Matcha powder begins as tencha leaves

Matcha tea leaves
Matcha tea leaves | shade-grown
Matcha tea leaves | Japanese Tea farm
Matcha tea leaves | Japanese Tea farm
Matcha tea leaves | Japanese Tea farm
Matcha tea leaves | Japanese Tea farm
After three weeks of shade growing, our leaves are a vibrant green, full of umami flavor and ready to be picked for harvest. The leaves are then steamed, dried, prepared and sealed so they stay fresh right until your drink is made.
USDA Organic Certification and JAS Organic Certification

What is matcha?

Matcha powder is made from tencha, a green tea leaf that is shade-grown for around three weeks. The leaves are steamed and dried after harvest and are not rolled like other tea leaves. The stems are also removed. The leaves are ground with a mill, such as the one featured in the Cuzen Matcha Maker, which mimics the traditional tea mill.

Why shading?

Left: Non-shaded leaf  Right: shaded leaf

Shading causes plants to work harder to photosynthesize, resulting in more vivid green leaves. L-theanine, an amino acid, changes to bitter catechins when exposed to sunlight. L-theanine is responsible for umami, the savory, brothy flavor in green tea, mushrooms and meat. Shading prevents bitterness and preserves high levels of L-theanine.

To drink matcha is to consume all the tea’s nutrients

Drinking matcha means consuming the entire leaf and all its available nutrients. Steeping tea allows only soluble nutrients to be consumed–about 30% of the plant’s nutrients. Because matcha is the only tea ground and digested, the benefits packed into this special plant are fully realized, unlike with any other tea. For this reason, it’s crucial for the tea to be grown organically, with careful attention to the natural resources used for cultivation.

Grown in a special place

We’re proud to work with Japanese tea farmers dedicated to high-quality organic tea production. They’re of the small number of Japanese farms that are fully organic.


The farms, located in the Kirishima area (literally “fog island”) of Kagoshima prefecture, are terrific natural environments for tea growth. The high altitude means fewer insects can live there, plus there’s usually a good amount of moisture in the air and plenty of sun, which help produce healthy leaves.

Our original blends

Three different blends. All from shade-grown organic harvests.
Organic matcha leaf packet | Latte Blend

Premium

Organic matcha leaf packet | Signature

Signature

Organic matcha leaf packet | Signature

Latte Blend

Harvest

100% Spring

Spring & Summer

Spring & Summer

Taste

Smooth & umami-rich

Balance & full-bodied

Bright & robust

Umami

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Bitterness

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Vibrancy of color

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Single-Origin Tea

Unlike most Japanese green teas that are blended from different regions and varieites, single-origin teas are made of one variety from one place. This way, the unique qualities can then be appreciated, unaltered. The tea is often named after its origin, a place esteemed by connoisseurs. Favored for ceremonies and guests, single-origin is often reserved for special occasions.

Packaged in two sizes

Our Premium, Signature and Latte Blends come in 20 grams, 60 grams and 300 grams (five 60-gram packets). All three quantities are available with a subscription.
Matcha Leaf Packets Premium and Signature 20g

20g leaf packet

Just the right size to fill up the tea hopper, where tencha can be stored for up to two months before grinding. Makes up to 20 shots per packet.

Matcha Leaf Packets Premium and Signature 60g

60g leaf packet

Resealable packet for storage—plus you get a slight per-cup discount. Makes up to 60 shots per packet.