary matcha is less meticulous than that of ceremonial grade, resulting in a coarser powder with a darker green color.

As the name suggests, culinary matcha is primarily used for cooking and baking, rather than drinking as a standalone tea. It has a stronger, more bitter flavor than ceremonial matcha, which makes it more suitable for use in recipes such as lattes, smoothies, cakes, and pastries.

Key Differences Between Ceremonial Matcha vs Culinary Matcha

Here’s a summary of the main differences between ceremonial matcha vs culinary matcha:

1. Quality and Flavor: Ceremonial grade matcha is made from higher quality leaves, resulting in a smoother texture and more delicate flavor. Culinary grade matcha has a stronger, more bitter flavor.
2. Nutrition Quality: Ceremonial grade matcha has higher antioxidant levels than culinary grade due to how early it’s picked.
3. Color and Texture: Ceremonial grade matcha has a vibrant green color and fine texture, while culinary grade matcha has a darker green color and coarser texture.
4. Use: Ceremonial grade matcha is ideal for drinking as a standalone tea, while culinary grade matcha is best used in recipes and beverages that require additional ingredients.
5. Price: Due to the higher quality leaves and more meticulous processing, ceremonial grade matcha is typically more expensive than culinary grade matcha.

Which Matcha Grade Should You Choose?

The choice between ceremonial and culinary matcha ultimately depends on how you plan to use it. If you want to experience matcha as a traditional Japanese tea, then ceremonial grade is the way to go. However, if you’re looking to incorporate matcha into your cooking or baking, then culinary grade should do the trick.

Remember, while ceremonial grade matcha may be pricier, its high quality and delicate flavor make it well worth the investment if you’re interested in savoring it as a tea. On the other hand, culinary matcha is a more budget-friendly option that still provides many of the health benefits of matcha, making it perfect for everyday use in your favorite recipes.

So, whether you’re a matcha connoisseur looking for a high-quality tea or a home cook who wants to add a unique flavor to your dishes, there’s a matcha grade out there to suit your needs.

Looking for a matcha

Our matcha is produced in Uji City near Kyoto, Japan, the birthplace of matcha tea traditions and a region is known for its bright color and rich flavor and is often considered Japan’s best. 

Our matcha is “shade grown” – meaning it’s grown in the shade for the last 20 days before harvest which helps to enhance the bright emerald green color due to cholorophyll, increases antioxidant levels and boosts amino acids like l-theanine (responsible for matcha’s “calm focus”).

We test matcha for bacteria, yeast, mold and over 500 pesticides and heavy metals. Our matcha even meets the rigorous california standards for heavy metals. Our matcha is grown without the use of pesticides and is verified to have potent concentrations of antioxidants, l-theanine and theobromine.