(WARNING- This is an in depth review of Encha matcha tea. I am writing this for those who like me are researching and wanting to buy the best matcha as an investment. I am purposely going into detail to provide information to help with buying decisions. If you prefer a short summary, see section marked THE BOTTOM LINE)
THIS REVIEW WAS DONE ON PRODUCT PURCHASED AT FULL PRICE BY ME AS REGULAR CUSTOMER
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I have to be honest with you, I really am not a green tea fan. I just don't like it. Flavored, unflavored, it did not seem to matter. I tried everything to make green tea just right and most of the time, I am just not a fan. There is a blend of green and white jasmine tea I do like, but that is not pure green, so probably does not count. So what am I doing trying matcha? Let me tell you.
MATCHA EXPERIENCE
Some time ago I came upon a tea company who has teas I love. So, they had matcha on sale and it was STILL expensive. I decided to look into matcha. I researched and studied what to look for and made only trying Japanese matcha my goal.
I tried a few here and there, but they were bitter, icky tasting, and made me wonder why anyone would bother spending money on that stuff- let alone a LOT of money. I found a little tin of PREMIUM organic GO MATCHA at a store on clearance, so I bought it. It was only $5 and the date was very fresh, and it was from Japan. No one in our area has a clue about stuff like this, so they did not buy it. Is that what matcha is supposed to taste like? Blech.
WHAT IS ENCHA MATCHA LIKE?
I am not one to let things lie until I have explored them to my satisfaction, so I continued to try matcha and more and more I was becoming turned off. I put the temperature between 170 and 160 and was careful to measure, and then I would froth it just right and drink it- blech. I only tried premium or ceremonial quality - if that was high end, I would hate to see low end.
I decided to give matcha one last try and purchased the Encha. When I opened the package, I was greeted by what I had thought was a myth. This stuff is a beautiful spring green powder that borders on neon in color. Now THAT is what I heard matcha was supposed to look like! The powder is fine and the fragrance is actually wonderful. It is reminiscent of Japanese Green Magma and some other green drink supplement powders I used to buy from Swanson Vitamins over the years.
HOW DOES THIS MATCHA PREPARE?
First let me tell you how I prepared this matcha.
- I heated water to 160 degrees
-I put 1/4 tsp in a cup (I like matcha a bit weaker at this point than the usual 1/2 tsp)
-I poured about 4 oz of water over the top of the matcha (no, I did not sift)
-I used the
Cafe Casa Milk Frother 2 Speed Handheld Drink Mixer - Stainless Steel - With 2 AA Batteries Included (Silver)
-I sipped the tea rather quickly
Sometimes I pour a bit more water over top, sometimes not. It depends on my preference for weaker tea that day.
This matcha is delightful. Because I tend to use a bit less powder than recommended, the foam on top is less, but still very nice. The tea itself is delightful. No lumps, no problems at all mixing with the water, and the flavor- WOW. I have to say that this matcha blows all of the others I have tried out of the water. It is amazing.
WHAT DOES THIS MATCHA TASTE LIKE?
This matcha has a flavor that is most reminiscent of Japanese Green Magma made from young barley leaves- the original Japanese powder in the glass jar. It has a beautiful balance between sweetness and green, but it is a good green, not bitter. In fact, there was absolutely NO bitterness at all in this tea. The balance of astringency and green is perfect. Absolutely PERFECT. When I was done, my mouth was not feeling like someone sucked the water out of it, and it did not linger in a bad way like so many matchas tend to do to me. It was more of a pleasant memory that brings a smile to my face.
HOW DOES THIS TEA AFFECT ME?
I have a problem with caffeine, which includes in tea as well as coffee. I tend to avoid it. It makes me hurt and sometimes buzzes me so badly that I just have to avoid it and only have it once in a while. This tea, however, has an interesting effect on me. It brings about an ability to focus all day and adds an extra boost of peace and grounding that is elusive much of the time. I know that it is the L-theanine, but this is the first tea that I have experience this level of balance with.
I might not end up having it daily over time, but I sure am enjoying it now! The results are really nice.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I have to say that NOW I understand the reason why people go nuts over matcha tea. This tea is top of the line, there is no doubt about that. It turned me from a green tea resister to a green tea lover and that is HARD to do. The color is brilliant bright green, the aroma and flavor are perfect balance of sweet greens and astringency, and the powder blends into water perfectly. I have to say that the focus and grounding I get from this is amazing and I will probably keep buying this regularly. It is really amazing stuff.
RATING
I would give this ten stars if I could. I will update if anything changes or I have any more to add about this amazing tea.
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Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Organic content
Product contains at least 95% organic material.
As certified by
USDA Organic USDA Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input. USDA develops and enforces the organic standards, which require products to be produced using farming practices that maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, conserve biodiversity, and avoid genetic engineering, among other factors. Crops can be certified organic if they’re grown without prohibited substances such as most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for three years prior to harvest. Livestock are raised on pasture and treated humanely without growth hormones or antibiotics. Organic products do not contain GMOs or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Products that contain a minimum of 95 percent organic ingredients and use the USDA Organic seal are part of Climate Pledge Friendly.
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Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder, Organic First Harvest Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder, Matcha Tea From Uji, Japan (30g/1.06oz)
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Encha Ceremonial & Latte Matcha Green Tea Bundle - Organic First Harvest Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder, From Uji, Japan (30g/1.06oz x 2 bags)$36.90 $38.98This bundle contains 2 items
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Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to the USDA Organic standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors. Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input.
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to the USDA Organic standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors. Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input.
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to the USDA Organic standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors. Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input.
![KENKO Matcha Green Tea Powder [USDA Organic] Highest Ceremonial Grade, Authentic Japanese, Premium 1st Harvest, 1 oz (30 serv](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81cDa43POoL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to the USDA Organic standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors. Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input.
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to the USDA Organic standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors. Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input.
From the brand
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About Us
After tasting the most delicate matcha from an organic farm in Japan, our founder Li Gong had an epiphany. He left his Silicon Valley job and set out on a mission to bring high-quality, organically-farmed matcha to the masses, founding Encha Matcha in 2014.
Our goal is to share the same rich, tender matcha Li Gong first tasted with the world — from our farms in Uji, Japan to your cup at home.
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Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha
Ground from premium, first harvest leaves, which are the most tender. Delicate, smooth taste. Best enjoyed mixed with water.
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Encha Latte Grade Matcha
Ground from standard, first harvest leaves, picked each spring. Best mixed with the milk of your choice and served hot or cold.
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Encha Culinary Grade Matcha
Ground from premium, second harvest leaves. Subtly sweet, earthy taste. Best used for cooking and baking.
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“With Encha, I want us to show to the world that organic-only is possible, affordable and enjoyable. I want to grow the Encha community 'organically' through education and personalized support.
My social science training at Stanford taught me a belief: Intrinsic value doesn’t require extrinsic fanfare."
Li Gong, Ph.D., Founder of Encha
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Organic content
Product contains at least 95% organic material.
As certified by
USDA Organic USDA Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input. USDA develops and enforces the organic standards, which require products to be produced using farming practices that maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, conserve biodiversity, and avoid genetic engineering, among other factors. Crops can be certified organic if they’re grown without prohibited substances such as most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for three years prior to harvest. Livestock are raised on pasture and treated humanely without growth hormones or antibiotics. Organic products do not contain GMOs or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Products that contain a minimum of 95 percent organic ingredients and use the USDA Organic seal are part of Climate Pledge Friendly.
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Product Description
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6 Hours of Clean Energy |
No Jitters, No Crash |
Antioxidant-Rich |
What does USDA Certified Organic actually mean?
All of our farms are 100% organic certified, which means we regularly test for heavy metals and harmful chemicals. We'll never use pesticides or synthetic, chemical fertilizer on our Japanese matcha farm. We use centuries-old traditions for growing, and rely on the natural ecosystem to produce healthy, hearty tea leaves, which are shade-grown and hand-picked.
From where is your matcha sourced?
All of our matcha comes from our two farms, located in the hills of Uji, Japan. All of our matcha powder is shade grown and stone ground, for optimum flavor and health benefits.
What are the differences between the three grades?
In brief, Ceremonial Grade Encha is ground from premium, first harvest leaves, which are the most tender. The taste is delicate and smooth and best enjoyed mixed with water. Latte Grade Encha is ground from standard, first harvest leaves, picked each spring. When prepared just with hot water. Latte Grade can taste more bitter. That taste profile makes it suitable to balance with the milk of your choice. Culinary Grade is ground from premium, second harvest leaves and is best for cooking and baking.
How does matcha differ from green tea?
Matcha leaves are shade grown, which produces more theanine than green tea. Theanine offers a sense of serenity to balance the caffeine. Secondly, when making matcha powder, we remove the stems, creating a softer flavor. And lastly, when consuming matcha you're consuming the whole leaf rather than a steeped tea, which provides additional health benefits, like antioxidants.
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| Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha Green Tea | Encha Latte Grade Matcha Green Tea | Encha Culinary Grade Matcha Green Tea | |
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| Customer Reviews |
5,707
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2,534
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| Price | $37.99 | $27.99 | — |
| Purpose | Matcha teas | Versatile blend for matcha lattes and Matcha teas | Recipes with Matcha ingredient |
| Available sizes | 1.06oz (30g) | 2.12oz (60g) | 1 pound (500g) | 1.06oz (30g) | 2.12oz (60g) | 1 pound (500g) | 2.12oz (60g) | 1 pound (500g) |
| Origin | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| What if you don't like it? | Let us know and we'll make it right! | Let us know and we'll make it right! | Let us know and we'll make it right! |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder, Organic First Harvest Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder, Matcha Tea From Uji, Japan (30g/1.06oz) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $19.99 | $48.99 | $28.99 | $23.50 | $29.95 | $39.99 |
| Price Per Unit | $18.86 / Ounce | $13.92 / Ounce | $8.22 / Ounce | $1.34 / Ounce | $1.70 / Ounce | $11.36 / Ounce |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Flavor | ||||||
| Blending power | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Freshness | ||||||
| Sold By | Encha | Aiya America Inc. | Official PureChimp | Amazon.com | Jade Leaf Matcha | Naoki Matcha |
| tea variety | green | green | matcha | green | matcha | matcha |
| flavor | Organic Ceremonial | Matcha | Regular | chamomile,jasmine,Sweetened | Matcha Latte Mix | Superior Blend |
| form | Powder | Powder | Powder | Powder | Powder | Powder |
| unit count | 1.06 | 3.52 | 3.53 | 17.5 | 17.6 | 3.52 |
| weight | 0.07 pounds | 100 grams | 50 grams | 17.5 ounces | 1.1 pounds | 0.22 pounds |
| caffeine content | Medium Caffeine | Low Caffeine | Caffeinated | — | Caffeinated | Caffeinated |
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Reviews with images
Matcha Green Tea is Very Different from Regular Green Tea
I've always loved green tea. I drink it plain with no sweetener or cream. What I didn't realize was that Matcha green tea is processed very differently than regular green tea. My first surprise with Matcha green tea was that it was actually... green! Regular green teas are almost brown or even black in color. The next surprise was that there are, basically, two grades of Matcha: one is called "cullinary," the other "ceremonial." I use a different brand of Matcha than Encha brand (a cullinary grade) in my yogurt, and I love it, but when I tried to drink it as tea, much to my surprise, I found it exceedingly bitter! I learned that this is because cullinary grade uses older leaves and is processed differently than "ceremonial grade." So, I decided to give "Encha Ceremonial Grade" Matcha a try. I used it to make tea because I knew that in yogurt, any bitterness would be masked by the dairy. I found the taste absolutely amazing: distinctive and almost crisp, but with absolutely no bitterness. Because I love the sour taste of unsweetened Greek yogurt, as well as how cullinary-grade Matcha tastes when combined with it, I'll continue using the other brand for things like yogurt or smoothies, but now that I've discovered Encha Ceremonial Grade matcha, I'm done with drinking ordinary datk-colored "green tea" and am making the switch to Encha brand! I must also mention that I recently quit coffee and find that Matcha (as well as regular green tea) offers a better, safer, and more enjoyable energy source for me.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024
Size: 1.06 Ounce (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
Matcha Green Tea is Very Different from Regular Green Tea
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024
I've always loved green tea. I drink it plain with no sweetener or cream. What I didn't realize was that Matcha green tea is processed very differently than regular green tea. My first surprise with Matcha green tea was that it was actually... green! Regular green teas are almost brown or even black in color. The next surprise was that there are, basically, two grades of Matcha: one is called "cullinary," the other "ceremonial." I use a different brand of Matcha than Encha brand (a cullinary grade) in my yogurt, and I love it, but when I tried to drink it as tea, much to my surprise, I found it exceedingly bitter! I learned that this is because cullinary grade uses older leaves and is processed differently than "ceremonial grade." So, I decided to give "Encha Ceremonial Grade" Matcha a try. I used it to make tea because I knew that in yogurt, any bitterness would be masked by the dairy. I found the taste absolutely amazing: distinctive and almost crisp, but with absolutely no bitterness. Because I love the sour taste of unsweetened Greek yogurt, as well as how cullinary-grade Matcha tastes when combined with it, I'll continue using the other brand for things like yogurt or smoothies, but now that I've discovered Encha Ceremonial Grade matcha, I'm done with drinking ordinary datk-colored "green tea" and am making the switch to Encha brand! I must also mention that I recently quit coffee and find that Matcha (as well as regular green tea) offers a better, safer, and more enjoyable energy source for me.
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024
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Top reviews from other countries
Trish
Excellent matcha
Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2024Size: 2.12 Ounce (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
Trish
Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2024
Images in this review
NB
Great quality and value
Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2021Size: 2.12 Ounce (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
NB
Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2021
Overall great value, will buy again.
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Amazon Customer
Unable to use the item as received with an expiry date.
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2023Size: 2.12 Ounce (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
