Tea & Matcha Guides

Discover our premium matcha from Kyoto and Kagoshima. Each grade is carefully crafted for its specific use—whether it's for tea ceremonies, lattes, or culinary creations. 🍃 Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha (For Tea Ceremony) Powder Color: Deep and darker green Taste: Creamy and sweet with umami flavor. No bitterness. Cultivar: Sae-midori, Oku-midori Picking Method: 1st harvest only Shop Ceremonial Grade Matcha ヤマサン オーガニック セレモニアルグレード抹茶（茶道用） 京都府・鹿児島県産抹茶 粉の色：濃く深い緑色 味わい：クリーミーで甘く、旨味が感じられる味わい。苦味は一切なし。 品種：さえみどり、奥みどり 摘み取り方法：一番茶のみ使用 ☕ Organic Cafe / Latte Grade Matcha (For Drinking with Milk or Coffee) Powder Color: Bright green Taste: Light sweetness with a slight bitterness at the end Cultivar: Yabukita, Oku-midori Picking Method: 1st and 2nd harvest mixed. Machine picking Shop Cafe Latte Grade Matcha ヤマサン オーガニック カフェ／ラテグレード抹茶（ミルクやコーヒーと一緒に楽しむ用） 粉の色：鮮やかな緑色 味わい：最初は軽やかな甘さが感じられ、後味にわずかな苦味あり 品種：やぶきた、奥みどり 摘み取り方法：一番茶と二番茶をブレンド、機械摘み 🍰 Organic Culinary Grade Matcha (For Baking, Desserts, and Ice Cream) Powder Color: Light green Taste: Sweetness and bitterness with a strong tea aroma Cultivar: Yabukita from Kagoshima Picking Method: 1st and 3rd harvest mixed. Machine picking Shop Culinary Grade Matcha ヤマサン オーガニック クッキンググレード抹茶（お菓子作りやデザート、アイスクリーム用） 粉の色：薄い緑色 味わい：甘さと苦味がバランスよく、濃いお茶の香り 品種：鹿児島県産やぶきた 摘み取り方法：一番茶と三番茶をブレンド、機械摘み 🔍 Key Differences Between Matcha Grades Color: 1st harvest leaves have vivid, deep blue-green color, while the 2nd and 3rd harvest leaves have more yellow and a faded color. Aroma: 1st harvest leaves contain a rich, roasted, chocolate-like, or nutty aroma, while the 2nd and 3rd harvest leaves have a weaker aroma and can lose it if improperly stored. Taste: 1st harvest leaves have more sweetness and umami, while 3rd harvest leaves tend to have a lot more bitterness. 色: 一番茶の葉は鮮やかで深い青緑色をしています。二番茶や三番茶は黄色味が強く、色が薄くなります。 香り: 一番茶の葉は豊かな香りを持ちます（焙煎のような香り、チョコレートのような香り、ナッツのような香りなど）。二番茶や三番茶の葉は香りが少なくなり、不適切な保存方法では香りが消えてしまうこともあります。 味: 一番茶の葉は甘さと旨味が豊富に含まれていますが、三番茶は苦味が多くなります。

Like many others, you've probably seen a wave of matcha videos circulating on social media. But what exactly is matcha, and how can you enjoy it the right way? At Yamasan Kyoto Uji, we're here to guide you through your perfect matcha experience. What Is Matcha? 🍵 Matcha is a finely ground Japanese green tea powder made from a tea leaf variety called Tencha. Interestingly, all types of Japanese tea—whether it's matcha, sencha, gyokuro, or hojicha—come from the same tea plant. What makes each tea unique is the way the leaves are processed after being picked. To create matcha, Tencha leaves are steamed to stop oxidation and preserve their vibrant color and nutrients. These leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder, creating the matcha we know and love. Ceremonial vs. Café Grade Matcha – What's the Difference? 🎌 You may have seen matcha labeled as either ceremonial or café grade. While all matcha comes from the same plant, these terms were created to help people better understand the different flavor profiles and ideal uses. Ceremonial Grade Matcha Vivid green with a bluish hue Strong tea aroma (nutty, roasted, or chocolatey) Made from first harvest tea leaves High astringency with subtle sweetness Premium quality, often more expensive Best enjoyed on its own with just hot water (ceremony-style, hence the name!) Café Grade Matcha More yellowish-green in color Milder aroma and flavor Usually made from second or third harvests Lower astringency but more bitterness More affordable and versatile Perfect for lattes, smoothies, or baking How Do You Make Traditional Matcha? 🎥 Want to learn how to prepare matcha the traditional way? Watch our step-by-step tutorial below: Matcha Is About Finding What Works for You ☀️ Remember: there's no right or wrong way to enjoy matcha. Everyone has their own preferences — whether you like it sweet, strong, in a latte, or in a traditional tea bowl. So explore, taste, and most importantly, have fun with your matcha journey! Be sure to check out our full Matcha Range! Explore Full Matcha Range

Health BenefitsMatcha vs Green Tea: Key Differences, Benefits, and How to Choose Both matcha and green tea come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. However, the difference between matcha and green tea lies in how the tea is grown, processed, prepared, and consumed. Matcha is a finely ground powder made from shade-grown tea leaves, while green tea (such as sencha) is made from sun-grown leaves that are brewed in water. These differences result in unique flavors, colors, and nutritional benefits. In this guide, we’ll explain matcha vs green tea in detail so you can understand which tea is right for you. Matcha vs Green Tea: Quick Comparison Category Matcha Green Tea (Sencha) Tea Plant Camellia sinensis Camellia sinensis Cultivation Shade-grown before harvest Grown in full sunlight Processing Stone-ground into fine powder Steamed, rolled, and dried Appearance Bright green powder Needle-shaped tea leaves Preparation Whisked in water Brewed in hot water Taste Rich umami, creamy Fresh, grassy Nutrition Whole leaf consumed Extract only Key Differences Between Matcha and Green Tea 1. Cultivation Method One of the biggest differences between matcha and green tea is the cultivation method. Matcha is made from tea leaves that are shade-grown for about 2–3 weeks before harvest. Farmers cover the tea plants to block sunlight, which increases L-theanine, the amino acid responsible for matcha’s rich umami flavor and vibrant green color. Green tea, such as sencha, is grown in full sunlight. Because of this, the tea develops higher catechin levels, giving it a more refreshing bitterness and grassy aroma. 2. Processing Method The production process is another key difference. Matcha is made from tea leaves called tencha. These leaves are steamed and dried without being rolled. After drying, they are slowly ground with traditional stone mills into a very fine powder. Green tea (especially sencha) undergoes a rolling process after steaming. Rolling shapes the leaves into thin, needle-like forms and helps release flavor during brewing. 3. Flavor and Drinking Experience The taste of matcha and green tea is noticeably different. Matcha has a rich, creamy texture with strong umami and mild bitterness. Because the tea is powdered, the flavor is concentrated and full-bodied. Green tea is lighter and more refreshing, with a delicate balance of sweetness, bitterness, and grassy notes. 4. Nutritional Differences Another important difference between matcha and green tea is how the nutrients are consumed. When drinking matcha, you ingest the entire tea leaf in powdered form. This means you receive higher amounts of nutrients such as: Antioxidants (catechins) L-theanine Vitamin A Vitamin E Dietary fiber Green tea is brewed by steeping leaves in water. As a result, you only consume the extracted compounds that dissolve into the water. Matcha vs Powdered Green Tea Many people confuse matcha with powdered green tea, but they are not the same. Powdered green tea is typically made by grinding regular green tea leaves, such as sencha. Because the leaves are not shade-grown, the flavor, color, and quality are different from authentic matcha. Authentic matcha is always made from shade-grown tencha leaves that are stone-ground into powder. Matcha vs Green Tea: Which Is Better? Choosing between matcha and green tea depends on your preference. Choose matcha if you want: Rich umami More nutrients Creamy texture Choose green tea if you prefer: Light and refreshing Traditional brewing Lower caffeine Both teas are essential parts of Japanese tea culture and offer unique health benefits. ...Recommended Matcha Add to 30g cart Add to 50g cart ...Recommended Green tea Add to 80g cart Add to 80g cart Final Thoughts Although matcha and green tea come from the same plant, their cultivation, processing, flavor, and nutritional profiles are very different. Matcha offers a rich, concentrated tea experience, while green tea provides a light and refreshing beverage enjoyed daily across Japan. Whether you enjoy a bowl of traditional matcha or a cup of freshly brewed green tea, both drinks bring the taste of authentic Japanese tea culture into your home.