What is matcha tea?
Favorite tea of Buddhist monks, samurai and Japanese emperors, matcha is a unique green tea, since it does not come in the form of dried leaves, but of emerald green powder. To obtain it, the tea leaves are crushed between two blocks of granite. It is enjoyed by frothing it in a bowl, using a bamboo whisk. Its great uniqueness lies in the fact that it is not only infused, but entirely ingested during tasting. A treat!
Why does matcha tea cost more than other teas?
Japanese green tea is on average more expensive than Chinese or Indian tea. This is due to several reasons, including the manufacturing method and the cost of labor which is very high in Japan. Compared to classic green tea, steps are added for matcha tea, such as shading tea plants at the end of their growth or grinding the tea leaves (the stems and veins of the leaf are removed), which require qualified workers. Furthermore, in Japan, the consumption of matcha has been elevated to the status of a true art, with the tea ceremony giving it its nobility. Which also affects its prestige and its price. Finally, as domestic demand for matcha tea is strong in Japan, and agricultural land is rare, exports remain limited. When they take place, the cost of transport is added to the bill. All of this makes Japanese matcha green tea particularly rare, prized and expensive. Moreover, matcha tea has many health benefits !
How do you recognize a good matcha?
When you order online or even in store, it is complicated to taste before buying. However, some available information is good evidence of the quality of matcha tea, and will justify its price. Thus, a good matcha will have been grown in Japan, where the country ensures strict quality control. In other Asian countries (China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam), which have launched its production, the quality will be less reliable. Indeed, without an internationally recognized name, they are free to call matcha, any other powdered green tea... which can give rise to some unpleasant surprises. If you can open the can, the color of the matcha tea will be a good indicator of its quality. The brighter the emerald green, the more it will be a guarantee of the freshness of the matcha tea. Conversely, a dull tea, even in yellow and brown hues, will be a bad sign, since the stems and veins will have been crushed with the rest of the tea leaves.
What are the different range levels of matcha tea?
Moving up the range, you will first find cooking matcha or culinary matcha. Made from the lowest leaves of the tea plant, or the third tea harvest, these less noble matcha are intended for pastry recipes or for making mixed drinks, because the taste is more bitter. Then, the premium matcha grade will ensure that only good quality tea leaves, from the second harvest, have been used. It is then a tasting tea, to be consumed pure, in order to feel its umami (a lasting and gentle aftertaste). Another name that sometimes appears: matcha ceremony tea designates an even higher quality tea, from the first harvest, used during the tea ceremony. Other brands will then develop their own even more high-end designations, “prestige”, “imperial” or “ultra premium”, sometimes to justify high prices. Marketing when you have us!
What is the price range of good matcha?
For a cooking matcha tea, you will find average prices around €130 to €200 per kilo (€13 to €20 per 100 grams). Then, it increases crescendo depending on the range of quality, and the use or not of organic farming. Thus, you can easily reach €300 to €500 per kilo (€30 to €50 per 100 g) for a good matcha. In Japan, the most expensive matcha, because it is rewarded with prizes, is sometimes priced at €2,000 per kilo!
Which matcha variety is the most expensive?
As explained a little above, ceremonial matcha tea is the most famous, because it contains the best tea leaves. This is logically the most expensive matcha. If, in addition to this, you opt for matcha tea from organic farming, you will obtain an even more quality product. But this organic, pesticide-free, environmentally friendly crop is subject to very strict international standards, which makes it more expensive.
Discover Kusmi Tea organic matcha tea!
At Kusmi, all the teas and infusions offered by the house are organic, packaged in France and packaged in an eco-responsible way. Our matcha tea, grown in Japan, is available in a 30 g box or in a 100 g refill (priced at €32.90 for 100 grams or €329 per kilo). The organic designation guarantees you numerous quality controls during the production and manufacturing of tea. Enough to be guaranteed to buy pesticide-free tea, raised with respect for the environment.
Our expert opinion on matcha tea
This green tea powder straight from Japan will delight the finest and most refined palates. Matcha tea is the crème de la crème of teas. Possessing multiple benefits, it is attributed with antioxidant, diuretic, draining and stimulating properties. Interesting, no?