FAQ

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Matcha here. 

🌿 General Questions About Matcha

What is Matcha?

Matcha is created when the leaves from shade-grown green tea are picked then ground down to produce a wonderful bright green tea powder.

Matcha is different to other types of green tea due to its unique growing and processing method.

A few weeks prior to harvest, tea bushes are covered with a shade cover that blocks most sunlight which increases Chlorophyll, resulting in a vibrant green colour. This method also brings out more flavour and reduces bitterness.

The youngest tea buds at the top of the plant are then picked and quickly sent to a processing factory to be steamed and air dried, to prevent oxidation. They tea leaves go through large wind dryers to air dry and remove moisture. They are de-veined and de-stemed and then finally ground into Matcha powder.

Why try our Matcha?

Since 2017, we’ve sourced exceptional Japanese Matcha directly from trusted tea producers in Japan.

Our Matcha is crafted from 2025 first-harvest leaves grown in renowned tea regions, 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.

Is your Matcha organic?

Presently just our Premium Matcha is made with Japanese Certified Organic Tea leaves.

Where does your Matcha come from?

Our Matcha is primarily sourced from tea leaves grown in Kagoshima, on Japan’s Kyushu Island.

Located near Sakurajima Volcano, this region is known for its nutrient-rich soil, which helps create vibrant, high-quality tea.

What makes Matcha different to regular green teas?

Unlike regular green tea which is usually brewed and leaves are discarded, Matcha is made from entire tea leaves that are ground into a fine powder, allowing you to drink the entire leaf and maximise its health benefits.

The key difference between Matcha and other green teas is that in the weeks prior to harvest, it is covered with shade cloth to partially block the sun. This slows down growth and allows Chlorophyll in the leaves to increase as well as amino acids to develop (including L-theanine, a relaxant property)

This special shading process increases antioxidant content because the reduced sunlight triggers a survival mechanism in the plants, leading to increased chlorophyll production, which gives matcha its vibrant green colour and contributes to its antioxidant properties.Shading also increases the production of catechins, another group of antioxidants.

Does your Matcha contain any extra ingredients? 

No. It's 100% Pure Matcha Green Tea Powder with no sugar or additives that you may see in other brands.

Does Matcha Expire or Go Off?

Not really but the flavour will reduce over time as the tea ages.

For best taste we recommend storing your Matcha in an air tight, light proof container (like our Storage Jars) and keeping it in the fridge.

Once open, we recommend consuming within 3 months for best taste but Matcha continues to be fine to drink taste wise for 12 months and beyond.

How Do I Store Matcha?

Matcha is sensitive to air, light and moisture.

Our recommendation is to store in an air tight, light proof container (like our Miron Glass storage Jars) or in the resealable pouch it comes in.

Refrigerate your Matcha as soon as you receive it and keep it well sealed in the fridge to prolong freshness.

Does Matcha only come from Japan?

Matcha doesn’t legally have to come from Japan, but the cultural expectation (and quality standard) is similar to Champagne — when people say “authentic matcha,” they almost always mean Japanese matcha.

Matcha can technically be grown elsewhere, but just like Champagne, the most authentic and highest-quality matcha comes from Japan, where the careful growing methods of shading tea bushes prior to harvest and steaming and milling the tea once picked have been crafted over hundreds of years.

How do you store your Matcha and why?

We cold-store our matcha to slow oxidation and preserve colour, aroma and flavour — and we recommend similar storage at home to enjoy it at its best.

🍵 Matcha Benefits & Health

Why is Matcha good for you?

Due to the way Matcha is grown, processed and drunk - the antioxidant content you consume is at least 10 times higher than regular green tea.

Matcha delivers a calm energy: due to its unique combination of L-theanine + caffeine. L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves, known for its ability to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve focus without causing drowsiness.

Does Matcha contain Caffeine?

Matcha has caffeine, around about ⅔ the amount of caffeine found in a standard coffee. The difference between the caffeine in Matcha and that found in coffee is that it is gently absorbed into your body over several hours. This gives you a far more sustained energy boost that keeps you going without a big crash or jitters.

Is Matcha Good for Weight Loss?

Drinking Matcha can help boost metabolism prior to a workout. This is because Matcha is packed with antioxidants including EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which:

  • is a unique plant catechin in Matcha that in conjunction with the naturally occurring caffeine can assist with weight loss.
  • helps your body absorb and use the fat in your body as an energy source when working out.
  • works by raising your metabolism giving you the ability to burn calories faster.
  • keeps your body's immune system in top condition ensuring you coming from a healthy starting point to work out effectively.

How many cups of Matcha should I drink per day?

Matcha does contain caffeine, but generally less than a cup of coffee. A standard serving of matcha has about 60–70mg, compared with roughly 95mg in an average cup of coffee. Its caffeine is released more slowly thanks to L-theanine, giving a calm, sustained boost rather than the jitters coffee can cause.

1–2 cups a day is ideal for most people.

🍵 3–4 cups can still be fine if you’re not overly sensitive to caffeine.

Everyone’s tolerance is different, so listen to your body and enjoy mindfully.

Is Matcha ok for teenagers to drink?

Yes, teens can enjoy matcha, but a little goes a long way!

  • Matcha has caffeine, but less than coffee and released slowly thanks to L-theanine — so it gives a calm, focused boost instead of jitters.
  • For most teens, 1 cup a day is perfect. More than that can start to add up, especially if they’re sensitive to caffeine.
  • Avoid drinking it on an empty stomach to keep it gentle.

🥄 How to Prepare Matcha

Do I need special tools to make Matcha?

We recommend using something that will effectively dissolve the Matcha in hot water and ensure no lumps or clumps remain.

The best items for this are a Bamboo Whisk , Handheld Electric Whisk or Matcha Shaker.

Mixing with a spoon or standard kitchen whisk will not dissolve effectively.

Should I sift Matcha before use?

Due to static electricity, Matcha can stick together when in a pouch or jar.

Before whisking the Matcha into hot water, we recommend pushing it through a fine mesh tea sieve into your bowl or cup so the powder becomes silky smooth and fine in texture.

This will assist in producing a lump and clump free bowl of Matcha.

Do I need to soak my bamboo whisk before use?

We recommend soaking your bamboo whisk in hot water for about 1 min or so prior to use. This way the delicate prongs will soften and help protect them when in use.

What water temp is best to use?

Optimal water temperature for whisking Matcha : around 70–80°C (158–176°F).

Higher temperatures can “scald” the matcha, causing a bitter taste and reducing some of the delicate umami and sweetness.

If you don’t have a thermometer or variable temp kettle let boiling water sit for 5–10 minutes to cool to the right range before whisking.

What ratios do I use for Matcha / Water / Milk?

Our ratios for a Matcha:

  • 1 teaspoon of Matcha Powder
  • 30ml of hot water
  • Top up with another 50ml of hot water for Usucha (thin Matcha)

Our ratios for a Matcha Latte:

  • 1 teaspoon of Matcha Powder
  • 30ml of hot water
  • 100ml of milk of your choice

🍃 Premium vs Everyday Matcha

What are the growing regions of your Matcha?

Everyday and Premium Matcha - Kagoshima, Kyushu.

Grown near the iconic Sakurajima volcano, Kagoshima’s tea fields thrive in nutrient-rich volcanic soil. This unique terroir gives the matcha its vibrant green colour, smooth umami flavour, and naturally sweet, full-bodied character.

What current cultivars are currently used?

Our matcha is sourced in small seasonal batches from Japan. Depending on availability, cultivars may vary between batches.

Current cultivars:

• Everyday Matcha 30g — Tsuyuhikari

• Everyday Matcha 70g — Okumidori

• Premium Matcha (30g & 70g) — Okumidori

Each selection is carefully chosen to maintain the smooth, vibrant flavour profile Matcha Yu Tea is known for.

What is a cultivar?

A cultivar is a specific cultivated variety of the tea plant. Different cultivars express distinct characteristics in flavour, aroma and colour — even when grown in the same region.

Just as grape varieties influence the taste of wine, tea cultivars shape the character of matcha.

The Cultivars We Use

Tsuyuhikari (つゆひかり)

Meaning “dew light,” Tsuyuhikari is known for its bright, refreshing profile with gentle lingering umami. It produces a smooth, lively matcha well suited to daily drinking and milk-based preparations.

Okumidori (奥緑)

Translating to “deep green,” Okumidori is highly regarded for its vibrant colour and mellow, creamy character. It delivers deeper umami, a fuller body and minimal bitterness — ideal for traditional preparation and drinking straight.

Is your Matcha Organic?

Organic certification applies at different stages of the supply chain.

Our Premium Matcha is made from tea grown on JAS-certified organic farms in Japan. These farms follow strict organic standards set by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, including the prohibition of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

Once imported and packaged in Australia, the finished product itself is not certified under the JAS system.

Australia recognises equivalency under the JAS organic standard.

Our Everyday Matcha is grown using standard Japanese farming practices and is not organic-certified.

Why isn’t the JAS Organic logo displayed on for Premium Matcha?

The JAS Organic logo can only be displayed on products that are packed within a JAS-certified processing facility.

While our Premium Matcha is made from tea grown on JAS-certified organic farms and processed in certified facilities in Japan, we package our matcha in Australia. For this reason, we describe the organic certification at origin rather than using the official JAS logo.

We believe in full transparency about our sourcing.

Why is our Premium Matcha more expensive?

Our Premium Matcha is:

• Single cultivar (Okumidori)
• First-harvest
• Made from tea grown on JAS-certified organic farms
• Stone-milled in Japan
• Multi Award-winning

It is crafted specifically for traditional preparation and drinking straight.

Can I drink Premium Matcha as a latte?

You can — however, its nuanced flavour profile is best appreciated on its own. If you prefer matcha with milk, our Everyday Matcha is designed to shine beautifully in lattes.

What does Ceremonial grade Matcha mean?

“Ceremonial grade” is a commonly used term in the tea industry to describe matcha intended for drinking straight rather than for culinary use.

While there is no official grading system, this designation typically refers to first-harvest tea with smoothness, balance and minimal bitterness.

😋 Our Taste Guarantee

What if I don't like the taste of the Matcha I order?

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