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Uji Matcha

抹茶

8.5/10 editor's score

Shade-grown tea leaf, steamed, dried and stone-ground into a fine powder. Uji near Kyoto is its historic home and the heart of the tea ceremony.

PowderedShade-grownWhisked
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Uji Matcha, top-down

What you need

2 g powderUji Matcha
70 ml water75 to 80°C
Whisk 0:301 steep
LiquorOpaque, vivid green with a fine froth
Served inChawan (tea bowl)

At a glance

Shade-grown tea leaf, steamed, dried and stone-ground into a fine powder.

CaffeineHigh~30 to 70 mg a serving, our estimate
Beginner fit7.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestMay (first flush)Bushes are covered for several weeks.
Pairs withWagashi, White chocolate, ShortbreadLess good with spicy food
Grown atLow hills, about 50 to 300 mUji, Kyoto
Served inChawan (tea bowl)Whisked and drunk from the bowl

About Uji Matcha

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe a rich, umami-sweet cup with a creamy texture. Lower grades taste more bitter and look duller 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

UjiKyotoJAPAN
Region
Uji, Kyoto 1
Leaf
Tencha: shaded, steamed, deveined 1
Shading
Several weeks before picking 1
Other areas
Nishio (Aichi), Kagoshima 1

More from Uji and Japan.

History and culture

Powdered tea came to Japan from China. The monk Eisai is credited with bringing Zen practices and tea seeds back in 1191 1.

Matcha became central to the Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, shaped by Sen no Rikyū in the 16th century 1.

Editor's score

8.5/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.5Origin & heritage: 9.5Availability: 9.0Value: 7.0Beginner-friendliness: 7.0Versatility: 9.5Flavour 8.5Heritage 9.5Availability 9.0Value 7.0Beginners 7.0Versatility 9.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Uji Matcha~30 to 70 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate for 1 to 2 g of powder. You drink the whole leaf, so caffeine depends on how much powder you use. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Matcha leaf is picked in spring, then ground to order. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Cultivars bred for shading, such as Okumidori, Samidori and Asahi 1.

How it is made
01Shading

Covers over the bushes.

02Plucking

Tender first flush.

03Steaming

Stops oxidation.

04Drying

Dried flat, not rolled.

05Deveining

Stems and veins removed: tencha.

06Stone-grinding

Ground into fine powder.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafVery fine, bright jade-green powder.
LiquorOpaque, vivid green with a fine froth.
After steeping
Wet leafNone: you drink the whole leaf.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Wagashi
  • White chocolate
  • Shortbread

Best avoided

  • Spicy food

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

"Ceremonial" and "culinary" are marketing terms, not official grades. Colour, smell and region matter more.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Bright green, not yellow or brown.
  2. Sweet, fresh smell.
  3. Avoid sugar-added "matcha" mixes.
FAQ
What is ceremonial grade?

A marketing term for higher-quality matcha. There is no official standard.

Can I use a spoon?

A bamboo whisk gives better froth, but a small milk frother works too.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from JapanUjiPowderedShade-grownWhisked

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Matcha". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matcha
  2. Wikipedia, "Japanese tea ceremony". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.