Matcha Quality

Matcha Quality – Real vs. Fake

Not all matcha quality is the same, and not every product that is called "Matcha" is real Matcha. Real matcha differs significantly from fake matcha, especially in terms of origin, production, appearance, consistency, smell and taste. In this blog you will learn how to recognize real Matcha and why Matcha quality is so important.

How do you recognize real Matcha quality?

Real Matcha comes from Japan and is t raditionally made from the finest, shaded Tencha tea leaves. Fake Matcha may look similar on the outside, but in terms of quality, taste and health benefits it is significantly inferior to real Matcha.

There are 6 important criteria that you can use to distinguish real Matcha from fake Matcha: origin, traditional production, appearance, consistency, smell and taste.

Matcha quality in comparison

Origin – Tencha as the basis for real Matcha

Real Matcha is made exclusively from shaded Tencha tea leaves . The tea farmer carefully picks the leaves and steams them to stop the fermentation process. The Tencha tea leaves are then dried and the stems and leaf veins are removed. What remains is the pure leaf pulp, which is called Tencha - the essence of authentic Matcha quality.

Production – Stone mill grinding for the highest Matcha quality

Real Matcha is ground in traditional granite stone mills. This method is particularly gentle and guarantees that the color, taste and health benefits of the delicate Tencha leaves are preserved. In just one hour, only 30 grams of the finest KISSA Matcha are produced - a sign of real Matcha quality.

Look

You can recognize high-quality Matcha by the intense, emerald green color of the powder. Fake Matcha, on the other hand, often has a yellowish or pale green color, which indicates inferior leaves or incorrect processing.

consistency

Real Matcha has a fine, powdery consistency . The Matcha powder should be smooth and light. Fake Matcha is often coarse-grained and less evenly ground, which is noticeable during preparation .

Odor

Real Matcha has a fresh, sweet smell reminiscent of spring meadows. Fake Matcha, on the other hand, can have a dull or grassy smell, which indicates inferior leaves or poor storage.

The taste

Real Matcha has a mild, lovely and slightly sweet taste with a pleasant umami note. Fake Matcha often tastes bitter and can have an unpleasant, metallic aftertaste.

Matcha Latte