The right matcha depends on how you plan to enjoy it and the flavours you prefer. For drinking with water, look for a smooth matcha with balanced umami, sweetness and minimal bitterness. For lattes, choose a more robust matcha that will retain its flavour when combined with milk.

Explore our Japanese matcha collection, where each product includes a flavour profile and serving recommendation to help you compare options. If you are still unsure, contact us and we will be happy to recommend a matcha based on your preferences.

“Ceremonial” and “culinary” are not officially regulated grades in Japan. They are commonly used outside Japan to help customers understand a matcha’s intended use, but they do not provide a definitive measure of its quality.

Matcha described as ceremonial is generally selected for whisking with water and typically offers a smoother, more refined flavour. Culinary matcha usually has a stronger profile that remains noticeable when combined with other ingredients, making it particularly suitable for lattes, smoothies, baking, desserts and cooking.

Culinary matcha is not necessarily low quality. At Yusen Tea, we focus on carefully selected matcha from respected Japanese producers and recommend choosing according to flavour, intended use and preparation style.

Matcha is sensitive to heat, light, air, moisture and strong odours. Keep it tightly sealed in its original packaging and store it in a cool, dark and dry place.

Once opened, we recommend keeping matcha refrigerated to help preserve its colour, aroma and flavour. Before opening a refrigerated container, allow it to reach room temperature while still sealed. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside and affecting the powder.

Reseal the container promptly after each use and enjoy the matcha as soon as possible after opening for the best experience.

For a traditional bowl of matcha:

1. Sift approximately 1.5g of matcha into a pre-warmed, dry matcha bowl. Sifting helps the powder combine smoothly with the water.
   
2. Bring soft or filtered water to the boil, then allow it to cool to approximately 70–80°C.
   
3. Add around 70ml of water to the bowl.
   
4. Using a bamboo chasen, whisk briskly back and forth rather than in a circular motion.
   
5. Once a fine, creamy foam forms, slow the whisking near the surface to remove any larger bubbles, then lift the chasen gently from the centre.
   

The amount of matcha, water and temperature can be adjusted according to your preferences and the individual tea.

Explore our matcha accessories, including bamboo chasen, matcha bowls, sifters and measuring spoons.

Japanese dates are usually written in year, month, day order. For example, 2027.04.05 means 5 April 2027, not 4 May 2027.

Most Japanese matcha displays a best-before date marked 賞味期限 (shōmi kigen). This indicates how long an unopened product should retain its intended colour, aroma and flavour when stored correctly; it is not a production date.

If you are unsure about a date printed on your product, please contact us with a photograph and we will be happy to clarify it.

Best-before periods vary between producers and can range from approximately 2 to 12 months. Nakamura Tokichi, for example, typically uses a period of around two months, while many other brands use approximately five to nine months.

A shorter period does not necessarily mean the matcha is older or lower quality. It reflects each producer’s own standards for how long the unopened matcha should retain its intended colour, aroma and flavour.

Once opened, keep your matcha tightly sealed and protected from heat, light, moisture and strong odours. For the best experience, enjoy it as soon as possible after opening.

Yes, we offer wholesale across selected products. We also have experience helping businesses develop their own branded matcha products through our private-label service, supporting the process from brand and packaging design to product sourcing.

Please contact us with your business details, estimated quantities, branding requirements and delivery location. Our team will review your requirements and discuss the available options with you.

Yes. Every product sold by Yusen Tea is genuine and covered by our 100% Authenticity Guarantee.

We carefully select matcha and Japanese tea from respected heritage producers, many of which have spent generations or centuries perfecting their craft. Our range includes renowned tea houses such as Marukyu Koyamaen, Kanbayashi Shunsho, Hoshino Seichaen and Yamamasa Koyamaen.

Our wider collection also includes Japanese sweets, teaware and accessories from established brands, specialist makers and skilled artisans.

Products are carefully sourced in Japan through strong, trusted relationships with producers, authorised distributors and long-established Japanese suppliers.