Kiyo Matcha Premium Grade Seijaku Organic Ceremonial Matcha - Pure Japanese First Harvest Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha Green Tea Powder from Japan (40g/1.4oz)

Let me start this off by saying I do NOT come from an Asian background. I am not the utmost expert on matcha. I do enjoy it prepared as taught by my ex who was from China so likely not the same as someone from Japan, or Japanese descended, whose culture has really become known for it and refined matcha to what we see normally in today's world. To me, this matcha has been quite nice. I have had other brands that were clearly cut with sugar to appeal to a more American market. I didn't care for those and maybe that's because of the way I was introduced to it, not sure. Anyway, this one does not have that problem. I think the flavor is solid but there is a hint of something missing from it (sorry, I wouldn't be able to name quite what that 'something' is, I know not helpful), but it is smooth and it froths beautifully. It lacks that almost chalk-like quality that other matchas are known to have. I just think this is a really great option and one of the better ones that I have tried. I have not tried it in a matcha latte... I don't really drink those, so I cannot attest to its use for that. Hopefully, this review was somewhat helpful!

**Background:** I am half Japanese and drink traditional matcha every day, preparing it the same way each time: I sift 2 grams of matcha powder into a preheated bowl, pour 60 ml of spring water heated to 176°F (80°C), and stir with a warmed bamboo chasen. I used to write long reviews, but now I try to get straight to the point. First impression: The matcha has a nice green color—it's not the deepest green, but definitely above average. It's stored in a tin with a lid that has some kind of foil seal, although it doesn't come in the foil bag I usually get matcha in. Just smelling the matcha, it has more of a straw or hay scent rather than fresh green grass. Taste and brewing: The first thing I notice is that this matcha is on the drier side. It's less clumpy than many premium matchas, so it disperses easily—which makes me a bit concerned it might be too dry. Once brewed traditionally, it releases a nice straw aroma. It foamed up about average for a premium matcha. I don't normally drink it out of a clear glass, but I took a photo just so you can see the ratio. I also didn't stir it aggressively, which I usually do. Taste and mouthfeel: For mouthfeel, this earns an A+—probably the least chalky matcha I've had in a long time. I’m not sure if it’s due to the grind or the leaves, but there was very little to no chalkiness—dare I say creamy. The foam also had a wonderful texture. Another impressive point is the complete lack of bitterness. Not only was the texture smooth, but the taste was very smooth as well. Once brewed, the color was a deep green—not the deepest, but definitely above average even for premium matcha. The aroma again leaned toward straw rather than deep green grassy notes. As for umami, this is where it felt a little short. There was definitely a hint of umami, but it wasn’t as strong or savory as I expected. I often seek a potent umami flavor, which sometimes requires accepting a bit of bitterness. At $0.92 a gram, this is definitely on the higher end, but the overall price of matcha has skyrocketed, making access to high-quality matcha even more difficult to find. So I think this is a fair value, if not a good deal. I think for someone who is very focused on texture, this is an extremely interesting option because it lacks the chaff that you sometimes get and almost reaches into the creamy notes, which is pretty crazy. I also think it’s great for people who are sensitive to bitter tastes; it’s very smooth and has very little to no bitterness. This also makes an interesting option for koicha (thick matcha). Both the lack of bitterness and the almost creamy texture would really be highlighted when you make it super thick. I beg you, please don't make a matcha latte with this stuff. It is so good on its own, but if you do, this is actually a pretty good option because it's so creamy, lacks bitterness, and will complement the milk (tears of sadness).

Kiyo Premium Grade Seijaku Organic Ceremonial Matcha is a high grade, first-harvest, USDA and JAS-certified organic matcha from Uji, Japan. This Matcha is sourced from Uji, Kyoto, which is like the Champagne region for matcha. Uji has ideal soil, climate, and centuries of tea-making history. Kiyo emphasizes small-batch production and Japan’s domestic market standards are quite strict. First-harvest leaves are the gold standard for ceremonial grade, packing higher L-theanine for a smooth, calm-energy vibe. USDA and JAS organic seals mean it’s grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and it’s tested for purity - JAS requires testing for hundreds of chemicals, radiation, and heavy metals. This matcha comes in a small, airtight can to keep it fresh. This is critical since matcha oxidizes VERY quickly. Small batches and packaging ensure you’re not getting stale green dust with lost flavor and punch. Once you crack it open, you’ll want to run through your matcha supply in 4-5 weeks for best results. Don’t try and save it for special occasions as matcha doesn’t age well once exposed to oxygen. When subjected to light, heat, air or humidity, matcha loses its vibrant color, umami flavor, and antioxidant punch. You can extend the storage life a bit by taping the can closed between uses to ensure a solid airtight seal. Store the can in a cool dark place. Up to 8-10 weeks in storage can be achieved if you tape the can shut after each use and store it in the fridge. The catch to this method is that you MUST bring the can back to room temperature before opening it to avoid condensation - removing the can from the fridge a day or two before planned use is best. Matcha is rich in L-theanine and antioxidants (100 times greater than typical green tea). It provides sustained energy without the jitters (such as with coffee). Matcha is also supposed to be good for boosting metabolism and for fat-burning during exercise. This product is Kiyo’s Premium Grade, a step above their Classic Matcha but not their high end product. That said, I found the flavor and aroma of this premium matcha was lovely and made me wish that I still had a matcha ceremonial set to consume it properly. I had to get creative in my kitchen to whip it up as I lacked the proper tools. I whisked it up in near boiling water with a hot chocolate whisk, making a “W” pattern and ended up with a frothy meditative cup that brought back some old memories - I hadn’t made matcha in quite a while… Overall, this Kiyo matcha did not disappoint. It’s a reliable, organic, ceremonial matcha with a solid provenance.

A great matcha powder, it's fragrant and mixes well. Wasn't super compacted and didn't come with any issues which I appreciate in a good product. The packaging looks premium and it's stored nicely inside. Lid comes off and reapplies easily. Seems like a very good, genuine matcha. Very flavorful and helps boost me up in the morning. Definitely would get this brand again, it's really good!