frequently asked questions
Why is it more expensive than other teas?
The artisan production of organic matcha is a process that takes an enormous amount of human resources and time, this process has changed very little in almost 1,000 years. Each stage of production, from growing the tea plant and putting it under shade for the last part of its growth, to harvesting, the meticulous selection of the leaves, stone-grinding with hand-carved granite blocks and preparation, involves specialised artisans.
Kumiko Matcha is entirely made in Japan by farmers who follow very strict international standards for organic farming and have been growing tea for more than 100 years. Labour costs are also higher in Japan than in China, or in Sri Lanka for example.
In addition, 99% of matcha produced in Japan is consumed in Japan. Only a very small part is exported (although this is changing), so the costs for importing and transporting to Europe are high. In fact, considering transport costs to France, we offer better prices than Japanese suppliers at equal quality.
When you drink a bowl of matcha, you get the equivalent of 10 bowls of normal green tea as an infusion. So if you drink green tea mainly for its health benefits, the equivalent price is quite reasonable.
PS: In the past, matcha was reserved only for the elite: the Samurai, the Emperor and senior government leaders. Now the price is much more reasonable than it was at the time 
>>> Click here to discover our full article on matcha price
What is the difference between Kumiko Matcha and another brand?
The main differences between us and other brands are:
Freshness – we only import in small quantities, which means that Kumiko’s matcha was prepared to order since last month. You get a much fresher product than what is available in supermarkets or in shops that order in huge quantities and store their products for the whole year.
How do you recognise “fresh” matcha? A saturated green colour, very little (or no) bitterness and a fresh, herbal green tea smell.
The highest levels of quality – during production the tea leaves are sorted by quality. The youngest and most delicate leaves are set aside exclusively for premium matcha. In fact, many products sold as “matcha” are not really matcha but rather ordinary green tea powder.
matcha has unique characteristics:
- the tea is shade-grown for part of its life
- hand-picked
- sorted and graded according to the quality of the leaves
- the stems and veins of the leaf are removed
- the tea is ground by granite blocks
Many loose green tea powders found in shops do not go through these steps. This means they are not real “matcha” teas. That is why most products found in shops are very bitter and dull in colour, sometimes even yellow or brown (this means the stems and veins have not been removed).
We sell matcha tea exclusively – At Kumiko Matcha, premium matcha is our only focus, it is our passion and what we promise you. Unlike other companies that sell all types of teas, we focus on one thing that we do with excellence: finding the best quality matcha and bringing it to you.
What does matcha tea taste like?
Chlorophyll and amino acids give matcha tea its unique taste. A rich and mellow taste in the mouth, initially vegetal and herbal, slightly astringent, with a tannin sensation followed by a soft, barely sweet finish. matcha prepared the traditional way in a bowl and with a Japanese bamboo whisk is a deep and saturated green. The intensity of the experience is comparable to your first sip of a good wine.
Added to a culinary preparation, the taste becomes more subtle. matcha adds its taste and its green colour to your creation, whether it is a smoothie, latte, a pastry or any other sweet or savoury dish.
>>> Click here to learn about the taste of matcha
How will I feel after drinking a bowl of matcha?
You will feel a higher level of awareness and an ease in concentrating and being “present” in everything you do. While remaining very calm. You will have a flow of pure energy and mental clarity that is excellent for working.
It is a very beneficial state for writing, learning, studying and doing any activity that requires intense focus. It is also a fantastic help in fighting fatigue.
>>> Discover our full article on the effect of matcha on energy levels
Does matcha contain caffeine?
Are Kumiko Matcha teas certified organic?
Yes, all Kumiko Matcha teas are certified “Organic Farming” according to European standards. This means that absolutely no pesticides are used in growing our products.
All our products are analysed in an independent laboratory in Germany to test for the presence of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemical residues. Any product that does not pass the test is destroyed. In fact, we check for the total absence of more than 200 varieties of chemicals so that our products comply with the highest international standards. We set the bar extremely high when it comes to the quality of our products.
Nowhere else in Asia, the United States and South America will you find a product tested as rigorously, because these countries are more lax about this type of regulation (example: pesticides are allowed).
Our products arrive from Japan by sea in refrigerated containers to the port of Hamburg in Germany, where they are quickly unloaded into a warehouse that is also refrigerated. Even though it is not necessary to refrigerate matcha to store it, this additional constraint makes our products even fresher, and few other tea brands have such high quality standards.
Where are Kumiko Matcha teas grown?
Our matcha teas are grown in Japan in several different regions and terroirs depending on the product. For example, our organic premium matcha is grown on the island of Kyushu, while our vintage & terroir Nakai vintage matcha is grown in the isolated tea fields of the Kyoto region.
Why is it so good? Does the taste have nothing in common with other teas?
Matcha is full of umami (a Japanese term meaning “deliciously savoury” and also the 5th basic taste alongside sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Umami has a lasting and gentle aftertaste. It causes salivation and a furry sensation on the tongue, by stimulating the throat, the palate and the back of the tongue), and sweetness. It has a robust acidic structure and a long finish, sometimes up to 30 seconds.
Matcha is much more comparable to a good wine, because of its complexity, than other teas.
>>> Click here to learn more about umami
Do I need to worry about radiation from Fukushima?
No, our producers and our independent laboratory in Germany carried out extensive tests. No trace of radiation was detected.
How much matcha is needed for a bowl / a cup?
About 1 gram, i.e. one dose of chashaku (traditional bamboo scoop) or 1/2 teaspoon. A 30g tin of Kumiko Matcha therefore contains the equivalent of 30 bowls.
How much do you have in stock?
We have very limited quantities of premium matcha because we import in small quantities, and only 1% of matcha production in Japan is dedicated to export.
In fact, the Japanese produce 100,000 tonnes of tea each year, of which 99% is intended for their own consumption, while only 1% of this quantity is exported. Although Japan is one of the world’s largest tea producers, the Japanese consume so much tea that Japan imports more than 50,000 tonnes of tea in addition for its inhabitants.
Some of our teas are also allocated to the small group of organic shops and restaurants that offer our products.
Our stock therefore sells out very quickly because our customers order regularly every month.
Where do you ship to?
We ship in Metropolitan France via Colissimo with a tracking number.
- Delivery is free for any order over €45.
- Fixed fee of €6.99 for other orders.
- Orders are sent the following day; you will receive them in 3–4 working days.
We ship within the European Union for a fixed fee of €15
- Delivery by La Poste in 5–6 working days.
Can I drink matcha while breastfeeding?
It is generally recommended to limit your caffeine intake while breastfeeding; however, matcha contains much less caffeine than coffee. You can have 1–2 cups of matcha per day.
>>> Click here to discover our full article on matcha during pregnancy and breastfeeding
How do I store my matcha?
The most important thing is to keep your matcha with the lid tightly closed, out of reach of sunlight, in a dry, cool place. If you take the powder out of its tin, it must be kept in the dark.
If you want to keep your matcha “fresh” for a long period (more than a month), put it in the fridge or even in the freezer.
If you consume it regularly, room temperature is enough.
What dose of matcha should I consume?
There are no strict limits, but if you are sensitive to caffeine, limit your consumption to 1–2 bowls per day. Matcha increases your energy level for a long period of 4 to 6 hours, so don’t have it if you need to sleep soon.
>>> Click here to understand the recommended matcha consumption per day
Will matcha help me lose weight?
It’s possible. Although there is no miracle solution, matcha and green tea have proven thermogenic properties that speed up your metabolism. This means your body naturally burns more calories. Matcha can also reduce your appetite. As part of a healthy diet and a regular exercise programme, matcha is an excellent asset for your weight loss.
>>> Click here to read our dedicated article on matcha and weight loss
I’m a shop or a restaurant, can I sell your products?
Yes, visit our Business Space here.
Some of the most refined and most famous restaurants in the world serve matcha, and many of their acclaimed chefs drink it every day.
To see for yourself, try Kumiko Matcha today. Or start a discussion with us to find out how your restaurant can join our list of premium clients. We will train your team on how to prepare and serve these rare teas, and we will provide you with a list of talking points for your front-of-house staff. Contact us to find out more.
I’m a business, can I buy your products for my office and/or my employees?
Our friends and readers who drink Kumiko Matcha at work tend to be at their best, happier, focused and relaxed at the same time, with optimal health, and above all, calmly productive.
We offer complete support, education, personalised training, and exceptionally dedicated customer service. Ordering is very easy and can be automated to suit your needs. Contact us to find out how Kumiko Matcha can contribute to the health and productivity of your organisation.
A question we haven’t answered? Contact us to ask us directly!