s famous for its vibrant green appearance as its rich flavor and health benefits, matcha has become a staple for both people who love tea as well as people who are trying to live a healthier, more wellness-focused life. There has been no shortage of matcha brands flooding the market, but what is it that makes Encha stand out?
An organic matcha sourced from Uji, Japan, we stand by our commitment to quality not just in the tea itself, but in ensuring that our customers know precisely what they’re getting, and how that compares to some of the other brands out there.
Encha Vs Other Matcha Brands: What Sets Encha Apart?
Quality of Ceremonial Grade Matcha Ingredients
The unmatched quality of its ingredients is the first and most important source of what makes it stand out amongst the other brands in the market. Encha is 100% organic and sourced directly from the Uji region of Japan, a traditional hotspot for tea cultivation. Of the region’s teas, Encha is made from only first-harvest leaves, those that grow first when spring begins.
First-harvest matcha is known to be the highest quality, as the leaves are younger and more tender. This gives Encha matcha a smoother, richer flavor in contrast to other brands that can be more bitter and less vibrant, thanks to using second or third-harvest leaves. Encha offers both ceremonial grade matcha and culinary grade matcha. Ceremonial grade matcha, made from the youngest leaves, is traditionally used in tea ceremonies and is known for its vibrant green color and premium taste. Culinary grade matcha, on the other hand, has a more robust and sometimes bitter flavor, making it ideal for cooking and baking.
The quality of those leaves, no matter which harvest they come from, is a matter of how they are grown. Encha uses only chemical-free and pesticide-free growing practices to enhance both the flavor and nutritional value of our matcha. Our customers don’t have to worry about the harmful chemicals often used in growing practices, and we don’t cut corners, ensuring a pure and authentic matcha drinking experience. Encha's matcha is considered high quality matcha due to its organic and chemical-free growing practices.
Taste and Texture
Thanks to the growing and leaf selection practice we ensure, Encha matcha stands far above the competition, with a smooth, rich flavor that makes it immediately recognizable. Whether you choose our ceremonial grade matcha powder or culinary matcha, their distinct flavor profiles highlight the quality of our products. Our Ceremonial Blend offers a smooth balance of sweetness and umami, while our Latte Blend is perfect for various culinary uses. The matcha flavor of Encha's products is smooth and rich, with no bitterness, making it distinctly matcha. Our tea is never bitter, and USDA Organic certified, so you know what you’re getting with us.
The quality of our tea comes across in the vibrant green color of our powder, too. Totally free of artificial colors, our tea still maintains that rich green color, while other brands that are a more yellowish tint of green can have a lower quality.
Transparency and Sourcing
Transparency is vital when you want to make sure you’re getting the highest quality product and Encha’s founder, Dr. Li Gong, has made it a priority to ensure a direct relationship with farmers in Japan. Unlike other brands, who rely on third-party suppliers or don’t provide the source of their matcha, Encha is able to track every batch from farm to cup and offers detailed information on where and how the matcha is growing, right down to the process of stone-grinding the leaves into a fine matcha powder. Encha's organic matcha powder stands out for its exceptional quality and transparency, providing consumers with confidence in their purchase.
This commitment to transparency extends beyond just sourcing. We also do rigorous testing for contaminants and heavy metals, providing lab results to ensure the matcha meets the highest safety standards. Few other brands are going to offer this level of transparency and trust in the matcha market.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Value of Matcha Lattes
Our dedication to sourcing the best leaves and ensuring the best growing practices results in not just a better taste, but in much higher nutritional value, as well. Ensha is packed with vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds, with L-theanine being of particular note. This amino acid has been discovered to promote relaxation without the drowsiness that often comes with it. As such, matcha’s combination of L-theanine and caffeine gives it a calm, focused energy, making it a very popular alternative to coffee.
When comparing matcha green tea to regular green tea, matcha stands out due to its superior health benefits. While both are derived from the same plant, matcha green tea involves consuming the whole leaf, which results in a higher concentration of antioxidants and nutrients. This makes matcha green tea particularly potent in supporting brain function and reducing inflammation.
Given its forest-harvest origins, our matcha provides higher levels of L-theanine compared to other brands and has more vitamins A, C, and E than drinks that use second or third-harvest leaves. From boosting the immune system to promoting healthy skin, this can contribute to a wide range of health improvements.
High Antioxidant Content
One component of particular interest is the higher level of antioxidants thanks to both the first-harvest leaves and organic farming practices used in producing Encha matcha. These are crucial for protecting the body from oxidative stress and free radicals, which contribute to all manner of health issues, from premature aging to chronic diseases, including cancer.
We don’t use blends or harvests that dilute the benefits of our leaves, so our tea ranks higher in antioxidant content than other brands, which can ensure better protection against inflammation, heart disease, and more. Matcha contains 137 times more antioxidants than brewed green tea, highlighting its superior health benefits and growing popularity.
Customer Experience and Reviews of Matcha Brands
Of course, any brand can speak to why they believe they are the best in their field, but at Encha, we prefer to let our loyal following do the talking for us. With a 4.6 star rating sourced from 6800+ Matcha Lovers, we have grown a wide base of loyal customers. We encourage anyone to take a look at the reviews of the site, praising Encha’s match for its vibrant flavors, smooth textures, and more.
Our customers don’t just talk about the quality of our product, however, but our customer service, as well. Our team is responsive and willing to address any questions or concerns to make sure our customers know precisely what they’re getting.
As such, we have grown a strong community of matcha lovers, who are as passionate about the product and the process that goes behind it as we are. We constantly engage with our community through social media, newsletters, blog posts, and more, to help grow the passion for matcha tea.
Pricing and Value for Money
Cost always has to be a part of the equation, as we well know. However, when talking about pricing, we believe it’s important to talk about value for money. We know that Encha’s matcha may be priced higher than certain other brands, but we are confident in saying this is fully reflected in the quality of the product.
Lower-priced matcha can often compromise on quality, taste, and wellness, by using later harvest leaves, blending varying grades of leaves, or using non-organic farming methods. This can make them more affordable but creates an overall much worse drinking experience than Encha’s premium matcha.
Investing in the quality that Encha represents offers more than just immediate benefits. Our dedication to producing premium matcha tea supports the community that creates it, helping us sustain a generations-long tradition. Matcha lovers know that the process and the people behind their teas are important to getting the best product, so we fully believe in the value for money of Encha’s teas.
Encha, Setting The Standard in Matcha Tea
Encha is the premier matcha brand. From our commitment to 100% organic, first-harvest leaves to our dedication to supporting and showing the sourcing and production of our leaves, we aim to set a standard for what matcha can and should be. As such, we welcome anyone seeking a superior taste, improved health benefits, and customer satisfaction to try Encha and experience the difference for themselves.