Table of Contents
What is organic matcha powder?
Organic Matcha Powder represents premium green tea craftsmanship—cultivated in China’s finest organic tea gardens, shade-grown to maximize chlorophyll and L-theanine content, and stone-milled to a silky micro-fine texture that preserves every bioactive compound. Unlike ordinary steeped tea, matcha is consumed in its entirety, delivering the full spectrum of green tea nutrients directly to the body. This makes it one of the most potent antioxidant, cognitive, and metabolic-support ingredients available to formulators.
Ceremonial Grade — First-Flush Premium
ORGANICWAY Ceremonial Grade Matcha is crafted from first-flush leaves harvested in April, after a minimum of 20 days under 95% shade coverage. This extended shading dramatically increases chlorophyll production (≥100mg/g), L-theanine content (≥2.5%), and EGCG concentration (≥15%), while developing a naturally sweet, umami-rich, smooth flavor profile with virtually no bitterness. The result is a vibrant jade-green powder ideal for traditional tea preparation—whisked with 80°C water using a chasen (bamboo whisk)—as well as premium wellness beverages requiring the cleanest, most delicate matcha expression.
Culinary Grade — Versatile Functionality
ORGANICWAY Culinary Grade Matcha is made from second-harvest June leaves, also shade-grown for ≥20 days but with slightly higher bitterness and deeper green coloration suited to mixing with milk, sweeteners, and other ingredients. With EGCG ≥12%, L-theanine ≥1.8%, and chlorophyll ≥80mg/g, this grade delivers the same core health benefits at a more accessible price point. Its robust flavor profile stands up beautifully in lattes, smoothies, protein shakes, baked goods, ice cream, and savory sauces—where the nuanced subtleties of ceremonial-grade matcha would be overwhelmed.
Shared Quality Foundation
Both grades are stone-milled using traditional granite stone mills at low friction to preserve heat-sensitive catechins and amino acids. Every batch is nitrogen-flushed and sealed in airtight containers to prevent oxidation and preserve the vibrant green color and fresh flavor. Both are certified organic under USDA (USA) and EU regulations, and verified by the Non-GMO Project.
PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Dual-Grade Specification Comparison
| Parameter | Ceremonial Grade | Culinary Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | China (Certified Organic Tea Gardens) | China (Certified Organic Tea Gardens) |
| Leaf Harvest | First flush (April) | Second harvest (June) |
| Cultivation | Shade-grown ≥20 days (95% shading) | Shade-grown ≥20 days (95% shading) |
| Processing | Steamed, stem-removed, stone-milled | Steamed, stem-included/mixed, stone-milled |
| Color | Bright jade-green | Deep green |
| Flavor | Sweet, umami-rich, smooth, virtually bitter-free | Robust, intense, slightly bitter |
| EGCG Content | ≥15% (HPLC) | ≥12% (HPLC) |
| L-Theanine | ≥2.5% | ≥1.8% |
| Chlorophyll | ≥100mg/g | ≥80mg/g |
| Caffeine | ~35mg/g | ~30mg/g |
| Particle Size D90 | ≤10µm | ≤15µm |
| ORAC Value | ≥1,500 µmol TE/g | ≥1,200 µmol TE/g |
| Moisture | ≤5% | ≤6% |
| Microbial TPC | <1,000 CFU/g | <5,000 CFU/g |
| Heavy Metals Pb | <0.05 ppm | <0.05 ppm |
| Heavy Metals Cd | <0.02 ppm | <0.02 ppm |
| Shelf Life | 12–24 months | 12–24 months |
| Storage | Cool, dry, dark (<21°C/70°F), sealed | Cool, dry, dark (<21°C/70°F), sealed |
Key Bioactive Compounds
| Compound | Function | Ceremonial | Culinary |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGCG | Most potent catechin; antioxidant, metabolic support | ≥15% | ≥12% |
| L-Theanine | Promotes alpha waves; calm alertness; counteracts caffeine jitters | ≥2.5% | ≥1.8% |
| Chlorophyll | Binds heavy metals and toxins; detox support | ≥100mg/g | ≥80mg/g |
| Caffeine | Sustained energy (synergized with L-theanine) | ~35mg/g | ~30mg/g |
| Other Catechins | ECG, EGC, ECG, Catechin gallate | Present | Present |
MICROBIOLOGICAL & CONTAMINANT STANDARDS
| Test Item | Specification | Testing Method |
|---|---|---|
| Total Plate Count (TPC) | <1,000 CFU/g (Ceremonial) / <5,000 CFU/g (Culinary) | ISO 4833 |
| Yeast & Mold | <1,000 CFU/g | ISO 21527 |
| E. coli | Negative/g | ISO 16649 |
| Salmonella | Negative/25g | ISO 6579 |
| Lead (Pb) | <0.05 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | <0.02 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (As) | < EU limit | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | < EU limit | ICP-MS |
| Pesticide Residues | 500+ residues not detected (EU/China MRL compliant) | LC-MS/MS, GC-MS |
| Radiation | Compliant with international food safety standards | Gamma spectrometry |
| EGCG Verification | HPLC-DAD, ISO 14502-2 | HPLC-DAD |
| L-Theanine Verification | Amino acid analyzer | AA analyzer |
| ORAC Verification | Brunswick Labs | Oxygen radical absorbance capacity |
CERTIFICATIONS
| Certification | Status | Issuing Body |
|---|---|---|
| USDA Organic | √ Available | USDA NOP |
| EU Organic | √ Available | EU 834/2007 |
| Non-GMO Project Verified | √ Verified | Non-GMO Project |
| Vegan | √ Verified | Self-declaration |
| Gluten-Free | √ Verified | Third-party lab |
| Kosher | √ Available on request | Certified agency |
| Halal | √ Available on request | Certified agency |
| ISO 22000 | √ Compliant | Bureau Veritas/SGS |
| HACCP | √ Compliant | Third-party audit |
APPLICATIONS & USAGE GUIDELINES
Dual-Grade Application Matrix
| Application | Ceremonial Grade | Culinary Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Tea Ceremony | √ Excellent (whisked with 80°C water, chasen) | ⚠️ Not recommended |
| Premium Hot/Cold Tea Beverages | √ Excellent (1g : 80ml water) | √ Good |
| Matcha Lattes | √ Excellent (mild flavor, frothy) | √ Excellent (robust flavor, cost-effective) |
| Smoothies & Shakes | √ Excellent (clean flavor, high nutrition) | √ Excellent (strong flavor stands up to other ingredients) |
| Bubble Tea / Pearl Tea | √ Good | √ Excellent (color + flavor intensity) |
| Protein Shakes & Meal Replacements | ⚠️ Good | √ Excellent (cost-effective fortification) |
| Bakery (bread, cookies, cakes) | ⚠️ Premium applications only (1–2%) | √ Excellent (1–5%, robust flavor holds up) |
| Confectionery (chocolate, mochi, ice cream) | √ Excellent (premium positioning) | √ Excellent (wide application range) |
| Savory Sauces & Marinades | ⚠️ Limited | √ Excellent (umami enhancement) |
| Dietary Supplements (capsules, tablets) | √ Excellent (high EGCG/L-theanine purity) | √ Good |
| Detox Formulas | √ Excellent (highest chlorophyll) | √ Good |
| Cosmetics (anti-aging serums, masks) | √ Excellent (premium skincare) | √ Good (body scrubs, hair care) |
| Pre-Workout / Energy Formulas | √ Excellent (calm sustained energy) | √ Excellent (metabolic + energy) |
| Post-Workout Recovery | √ Good | √ Excellent (anti-inflammatory EGCG) |
Traditional Brewing Guide
For Ceremonial Grade:
- Sift 1–2g of matcha into a bowl
- Pour 80ml of water at 80°C (176°F)—never boiling
- Whisk vigorously in M-shaped strokes with a chasen (bamboo whisk) until frothy
- Enjoy immediately—best consumed fresh
Formulation Guidelines
For Ceremonial Grade:
- Optimal for premium wellness beverages and dietary supplements targeting cognitive and anti-aging claims
- Higher L-theanine and EGCG content provides superior “calm alertness” and antioxidant efficacy
- Delicate sweet, umami-rich flavor requires minimal additional ingredients
- Micro-fine particle size (≤10µm) ensures smooth mouthfeel even in capsules
For Culinary Grade:
- Ideal for high-volume food and beverage applications
- Slightly bitter flavor profile complements milk, sweeteners, and baking ingredients
- Heat tolerance up to 85°C makes it suitable for baking and hot beverage applications
- More cost-effective for mass-market functional food and beverage lines
Stability Notes:
- Store in airtight packaging below 21°C (70°F), away from light, moisture, and strong odors
- Nitrogen-flushed packaging essential to prevent EGCG and chlorophyll oxidation
- Once opened, refrigerate to preserve vibrant green color and fresh flavor
- Shelf life: 12–24 months depending on storage conditions and grade
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Ceremonial Grade and Culinary Grade matcha?
A: Ceremonial Grade matcha is made from first-flush April leaves, shade-grown for ≥20 days, carefully deveined and destemmed, then stone-milled to a fine, sweet, umami-rich powder virtually free of bitterness. It is designed for direct consumption—traditionally whisked with hot water in a tea ceremony—and premium wellness beverages where the purest, most delicate matcha expression is desired. Culinary Grade matcha is made from second-harvest June leaves (still shade-grown), with the stem included or blended in, producing a deeper green color and more robust, slightly bitter flavor profile. It is specifically formulated to stand up to mixing with milk, sweeteners, heat, and other ingredients in food and beverage applications.
Q: Does matcha powder dissolve completely in liquid?
A: No. ORGANICWAY Organic Matcha Powder is made from whole stone-milled green tea leaves and is classified as dispersible rather than fully water-soluble. When mixed into liquid, it forms a suspension (not a clear solution). We recommend using a blender, shaker bottle, or chasen to thoroughly incorporate the powder and prevent settling. For clear beverage applications, matcha extract or filtered matcha solutions are recommended instead.
Q: What is the typical shelf life and bulk storage recommendation?
A: ORGANICWAY Organic Matcha Powder has a shelf life of 12–24 months from the production date, depending on storage conditions and grade. Store in a cool, dry, dark place below 21°C (70°F), away from direct sunlight, humidity, and strong odors. Keep in original sealed airtight packaging—nitrogen-flushed containers are essential to prevent oxidation of EGCG and chlorophyll degradation. Once opened, refrigeration is strongly recommended to preserve the vibrant green color and fresh flavor.
Q: Is your matcha powder non-GMO?
A: Yes. ORGANICWAY Organic Matcha Powder is sourced from organic tea plants cultivated without genetic modification. Both grades are certified organic under USDA (USA) and EU regulations, and verified by the Non-GMO Project—ensuring your formulations meet the highest non-GMO standards.
Q: What are EGCG and L-theanine, and why are they important?
A: EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) is the most abundant and powerful catechin antioxidant found in green tea—and its concentration is particularly high in shade-grown matcha. EGCG supports metabolic health (promoting fat oxidation and thermogenesis), provides potent antioxidant defense against free radicals, and offers DNA protection against UV-induced skin damage. L-theanine is a unique amino acid found almost exclusively in tea leaves. It promotes relaxation by increasing alpha brain wave activity and simultaneously counteracts the jittery effects of caffeine, delivering sustained, calm alertness and enhanced focus. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine in matcha is what creates the distinctive “zen state” energy that matcha is renowned for.
Q: What makes ORGANICWAY Chinese organic matcha superior?
A: ORGANICWAY sources organic matcha from premium certified organic tea gardens in China, where ideal climate conditions, proper altitude, and organic cultivation methods combine with traditional processing techniques (shade-growing, steaming, stone-milling) to produce high-quality matcha. Our organic tea gardens operate under strict USDA and EU organic certification standards, ensuring no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers are used. The combination of traditional cultivation methods and rigorous organic standards delivers a clean, premium-quality matcha suitable for food, beverage, and supplement formulations worldwide.
Q: How does shade-growing affect matcha quality?
A: Shade-growing (using 95% light-blocking canopies for ≥20 days before harvest) is the defining technique that distinguishes matcha from ordinary green tea. Without direct sunlight, tea plants compensate by producing significantly higher levels of chlorophyll (giving matcha its vivid green color), L-theanine (imparting umami and promoting calm focus), and EGCG (the most potent catechin). Research confirms that shade-grown matcha contains 2–3× more L-theanine and EGCG compared to non-shaded green tea.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity and lead time?
A: Sample orders start at 1–5kg. Bulk orders require a minimum of 25kg per grade. Standard production lead time is 10–20 days from order confirmation. Both Ceremonial Grade and Culinary Grade are available, with custom specifications (Brix, EGCG content, particle size) available upon request. Free samples are available via FedEx, UPS, or EMS.
PACKAGING & STORAGE
Standard Packaging Options
| Package Size | Material | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 25 kg | Food-grade fiber drum / carton with PE liner | Airtight, nitrogen-flush compatible |
| 10 kg | Food-grade carton with PE liner | Airtight, nitrogen-flush compatible |
| 5 kg | Foil zipper bag (for samples) | Resealable, oxygen-barrier |
| 1 kg | Foil zipper bag | Resealable, oxygen-barrier |
| Custom | Upon request | Available |
Storage Conditions
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Cool, dry (<21°C / 70°F) |
| Humidity | ≤50% relative humidity |
| Packaging | Airtight, nitrogen-flushed, oxygen-barrier, moisture-resistant, sealed |
| Shelf Life | 12–24 months from production date |
| Light | Protect from direct sunlight (critical for chlorophyll and EGCG retention) |
| Odor | Store away from strong odors (matcha absorbs odors) |
| Post-Opening | Refrigerate recommended after opening |
