Why Is Ceremonial-Grade Matcha Priced So High?

TL;DR

Ceremonial-grade matcha is the highest quality matcha, sourced from the first leaves of shade-grown plants, which are meticulously harvested. The intricate process of steaming, drying, and slow stone-grinding results in a vibrant green powder rich in flavor and nutrients, justifying its high price.

Transcript

after these leaves are plucked dried and ground they will turn into the finest matcha but not all matcha is the same the greener matcha is the smoother and more complex its flavor high quality jade green matcha can cost 20 times as much as pale green matcha and while this bright green powder takes a few seconds to dissolve in water it takes an enti... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌿 High-quality matcha is characterized by its vibrant green color and smooth, complex flavor, while lower quality matcha can be bitter and pale in color.
• 🌱 Ceremonial grade matcha plays a central role in Japanese tea ceremonies, while culinary grade matcha is more commonly used in desserts and cooking.
• ☀️ Matcha plants are shaded before harvest to preserve their flavor and prevent bitterness from developing. Gintaro's use of rice straw panels for shading is rare among tea farmers. ⏰ Harvesting high-quality matcha leaves is time-consuming, as only the very first leaves of the plant, which have a higher nutrient concentration, are used.
• 💨 Steaming the leaves after harvest locks in flavor, preserves the bright green color, and prevents oxidation.
• 🔥 Drying the tea leaves using a traditional 97-year-old furnace gives them a unique roasted aroma.
• ⚖️ Stone mills are used to grind ceremonial grade matcha into a fine powder, preserving the nutrients of the leaf. However, the grinding process is slow and time-consuming.
• ⚗️ Ceremonial grade matcha contains higher levels of antioxidants and chlorophyll due to the shading process and slow grinding. It is becoming increasingly popular globally, with the matcha market expected to exceed $5.5 billion by 2027.
• 🌾 Only 60 families in Uji, Japan, are still growing ceremonial grade matcha, as the lower costs and faster turnaround of culinary grade matcha have made it a more popular choice for farmers.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is ceremonial grade matcha so expensive compared to other types of matcha?

Ceremonial grade matcha is more expensive because it is made from the very first leaves of shade-grown plants, which require extensive labor and care. The harvesting and processing methods used to create ceremonial grade matcha result in a higher quality product with a more complex flavor profile.

Q: What is the role of shading in the production of ceremonial grade matcha?

Shading is an essential step in the production of ceremonial grade matcha. By shading the plants from sunlight, the leaves develop a vibrant green color and retain their flavor. Shading also helps reduce bitterness and increases the concentration of nutrients in the leaves.

Q: How long does it take to grind ceremonial grade matcha using traditional stone mills?

Grinding ceremonial grade matcha using traditional stone mills is a slow and meticulous process. It takes approximately one hour to grind just 40 grams of matcha. The use of stone mills preserves the nutrients of the leaves and produces a fine, glossy powder.

Q: What sets ceremonial grade matcha apart from culinary grade matcha?

Ceremonial grade matcha is made from the very first leaves of shade-grown plants and undergoes a meticulous harvesting and processing method. It has a higher concentration of antioxidants and chlorophyll, resulting in a more vibrant color and complex flavor. Culinary grade matcha, on the other hand, is more commonly used for cooking and baking.

Q: How has the popularity of matcha tea grown in recent years?

The global matcha market has seen significant growth in recent years, with its worth reaching three billion dollars in 2020 and expected to exceed 5.5 billion dollars by 2027. This increase in popularity has led to a surge in matcha exports from Japan, with the production of culinary grade matcha surpassing that of ceremonial grade matcha.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality matcha made from the very first leaves of shade-grown plants.

• The leaves are meticulously harvested in spring and undergo a steaming and drying process to preserve the flavor and color.

• The leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder using traditional stone mills, resulting in a vibrant green and nutrient-rich matcha.