FAQs

What is Ceremonial Matcha?

Answer :

Ceremonial matcha traditionally means that tea masters use their best matcha powder for the tea ceremony, making ceremonial matcha the highest grade in a matcha collection. In the first harvest of each spring, our Zen Tea Leaf farmers select the most tender, premium quality matcha green tea leaves, and grinds them as our Zen Tea Leaf ceremonial matcha green tea powder. The result is an intensely rich level of umami, with creamy textures, very little astringency, and zero bitterness.

How much matcha should I use? How much can I have per day?

Answer :

A single serving can range from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of powder. We recommend starting with less. See how you feel. Over time you can experiment with the ration of tea to water (or liquid) that best suits you. Matcha is rich in fiber, so if your system has been sluggish, you may experience some renewed digestive vitality. That’s a good thing!

What does matcha taste like?

Answer :

Matcha tea is made from shade-covered leaves. This process increases the chlorophyll content of the leaf and produces a full bodied, creamy vegetal taste, occasionally with an astringent note, depending on the grade of tea. Our Spring harvest, organic imperial ceremonial-grade matcha. Exhibits a smooth, mild, sweet & pleasant umami flavor with zero bitterness. Other factors like temperature of water and ration of powder to other ingredients will influence the flavor profile of your finished beverage.

How is matcha prepared?

Answer :

Matcha tea is incredibly versatile and can be prepared as a tea with water, or used as an ingredient in lattes and smoothies. Traditionally matcha is whisked into a frothy beverage in a ceramic tea bowl, using a bamboo whisk. You can also sprinkle matcha powder over oatmeal, yogurt, fruit and blend with salt to add a unique greet tea accent to savory foods like tuna salad or eggs. However you like to prepare matcha, is the best way to drink it.

I don’t have a whisk. Can I still drink matcha as a hot tea?

Answer :

Absolutely. Simply add hot water to the powder in the bottom of your cup. Make a smooth paste, then fill your cup with more fresh hot water. However, we do recommend trying the whisk. It is uniquely suited for creating a frothy bowl of matcha tea which has an airy pleasant texture and tastes wonderfully delicious.

Are there other ways to enjoy matcha besides as a tea/drink?

Answer :

Matcha Source teas are delightfully flexible. We encourage people, especially new comers, to explore all of the ways matcha tea can fit into your life. Most of our customers drink some version of a blending drink such as almond milk green tea lattes or morning smoothies. Matcha is delightful sprinkled over yogurt or berries. Or add to salt for a savory taste to eggs and fish. Visit our instagram page for more sweet and savory ideas.

Why is matcha tea relatively expensive when compared to other green teas?

Answer :

Matcha production is limited. Covering the fields with bamboo mats, or tarps, weakens the tea plants, and a longer recovery period is needed before they can be harvested again. Most farmers pick matcha leaves entirely by hand – although machine picking is not un-common. Local farmers closely supervise the growing, harvesting and sorting of matcha leaves. At the factory, production requires several processes including steaming, drying, destemming, sorting, grinding and packaging. Each stone grinder produces only about 40 grams of matcha in an hour.

Matcha has always been specially crafted tea in Japan, expensive and made in limited amounts since its introduction to Japan from China in the 1200’s.

The pricing of matcha in Japan is directly related to which leaves are used, where they were grown and which farmers cultivated it. When you look to buy matcha, you’ll find the most expensive ones are the greenest color and the softest in texture. This denotes that only the youngest leaves were used and de-spined (all coarse fibers, i.e. the stems, removed). Matcha is made in relatively limited quantities, and because it is so popular in Japan, relatively little remains for export.

What is the best way to store Matcha?

Answer :

Keep your matcha well sealed in the fridge. Think of it as a fresh vegetable.

How long will matcha tea last?

Answer :

Matcha, when well stored, will retain its color, flavor and aroma for weeks and even months. We often call it a “near future” tea as you want to consume it as soon as possible for best flavor and taste.

Does matcha tea have caffeine?

Answer :

Yes. Matcha has about 30 mg caffeine/teaspoon of powder. Coffee has about 150 mg/8 ounces depending on how it is brewed. But matcha also contains l-theanine, an amino acid which improves cognitive function and induces a calm soothing effect on the mind. Part of the lure of the tea, is that Buddhists monks used it as an aid in meditation as the stimulation from the caffeine kept them alert, while the amino acids kept them calm and focused. Matcha is an excellent coffee alternative in the morning and an energy booster in the afternoon between lunch and dinner.

When drinking matcha, whole tea leaves are consumed (not just the steep as with other teas), providing 4 to 6 hours of mild steady energy. Matcha is both a stimulant and a relaxant, perfect for focusing on work, meditation, exercise or play.

Does milk interfere with matcha’s nutrients?

Answer :

Some studies show that drinking matcha with dairy milk can block the absorption of nutrients in the body. Try nut milks instead.

How much EGCg is in a single serving?

Answer :

One gram of matcha contains 105 mg of total catechin content, and roughly 61% is EGCg. A single serving size is typically anywhere from 2-4 grams or 1-2tsp, depending on your preference. Matcha tea contains 4 times the catechins of regular brewed green tea.

I am concerned about radiation and lead.

Answer :

We receive documentation from our partners in Japan, showing no detectable levels of Cs-134 and Cs-137. Air, water, and soil are tested regularly and local officials have a firmly established base line going back decades.

Teas from China have been reported to contain heavy metals such as lead. All of our teas are sourced from Japan.

Matcha's ORAC Rating

Answer :

ORAC is a measure of antioxidant efficacy of a particular food.The ORAC rating of matcha tea is 1300 umoleTE/g compared to 105 for pomegranate fruit and 93 for wild blue berries. The USDA recommends 3,000- 5,000 ORAC units per day. One teaspoon of matcha tea, about 2 grams, contains approximately 2600 ORAC units.

Can I drink matcha while I’m pregnant or nursing?

Answer :

Different moms have different answers on this. Please ask your doctor.

Will matcha interfere with my medication?

Answer :

Probably not, but please ask your doctor.

How do I place an order?

Answer :

To place your order, simply follow the steps as shown below:


1. Go to the item page.


2. Choose your preferred color, size, and quantity (if applicable).


3. Click "Add to Cart"


5. Go to the checkout page.


6. If you're a registered customer, sign in first. If you're a new customer, checkout as guest now.


7. Fill out all shipping and payment information.


8. Click "Place Order"


You'll be taken to a confirmation page that will give you an order number and you will be emailed a confirmation once the payment has processed. Please be sure to read all emails from us carefully.


If you need further guidance or run into any issues when placing your order, please Contact Us, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.