The Importance of Colour: Why Your Matcha Should Be Bright Green

When it comes to determining the quality of Matcha, colour plays a crucial role.

The colour of Matcha can indicate its freshness, taste, and overall quality.

Let's examine the way Matcha is grown, processed and stored so we can be well informed when it comes to selecting vibrant green Matcha Powder to drink.

Matcha Green Tea in Japan Tea fields

Factors Affecting Matcha Colour and Quality.

There are several factors that can affect the colour and quality of Matcha.

THE WAY MATCHA IS GROWN

  • Matcha powder is made using leaves picked in the first tea harvest of the year in May (also known as first flush) when the youngest, freshest leaves at the top of the bushes are selected.
  • These young leaves contain the most chlorophyll which is why the leaves are so green. Younger leaves tend to produce a brighter green colour, while older leaves may result in a duller green or even a yellowish colour.
  • How do the young leaves become so green? This is thanks to the tea bushes growing under shade cloth for roughly 3-4 weeks prior to harvesting. 
  • The blocking of sunlight under the shade cloth increases the chlorophyll, caffeine and antioxidant content. 
  • How does this growing technique affect the taste of Matcha? It results in a higher content of amino acid L-theanine and caffeine and lower content of catechin. This means the the “umami”& smoother taste is amplified in comparison to other tea types cultivated in full sun, in which catechin content amplifies a bitter taste.

Covering of Tea Bushes

THE WAY MATCHA IS PROCESSED
  • Once picked, the tea leaves are steamed to lock in that vibrant green colour and all nutrients! The steaming of the tea leaves keeps them from oxidizing. It maintains the flavour, colour, and freshness of the tea and also preserves the chlorophyll content, the ratio of amino acids and other nutrients. 
  • After the leaves are steamed and air dried, the final step is the grinding of the leaves which is done by machine stone grinders. This delicate process saves the flavour, the rich green colour and the earthy aroma.

Watch the process here:

THE WAY MATCHA IS STORED

  • The storage conditions of the Matcha can also affect its colour and quality. Matcha that is stored in airtight containers and kept away from light and heat will retain its vibrant green colour and fresh taste for longer.
  • We recommend to refrigerate your Matcha in a light resistant container like our storage jars to extend the freshness.

 Want to see the bright green colour of our Matcha? Check out the video below! 

 

 

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🍵 Getting Started with Matcha

Why try our Matcha?

Since 2018, we’ve sourced exceptional Japanese Matcha directly from trusted tea producers in Japan.

Our Matcha is crafted from 2025 first-harvest leaves grown in Kagoshima, freshly milled to order, and carefully cold-stored to preserve its vibrant colour, delicate aroma, and depth of flavour.

We refrigerate all Matcha to slow oxidation and protect its integrity from farm to cup.

Proudly recognised with industry awards and trusted by thousands of customers across Australia, we remain committed to delivering a true Taste of Japan in a Cup.

We are so confident you will enjoy our tea so we also offer a 30 day taste guarantee.

Why does First Harvest Matcha matter?

First harvest means the tea leaves are picked during the very first flush of spring, when the youngest leaves are at their most tender, vibrant and nutrient-rich.

This early harvest is prized for producing matcha with a fresher colour, smoother flavour, natural sweetness and deeper umami.

Do you offer Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

Many people have become familiar with the phrase "ceremonial grade" and equate it to meaning high quality matcha. The truth is there is no such thing as ceremonial grade, it was a marketing term developed in the west to denote high quality. Japan has no official grading system or regulation so anyone can put it on their packaging, regardless of the quality.

At Matcha Yu Tea, we prioritise what actually matters — First Harvest leaves, vibrant green colour and a fresh depth of flavour — over marketing terms.

What Matcha should I choose?

If you’re new to matcha, we recommend starting with our Everyday Matcha. It’s smooth, well-balanced, and easy to prepare, with a fresh flavour and gentle umami. It tastes beautiful whisked traditionally with water, or made into your favourite matcha latte.

If you prefer a deeper, more refined flavour with richer umami notes, our Premium Matcha is best enjoyed simply with water.

For lattes: Everyday Matcha

For traditional drinking: Premium Matcha

Does your Matcha contain sugar?

No. Our matcha is 100% pure Japanese green tea powder, with no added sugar, sweeteners, fillers, or additives.

What if I don’t like the taste?

We are confident you’ll love our Tea. If you’re new to Matcha Yu Tea and don’t enjoy the taste of your tea, we offer a 30-day Taste Guarantee on your first purchase.

How it works:

  • Applies to first-time customers only
  • Applies to one opened bag per order on first-time purchases
  • Contact us within 30 days of delivery at hello@matchayutea.com
  • One refund per customer
  • No need to return opened matcha — we’d rather learn how we can help 

What’s not covered:

  • Orders where tea has been prepared with boiling water (we recommend 70-80 degrees Celsius) 
  • Orders stored incorrectly (not adequately sealed / refrigerated)
  • Multiple opened products in the same order
  • Change-of-mind or “no longer needed” returns

What are the health benefits of drinking Matcha?

More than just a beautiful drink — matcha is a daily ritual that works for your mind, body, and skin.

Matcha provides

⚡ Natural Energy 🧘 Calm & Focus 🧠 Improved Concentration ✨ Detox & Anti-Ageing 🛡️ Immune Support 🔥 Boosted Metabolism

01 — ENERGY

Natural, Sustained Energy

Matcha contains caffeine — but only a third of what's in coffee. The key difference is how it's released. Matcha delivers a slow, steady stream of caffeine into your bloodstream, sustaining you for hours without the sharp spike and crash that coffee causes. No jitters. No cravings. Just clean, lasting energy.

02 — CALM

Calming & Reduces Anxiety

Matcha contains L-theanine, a remarkable amino acid that positively affects alpha brain waves — promoting a state of relaxed alertness and reducing feelings of stress or anxiety. It also increases dopamine and serotonin levels, naturally lifting your mood and helping you feel genuinely good.

03 — FOCUS

Improved Focus & Concentration

The synergy between caffeine and L-theanine in matcha is well-studied — together they improve memory retention, reaction time, and sustained attention. Matcha helps you get into a flow state and stay there, making it the ideal companion for deep work, study, or creative thinking.

04 — DETOX & ANTI-AGEING

Detoxifying & Anti-Ageing

Before harvest, matcha plants are shade-grown to boost chlorophyll — a natural detoxifier that supports liver function and helps flush toxins, heavy metals, and persistent chemicals from the body. Matcha also contains catechins that fight UV damage and pollution, plus vitamins A, C, K and B complex that support skin cell renewal for smoother, more supple skin.

Anti Ageing Matcha Good for Skin

05 — IMMUNITY

Helps Boost Immunity

Matcha is one of the highest natural sources of antioxidants — surpassing blueberries, chia seeds, and other well-known superfoods. It's also the richest natural source of EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a plant catechin that helps your body produce T-cells to fight pathogens and viruses. Read more about matcha and immunity →

Matcha helps keep your immune system healthy

06 — METABOLISM

Boosts Metabolism & Aids Weight Loss

EGCG works in tandem with matcha's natural caffeine to stimulate thermogenesis — your body's calorie-burning process. Matcha also helps your body use stored fat as an energy source during exercise, making it a smart addition to any active lifestyle.

Ready to start your matcha ritual?

Experience the Benefits for Yourself

Browse our premium and everyday matcha — ethically sourced, mindfully packaged, and ready to transform your daily routine.

SHOP MATCHA

What Matcha do I use for Usucha (thin tea) / Koicha (thick tea)?

For the smoothest, most umami-rich experience, we recommend our Premium Matcha for both usucha and koicha.

Premium Matcha is best enjoyed with water, where its deeper flavour, natural sweetness, and rich umami can really shine.

How do I make a Matcha latte?


Making a cup of Matcha has never been easier, especially when using our convenient Matcha Shaker. 

How to Make A Matcha Latte Easily Without A Bamboo Whisk
If you don't own our Matcha Shaker simply follow these steps instead to make a Matcha Latte: 
  1. Push 1 teaspoon (approx. 2 grams) of Matcha Powder through a sieve into your cup. NOTE: if you want a stronger flavour we recommending adding up to 2 Teaspoons of Matcha
  2. Pour in around 30ml of hot water (no hotter than 80 degrees), just enough to cover the Matcha Powder.
  3. Blend the Matcha and Water by mixing with a Bamboo whisk / Matcha Shaker or Electric Whisk to blend to get a better result) 
  4. Add 100ml milk to the dissolved Matcha & Water Mix
  5. Add 1 teaspoon of sweetener (we recommend Maple Syrup) to taste (optional)
  6. Larger serve? Just double the quantity of Matcha to 4 grams (2 metric teaspoons) and 200ml milk. Keep the water at 30ml so it doesn’t dilute. 
How to Make A Matcha Latte

Watch How To Use the Matcha Shaker Here (Turn On Captions)


Ready to get started? Make Matcha easy by grabbing one of our Matcha Tea Sets.  

Why do we cold store our Matcha?

Matcha is delicate. Because it’s a finely ground green tea powder, it’s more exposed to heat, light, air and moisture than whole-leaf tea.

We cold-store our matcha to help protect its vibrant colour, fresh aroma and smooth umami flavour — so it reaches you as fresh as possible.

How should I store my Matcha?

We recommend storing Matcha in the fridge in a well sealed, air tight container to preserve freshness and reduce oxidation. Either in the pouch you receive the tea in or transfer it to a Storage Jar.

Do you have any intro offers?

Yes use code FIRSTSIP at checkout for $10 off your first purchase