Matcha Grades and Characteristics

Have you ever felt difficult to choose matcha since there are the numerous grades and types?

Matcha, deeply rooted in Japanese culture, captivates not only people in Japan but also people around the world with its charm. In fact, there are several grades of matcha, each with distinct characteristics.

Furthermore, these grades are essential elements when selecting matcha.

In this article, we will focus on the grades of matcha and provide a detailed introduction to the characteristics of each.

Learn about the different grades of matcha through this article, and use this knowledge to choose the matcha that suits your taste and intended use.

Matcha Grades

Matcha is broadly classified into three grades: 'Ceremonial Grade Matcha,' 'Daily Grade Matcha,' and 'Culinary Grade Matcha.' These grades are determined by color, texture, and quality, and the appropriate setting for each grade also varies.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha

First, let's introduce "Ceremonial Grade Matcha."

Ceremonial Grade Matcha is intended for drinking and is the grade that allows you to fully enjoy the original taste of matcha.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha is made from the first sprouts of the year, known as "first flush" tea leaves. These leaves are also referred to as "new tea" and are considered the most luxurious and highest quality leaves of the year.

This highest grade of matcha, Ceremonial Grade Matcha, is made by removing the stems and veins from these rare first flush leaves and carefully grinding them with a stone mill.

The recommended use for Ceremonial Grade Matcha is to drink it as is. To fully savor the taste of matcha, simply whisk it with water without adding anything else.

It is also the matcha used in the tea ceremony, a popular experience among foreigners visiting Japan, making it the most suitable for tasting the essence of matcha.

WHAT IS CEREMONIAL MATCHA?

While there are types of matcha used for cooking, Ceremonial Grade Matcha, with its delicate flavor, is not suited for such uses.

Because it is relatively expensive, it is common to use the later-mentioned Culinary Grade Matcha for recipes that require a large amount of matcha in sweets and beverages.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha is recommended for those who want to enjoy authentic matcha at home or host important guests, making it an ideal choice for a genuine matcha experience.

Daily Grade Matcha

"Daily Grade Matcha" is made from the second flush of leaves picked after the first flush, or a blend of first and second flushes.

Also known as premium matcha or traditional grade matcha, this type of matcha falls between the previously mentioned Ceremonial Grade Matcha and the Culinary Grade Matcha to be introduced later.

Daily Grade Matcha has a balanced level of umami and comparatively less bitterness, making it suitable for direct consumption. Additionally, its stronger flavor compared to Ceremonial Grade Matcha makes it well-suited for matcha lattes and cocktails, as it pairs well with other drinks.

With a more affordable price than Ceremonial Grade Matcha, and still retaining sufficient flavor and nutritional value, it is, as the name suggests, recommended for daily consumption.

Culinary Grade Matcha

The last type to introduce is "Culinary Grade Matcha."

Culinary Grade Matcha differs from Ceremonial Grade Matcha and Daily Grade Matcha in that it does not use first flush leaves but is made from second flush or autumn flush leaves.

Leaves picked after the first flush are less sweet and have less umami compared to the first flush, but they are exposed to sunlight longer and are therefore richer in catechins.

Culinary Grade Matcha is also ground more quickly than other grades, resulting in coarser particles and a gritty texture. This texture, along with its strong astringency and bitterness, makes it unsuitable for drinking.

However, its coarse particles and the strong astringency and bitterness provide an excellent presence as accents in dishes and sweets made with matcha.

Although Culinary Grade Matcha is cheaper than Ceremonial Grade Matcha and Daily Grade Matcha, it is not of lower quality and is indispensable for cooking and baking, making it essential for recipes that use matcha.

Matcha Grades and Characteristics

The three grades of matcha introduced so far differ not only in taste but also in aroma and color.

While there are similarities, you can see that each grade of matcha has distinct characteristics in aroma, taste, and color.

As mentioned earlier, the intended uses also vary by grade.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha is suitable for drinking as is, but other types of matcha are perfect for use in other beverages, cooking, and sweets.

At MATCHA DIRECT, we feature recommended recipes that use matcha.

We have prepared a variety of sweets, desserts, and drinks made with matcha, so please enjoy them with our matcha.

Matcha Recipes | MATCHA DIRECT

Components Contained in Each Matcha Grade

We have discussed the three grades of matcha and their characteristics, but what components are contained in each grade?

Ceremonial Grade Matcha, made from first flush tea leaves, contains a high amount of theanine.

Theanine is a flavor component of tea that is abundant in high-quality teas. One reason for the high cost of Ceremonial Grade Matcha is the presence of this component.

Daily Grade Matcha and Culinary Grade Matcha, which are made from the second flush and later harvests, contain a high amount of catechins, which are antioxidants.

Thus, the components contained in matcha vary by grade, so please use this information as one of the points to consider when choosing your matcha.

Matcha from MATCHA DIRECT

At MATCHA DIRECT, we aim for everyone to enjoy the authentic taste of matcha, offering a wide variety of matcha centered around Ceremonial Grade Matcha.

We grind the matcha individually after receiving each order, ensuring that we deliver matcha with exceptional freshness.

https://matchadirect.kyoto/products/ceremonial-grade-matcha

Summary

Matcha is a traditional Japanese beverage known for its deep flavor and rich nutritional value.

Its popularity has crossed seas, and the market size for matcha continues to expand globally.

We have discussed the grades of matcha thus far, but even within each grade, the quality can vary based on the quality of the tea leaves used, their freshness, grade, and the brand.

Please use the guide on how to choose grades and our recommended matchas that we introduced this time to find the matcha that suits your taste and fully enjoy the world of matcha.