Matcha Grades: How to Choose Your Encha

All three grades of Encha are pure and organic matcha powder from Uji, Kyoto, Japan. We did over 100 times of taste testing using popular pairing ingredients (water, almond/coconut/other milk, smoothie ingredients) to create the three grades of Encha, without the necessity of adding sweetener. 

A Simple Comparison Chart of Three Grades of Encha Organic Matcha

What are the differences between matcha grades?

The main differences between ceremonial, latte, and culinary grade matchas stem from the time of year they are harvested. Ceremonial matcha powder comes from the premium first harvest leaves which are younger and more tender, hence the more vibrant green color, less bitterness, and higher-quality and complexity in flavor.

Latte-grade Encha was specifically made for matcha lattes in mind. It comes from standard first harvest leaves which have a slightly stronger taste than ceremonial matcha, giving you the perfect flavor profile for matcha latte.

Encha Culinary grade matcha comes from second harvest leaves which have a slightly browner color as shown above, and a more gassy, bitter taste. Culinary grade matcha is our cheapest matcha grade and has the perfect taste profile for matcha smoothies, and other wonderful matcha baking and cooking recipes

Our recommendations strike the perfect balance between natural savory taste and cost effectiveness, achieving roughly the same total cost for your final cup of Encha drink (way healthier and cheaper than Starbucks). 

• If you used to drink tea just with water or coffee black, definitely try the ceremonial-grade Encha with water (hot, cold or iced). You will like the pure, smooth and refreshingly grassy taste of ceremonial-grade Encha from our carefully selected premium 1st-harvest organic matcha. No bitterness.

• If you used to drink chai latte, coffee latte, etc. and like the creamy texture, definitely try the latte-grade Encha. Blend or froth it with your choice of milk. It is also 1st-harvest pure organic matcha and has similarly smooth but slightly stronger taste than ceremonial-grade Encha. You can also drink it with water if you typically like stronger tea or coffee. 

• If you have a sweet tooth, add your choice of natural sweetener (maple syrup, honey, coconut nectar...). 

• If you love green smoothies, dairy-free ice cream with banana or avocado, baking or want an even more cost-effective grade for making naturally sweetened bittersweet matcha latte, definitely try the culinary-grade Encha. It is premium 2nd-harvest organic matcha.   

Not all ceremonial or culinary grades are the same. I strive to find the best by directly working with organic farmers. Ceremonial-grade Encha has a perfect taste note combining smoothness and slightly nutty texture. Culinary-grade Encha is the best culinary-grade in the market, with a vibrant green color!

Encha is the only brand that created the latte-grade to suit almond, coconut or other non-dairy milk you like without needing to add sugar. Almond, coconut and other plant-based milk has very little sugar. That's why we need a latte-grade organic matcha from 1st harvest. Most cafes add sugar to their matcha lattes because they use lower-grade and often non-organic matcha. At the worst, some popular cafes pre-mixed their matcha powder with refined sugar. So it's much better to make it yourself or ask your favorite cafe to contact Encha (encha@encha.com).

Note:

Dairy milk contains a type of protein called casein. Some studies found casein might lower the absorption of the antioxidant catechins in matcha, by about 20%. So we don't recommend dairy milk as the preferred choice. Plant-based vegan milk is the best. Avoid soy especially if it is GMO or has carrageenan.

For any questions, please email us: encha@encha.com

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