Do you have the full scoop on what’s in your teacup? When it comes to matcha, you certainly should — because where your matcha comes from can make all the difference.
What Does Ceremonial-Grade Matcha Mean?
What exactly is ceremonial-grade matcha? To understand the significance of the term, we first need to give a little background: Matcha can either be prepared as a thin tea (called “usucha” in Japan) or thick tea (known as “koicha”). Most everyday matcha is made in the thin-tea style, but koicha is used for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
Ceremonial-grade matcha is distinguished from other types of matcha as a superior class of matcha that can be used for koicha, or thick-tea preparation. This higher quality tea offers a much more intense, rich experience in comparison to culinary-grade matcha.
While ceremonial-grade matcha is produced with sensory enjoyment in mind, most types of culinary-grade matcha are poorly processed, bitter, and dull in color. This is because culinary-grade matcha was designed to be used as an ingredient in foods like ice cream, baked goods, mochi, and more.
Ceremonial Tea Tradition
As the name suggests, ceremonial-grade matcha was once reserved solely for sacred rituals in Japan. Traditional Japanese preparation of ceremonial matcha involves a higher ratio of powder to water, creating a tea with a syrupy (not watery) consistency. The matcha powder and tea are slowly whisked together with a chasen matcha whisk made from bamboo.
Because this ceremonial preparation — known as koicha — creates a thick, rich tea, the smell and taste are amplified — highlighting the exclusive quality of the matcha. To complement the mild sweetness and umami flavor of the koicha, it is typically served with wagashi — small snacks that highlight the flavor of the koicha.
The Art of Growing Matcha
Picture a small, preserved tea farm at the base of breathtaking Mount Fuji. This environmentally protected land makes the ideal setting for growing matcha, and it’s where Pure Synergy’s ceremonial-grade matcha is grown and harvested.
Like all true matcha, ours is specially shade-grown. Covers are placed over the tea plants several weeks before harvest. This shading inhibits photosynthesis, allowing the plants to concentrate large amounts of chlorophyll and other nutrients in the leaves. This is what gives matcha its vibrant green color and intense concentration of antioxidants.
But there’s more to what makes our matcha a cut above the rest: Organic Matcha Power® is hand-harvested in early spring from only the youngest, sprouting leaves of the heirloom tea plants. Then, each leaf is inspected to make sure it meets ceremonial-grade matcha standards.
Of course, our ceremonial-grade matcha is carefully prepared in the ancient traditional manner, slowly cold-milled into an ultra-fine, jade-green powder on a patented, ceramic stone-tipped mill, then vacuum-packed to protect all of its uniquely nourishing properties.
The “Greenest” of all Green Teas
If you haven’t figured out by now, genuine, ceremonial-grade matcha is something that takes effort to produce and isn’t comparable to what you might find at local big box stores. Our certified organic matcha is reverently grown under the most pristine conditions, and is gently processed without the use of any solvents, chemicals, or other compromising substances. We regularly test our matcha to make sure you’re getting nothing but the purest, safest matcha, free of heavy metals or other contaminants.
An Antioxidant Powerhouse
Traditionally made, genuine matcha is packed with unique, potent antioxidants like the well-researched catechin EGCG that supports healthy aging. Scientific data reveals that the antioxidant capacity of matcha significantly exceeds that of standard green tea and top superfoods like acai berry, dark chocolate, and goji berries.
What Is the Best Ceremonial-Grade Matcha?
We’ve sung the praises of ceremonial-grade matcha, but there is a caveat: not all “ceremonial-grade” matcha is created equal. To make sure you’re actually getting genuine, high-quality matcha appropriate for koicha (or thick tea) preparation, you’ll need to do your homework.
As a rule, it’s important to only buy ceremonial-grade matcha that is from Japan, has been grown in the shade, is produced from Tencha tea leaves, and has been traditionally stone-ground.
If you want to learn more about the different types of green tea and where they come from, check out our post on the different types of green tea.
How Do You Matcha?
No doubt about it: Authentic, ceremonial-grade matcha is more than just tea, it’s an art. At Pure Synergy, our Organic Matcha Power® is a craft of tradition and love. In our estimation, less than 1% of all matcha matches up to the purity and quality of our, certified organic tea.
As the only company in the United States with exclusive rights to the ceremonial-grade matcha from our family-owned partner tea farm in Japan, we are proud to offer this high-quality tea to our customers.
Our vibrant green, silky smooth powder is ideal for whisking into your morning tea, your matcha latte, or afternoon smoothie. And if you’re looking for convenience or don’t love the taste of green tea, we also offer Organic Matcha Power® Capsules so you can get the same antioxidant and energy boost on the go.
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