Not all matcha is the same.
Some matcha is made for drinking.
Some matcha is made for cooking.
The two most common types are:
- ceremonial matcha
- culinary matcha
Let’s look at the difference.
What Is Ceremonial Matcha?
Ceremonial matcha is the highest quality matcha.
It is meant to be drunk with water.
This type of matcha is used in the Japanese tea ceremony.
Ceremonial matcha is made from the youngest tea leaves.
These leaves are soft and rich in flavor.
Good ceremonial matcha should taste:
- smooth
- creamy
- slightly sweet
- full of umami
It should not taste very bitter.
If you want to learn how to prepare it properly, you can read our guide on how to make matcha.
What Is Culinary Matcha?
Culinary matcha is made for cooking.
It is often used in:
- lattes
- cakes
- cookies
- ice cream
- smoothies
Culinary matcha usually has a stronger and more bitter taste.
This helps the flavor stand out when mixed with other ingredients.
Because of this, culinary matcha is usually less expensive.
Color Differences
Good matcha should be green.
But ceremonial matcha is usually brighter green.
Culinary matcha may look darker or slightly dull.
This happens because ceremonial matcha uses younger leaves.
If you want to understand why matcha is so green, you can read our article explaining why matcha is green.
Taste Differences
Ceremonial matcha is smoother.
It has a more delicate flavor.
Culinary matcha is stronger and more bitter.
That bitterness can work well in desserts or drinks with milk and sugar.
Price Differences
Ceremonial matcha is usually more expensive.
That is because it uses higher quality leaves and careful processing.
Matcha production also takes a lot of work.
If you are curious about this process, you can read our guide on why matcha is so expensive.
Which Matcha Should You Choose?
If you want to drink matcha with water, ceremonial matcha is best.
If you want to bake or make sweet drinks, culinary matcha can work well.
Many people who enjoy matcha daily prefer ceremonial matcha for its smoother taste.
If you want to understand matcha more deeply, you can read our guide explaining what matcha is.
Try Authentic Matcha
High quality matcha should be vibrant green and smooth.
At Ujiha, we bring small batches of matcha from a partner farm in Uji, Japan.
Our matcha is stone-milled in Japan and imported fresh in small batches.
You can explore our matcha here
https://ujiha.au