Understanding our matchas
Origin, grade, usage: everything you need to know to choose your matcha.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a Japanese powdered green tea made from shade-grown leaves known as tencha. This shading technique allows the leaves to develop chlorophyll, amino acids, and antioxidants, giving matcha its intense green color and mild flavor. Once dried, the leaves are ground into a fine powder, ready to be enjoyed on its own, in a latte, or incorporated into recipes.
Which matcha do you need?
For matcha lovers seeking a refined taste experience.
30g and 80g, 30g and 80g refills
Umami, macadamia nuts
Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
Okumidori and Saemidori
Usucha, Koicha or as a latte
Full-bodied, balanced, aromatic
€34.90 - €82.90
Find the full results of our laboratory analyses of our Le Prestigieux matcha
For beginners exploring the world of matcha with a milder option.
30g and 80g, 30g and 80g refills
Umami, hazelnut, cocoa, vanilla
Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
Okumidori and Yabukita
Usucha, Koicha or as a latte
Generous, radiant, charming
€29.90 - €73.90
Find the full results of our laboratory analyses of our L'Authentique matcha
For matcha lovers who prefer a pronounced Asian floral profile.
30g and 80g, 30g and 80g refills
Floral, umami, poppy
Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan
Yabukita
Usucha, Koicha or latte
Fresh, floral, bouquet-like
€24.90 - €62.90
Find the full results of our laboratory analyses of our L'Enchanteur matcha
Le Pâtissier - Culinary Matcha
For chefs, pastry chefs and discerning food lovers looking to elevate their recipes.
3.5oz
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Yame, Kyushu, Japan
Yabukita
In your recipes or in a latte
-
€34.90
Find the full results of our laboratory analysis of our Le Pâtissier matcha
How to choose your matcha?
It all depends on how you like it. Nature, simply whisked with hot water as usucha, Le Prestigieux reveals all its richness: silky, without bitterness, with a macadamia nut finish.
If you are discovering matcha, L’Authentique, mild and delicious, is ideal for your first cups.
In a latte, hot or iced, L’Enchanteur keeps all its fresh and lively character against the milk, while L’Authentique offers a rounder cup, with notes of cocoa and vanilla.
And for your pastries, smoothies or savory recipes, Le Pâtissier, our culinary matcha, keeps its taste and color even after cooking.
The expertise of our tea master
The tea master selects and blends the harvests to ensure a consistent
and balanced taste.
Each year, the quality of a matcha can vary depending on the climate and growing conditions, especially with single cultivars. Their role is therefore to taste and compare, in order to recreate the same aromatic signature.
This meticulous work, recognized by a prestigious award, combines exacting standards, consistency, and quality, while respecting nature and its variations.
Why is our matcha different?
- Our matchas are free from bitterness and added flavorings.
- They come directly from Japan.
- Sourced from passionate small-scale producers.
- Always fresh for optimal quality.
- Carefully hand-selected.
- Far removed from industrial production.
Questions/Answers
How much is your matcha?
Matcha requires exacting expertise: the tea plants are grown in the shade before harvest, then the leaves are sorted, stripped of their stems, and slowly ground between stone mills. There has also been a sharp increase in the price paid to Japanese producers since 2021: global demand is skyrocketing, while cultivated areas remain limited. At Nōka, we have not increased our prices in three years.
Why is matcha green?
A few weeks before harvest, the tea plants are grown in the shade. Deprived of sunlight, the leaves produce more chlorophyll, which gives them their intense green color. Immediately after picking, they are briefly steamed to stop oxidation and preserve their color. A bright, vibrant green is therefore a sign of quality, while a yellow or dull matcha is often of lower quality or oxidized.
Is your matcha bitter?
Good matcha shouldn't be bitter! Bitterness most often comes from two things. The first is water that is too hot: above 80°C, the bitter compounds take over. The second is lower-quality matcha: leaves that were poorly shaded, oxidized, or poorly sorted. Our ceremonial-grade matchas are selected for their smoothness and lack of bitterness. Prepare them with water between 70 and 80°C to reveal their full roundness.
7 beginner mistakes to avoid with matcha
How to store matcha?
A tip straight from our Japanese producers: refrigerate your matcha as soon as it arrives, even before opening. This delicate powder is sensitive to light, air, and heat. Seal the foil and lid tightly after each use, and keep it away from highly aromatic foods. Stored this way, it will retain its vibrant color and full flavor for 3 to 4 months after opening.