Buy Matcha - these Matcha quality levels are available

Matcha drinkers quickly realize that not all matcha is created equal. The different matcha grades differ significantly in color, flavor, and texture—and this determines how intense your tea experience will be.

Genuine, high-quality matcha comes almost exclusively from Japan. There, it is cultivated in carefully tended tea gardens and traditionally ground into a fine powder in granite stone mills. A bright, rich green color is often considered an indication of a fresh harvest and careful processing. If the powder is yellowish or dull, it is usually of a lower quality, which can have a stronger, sometimes bitter, taste.

In addition to the color, the texture is also crucial: The finer the powder, the better it dissolves and the creamier the foam will be when preparing your matcha with a chasen or milk frother. Coarser powder, on the other hand, quickly leaves lumps and the flavor is less harmonious.

The scent can also be revealing—a fresh, slightly sweet smell often indicates better quality. Muffled or earthy notes, on the other hand, indicate lower matcha quality.

So, if you want to buy the best matcha, you shouldn't just look at the price, but rather pay close attention: color, texture, and aroma are crucial indicators. The right quality ensures that your matcha experience is mild, creamy, and well-balanced.

Buying Matcha: What really matters

The selection of matcha is vast—from inexpensive supermarket offerings to exclusive varieties from traditional Japanese gardens . But how do you know which variety is right for you? The variety can quickly seem overwhelming, especially for beginners.

An important starting point is the matcha quality grade. These provide information about how the tea leaves were grown, harvested, and processed—and ultimately determine how intense your matcha tastes, how creamy it is when brewed, and what price you can expect.

It's important to remember that not every occasion calls for the most expensive grade. For smoothies or baking, for example, a cheaper grade is suitable, while for a purist tea experience, the fine Ceremonial grades are recommended.

The origin also plays a role. Traditionally, Japanese matcha from regions like Uji or Nishio is considered a benchmark for high quality. Also, make sure it's packaged in a way that protects it from light and air to preserve the powder's delicate properties for as long as possible.

Tea expert Dr. Aiko Yamamoto sums it up aptly:
"Knowing the quality of your matcha not only determines the taste, but also whether each bowl becomes a true moment of enjoyment."

With this knowledge, you are well prepared to learn about the five most important matcha quality levels – and to find out which one best suits your taste and your everyday life.

The 5 Matcha quality levels explained

1. Culinary Grade Matcha

The first grade many encounter when buying matcha is the so-called kitchen grade, also known as culinary grade. This is primarily intended for use in food and beverage preparation where matcha is not consumed neat. Typical applications include smoothies, matcha lattes, baking recipes, or ice cream. Here, matcha brings its vibrant green color and imparts a slightly bitter, earthy flavor to dishes.

Visually, this quality level is evident in the fact that the powder usually has a pale, yellowish-green, or even dull green color. The texture is also coarser, making it harder to froth and more likely to clump. Culinary Grade has a strong, sometimes slightly bitter, and less complex flavor. It is therefore not ideal for pure enjoyment with water—it lacks the creamy smoothness and typical umami notes that characterize high-quality matcha varieties.

This category is the most affordable in terms of price. However, for those who want to experiment or use matcha in a variety of ways in the kitchen, Culinary Grade is still a good choice. Those who make smoothies with fruit or milk alternatives will especially appreciate the bitter note, as it's balanced out by the other ingredients.

Tip: When buying matcha, make sure it's kitchen-grade and made from Japan, if possible, without additives. This way, you can be sure that your matcha not only provides a beautiful color but also remains authentic.

2. Standard Quality Matcha

Anyone who begins to explore matcha more intensively and wants to try it not only in recipes but also as a beverage will quickly come across the standard grade. This level lies between the affordable kitchen grade and the higher-quality premium varieties. It's suitable for anyone who wants to buy matcha without investing too much right away—but still wants to experience an authentic taste.

Visually, standard matcha is usually a medium green, which appears more vibrant than kitchen-grade, but not as brightly intense as premium or ceremonial grades. The texture is finer than Culinary Grade, but doesn't always dissolve completely. A milk frother or bamboo whisk can still produce a nice, albeit not quite as creamy, foam.

The Standard Grade tastes balanced: less bitter than Culinary Grade, but also not as velvety and complex as higher-quality grades. It's well-suited for matcha lattes, iced teas, or even on its own if you'd like to experience the flavor first.

Many beginners prefer this grade because it offers good value for money and bridges the gap to pure matcha enjoyment. However, those who value a subtle umami note and a particularly velvety mouthfeel should consider investing in premium quality next time they buy.

Tip: Standard matcha is a good choice for everyday enjoyment if you're still trying to figure out which flavor nuances you like best.

3. Premium quality

Premium quality is considered the most popular category for those who want to enjoy matcha regularly and value a harmonious interplay of taste, color and texture.

Premium matcha is visually appealing, with its rich, vibrant green color—a testament to the careful shading of the tea plants and gentle processing. Its fine texture ensures that the powder froths particularly easily, forming a creamy foam typical of high-quality matcha .

Premium matcha has a balanced and mild flavor with a pleasant umami note. It is significantly less bitter than standard grade matcha, yet not as exclusive or expensive as ceremonial grade. This makes it ideal for connoisseurs seeking a well-rounded taste experience without reaching the top price range.

A study published in the Journal of Food Science (Kochman et al., 2020) found that matcha from early harvests contains significantly higher amounts of L-theanine and catechins than later harvests. This explains why premium matcha is often perceived as more intense and balanced than standard grades.

This level is especially popular with those who enjoy their tea neat, but also occasionally use it in matcha lattes or creative recipes. Premium matcha offers sufficient depth and creaminess to be convincing in any preparation method.

Tip: Premium Matcha is a great starting point if you want to expand your matcha journey beyond standard quality. It combines excellent taste with a fair price—making it the ideal choice for everyday enjoyment.

4. Ceremonial Grade

The Ceremonial quality is considered the epitome of Japanese tea culture and stands for elegance, purity and an incomparable taste experience.

Ceremonial Matcha typically comes from the first pickings of the year. Only the most delicate tea leaves are carefully harvested by hand, stripped of stems and veins, and then gently ground into the finest powder in granite stone mills. The result is an exceptionally silky texture that whips effortlessly. Simply stirring with hot water produces a thick, creamy foam that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

The appearance also clearly distinguishes this matcha from lower grades: The powder shines in an intense, jade-green hue. The taste is full-bodied, harmonious, and characterized by a pronounced umami note. Bitterness or harsh nuances, such as those found in standard or kitchen grades, are hardly present here.

The Japanese tea expert Prof. Keiko Tanaka describes Ceremonial Matcha as follows:
"No other matcha combines so much craftsmanship, tradition, and depth of flavor. Each bowl is an experience for all the senses."

Tigogreen's Matcha Vitality Drink is based on high-quality Ceremonial Grade Matcha and enhanced with seven natural B vitamins, collagen, and L-theanine from green tea extract—for an experience that takes this quality to a new level.

Order Ceremonial Grade Matcha – and experience the difference

5. Supreme/Competition Grade

At the pinnacle of matcha quality is Supreme or Competition Grade. This category is rare, particularly exclusive, and is primarily presented at Japanese tea competitions. The leaves for Supreme Grade come almost exclusively from the first harvest and are carefully selected by hand. Only the youngest, most delicate leaves are processed—each harvest is strictly limited. After traditional shading and hand-picking, the leaves are freed of veins and stems and ground into an ultrafine powder in slow-grinding granite stone mills.

The result is an intense, vibrant jade green that impresses as soon as the can is opened. Supreme Grade tastes particularly smooth, full-bodied, and sweet with a pronounced umami note. Even the finest nuances are noticeable—a difference that connoisseurs recognize immediately. The foamy head when whipped is also particularly thick and creamy, further enhancing the enjoyment.

Due to its exclusivity, Supreme Grade is only available in small quantities and is correspondingly expensive. It's therefore less suitable for everyday use—rather, it's a choice for special occasions or for those who want to experience matcha in its finest form.

Tip: If you've only tried standard or premium grade matcha before, you'll immediately notice the difference with Supreme Grade—both in color and taste.

Science & Impact: Why Quality Makes the Difference

The various Matcha quality grades differ not only in color and flavor, but also in their natural properties. The more carefully the cultivation and processing, the more intense the typical character of matcha .

A key aspect is the interaction of L-theanine and caffeine. This combination is often cited by experts as the reason for the special clarity and balance that many associate with matcha. Nutritionist Dr. Judith R. (Kyoto University) describes it this way:
“The synergy of caffeine and L-theanine gives matcha its distinctive character—clear-headed yet pleasantly smooth.”

Catechins also play a key role. Because matcha is made from the entire leaf and powdered, it contains significantly higher amounts of EGCG than many conventional green teas.

Last but not least, the intense green of high-quality varieties contributes significantly to the overall impression. Professor Kenji Nakamura, an expert on Japanese tea culture, explains:
"The vibrant color is far more than aesthetics—it reflects the careful shading and harvesting that define the character of high-quality matcha."

This makes it clear: choosing a higher quality level not only determines the taste, but also the depth and experience that each bowl offers.

Your daily ritual with the Matcha Vitality Drink

A moment of ceremony. A pleasure that revitalizes body and mind – for greater clarity and radiance. The Tigogreen Matcha Vitality Drink combines traditional Japanese tea culture with selected modern nutrients and a delicate, natural sweetness.

The basis is the finest organic ceremonial grade matcha from Japan, supplemented by:

·       7 natural B vitamins

·       1000 mg collagen per serving

·       106 mg L-theanine from green tea extract

·       Vanilla and coconut milk powder for a creamy, smooth taste

This makes every cup more than just a drink – a conscious ritual that accompanies you throughout the day.

As tea expert Dr. Aiko Yamamoto says:
“Ceremonial Matcha in this form is an experience for all the senses—elegant, balanced, and contemporary.”

Conclusion

Matcha is far more than a trend—it's an expression of culture, mindfulness, and artisanal precision. The various matcha grades demonstrate how dramatically the taste, color, and texture can differ—from simple kitchen-grade to the rare Supreme Grade.

Which grade is right for you depends entirely on your daily routine and personal preferences. While Kitchen and Standard Grades are good choices for smoothies, lattes, or recipes, Premium and Ceremonial Grades reveal their special appeal for purist enjoyment. Finally, the exclusive Supreme Grade is the choice for those who want to experience matcha in its finest form.

It's crucial that you know the differences – this way you can find the quality that suits your taste and enriches your personal matcha ritual.

 

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14518774/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21040626/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9792400/

https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-023-00394-0