Matcha – Where to Begin?
Matcha is a powdered green tea made from Japanese tea plants grown in shade. The leaf is then ground to a powder, that is whisked in water. Unlike regular tea that you steep in a pot, with matcha you consume the entire leaf, giving matcha a higher caffeine content and a rich, umami flavor. At Sing Tehus, we've spent over 18 years sourcing authentic Japanese matcha and collaborating with some of the most esteemed producers in Japan.
Matcha comes in two main grades, suited for different purposes
Ceremonial Grade: The highest quality, meant to be enjoyed with just water. It has a smooth, naturally sweet taste. For beginners, we recommend Hoshinotsuyu. from Hoshino Seichaen in Fukuoka—known for its nutty, chocolatey notes that provide a comfortable introduction to matcha.
Culinary Grade: Stronger in flavor, this matcha is ideal for lattes, baking, and smoothies. We use Matcha Yamabuki from Hoshino Seichaen in our oat milk lattes—robust yet smooth. We find its stronger yet sweet flavour suits a latte perfectly, while the subtler notes of the ceremonial grade can get lost.
For something different, try Hojicha Powder —a mellow, toasty alternative made from roasted green tea.
The technical difference between culinary and ceremonial matcha, is primarily determined by how the tea is milled, but says little about the quality of tea leaf used. “Ceremonial” and “Culinary” indicate grade and intended usage, not nescessarily quality. A high-quality culinary matcha will outperform low-grade ceremonial. Avoid using ceremonial matcha in lattes—its delicate taste gets lost in milk.
For those new to matcha, starting with a versatile option like the Matcha Explorer Set can be an excellent way to sample different varieties and discover your preference.
Matcha Manufacturers
At Sing Tehus, we source our matcha from some of Japan’s most respected producers, ensuring authenticity and exceptional quality.
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Hoshino Seichaen – Based in Yame, Fukuoka, Hoshino is family-run and driven by the 4th generation, they are known for their deep umami-rich matcha with warm, comforting flavors. Using traditional hand-picking and careful processing, they produce both ceremonial and culinary-grade matcha. Their ceremonial matcha comes in matte black tins. They also produce our excellent Matcha Yamabuki.
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Marukyu Koyamaen – A historic tea house in Uji with over 300 years of expertise, Marukyu Koyamaen offers refined matcha with perfumed, slightly sharper notes—classic of the Uji region. Their ceremonial tins are recognized by their green lids with white and blue sides.
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Horii Shichimeien – Founded in 1879 in Uji, this family-run producer uses centuries-old methods and cultivates a 400-year-old tea garden. Their ceremonial matchas are rare and highly prized, often found in fully green or glossy black tins.
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Obubu Tea Farms – Located in Wazuka, Kyoto, Obubu is a small, community-focused farm known for sustainability and education. We have close ties with them, and several of our team have interned there. Their ceremonial matcha comes in silver ziplock bags or silver tins.
Essential Tools for Preparation
To prepare matcha traditionally, certain tools are essential:
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Chasen (Bamboo Whisk): Handcrafted through hundreds of years from a single piece of bamboo, this whisk is the perfect tool to blend matcha powder seamlessly with water, creating a frothy texture. We recommend storing the whisk on a Chasen Naoshi (whisk holder) after use, to help the whisk dry and maintain its shape.
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Chawan (Tea Bowl): A wide, open bowl that allows for efficient whisking. Collecting and choosing “Chawan” for both the guest, event and season will be a matter of great pride for a Japanese tea master, but for the purposes of the at-home matcha lover, one bowl should suffice.
For beginners, the Matcha Premium Kit offers all the the necessary tools, along with high-quality matcha, providing an introduction to the art of matcha preparation. For the more dedicated, the Matcha Unika Kit provides a unique Chawan (tea bowl), along with all required equipment. For those wanting to begin preparing wonderful Matcha Latte at home, our Matcha Latte Kit has you covered.
Learning Through Experience
Sing Tehus offers Matcha Workshops in Copenhagen (Værnedamsvej and Rosenvængets Allé), where you’ll learn traditional techniques, history, and make your own matcha.
For deeper insight into Japanese tea philosophy, we reccomend The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō.
Embark on your matcha journey with us—it’s a flavorful path into Japanese tea culture.
Embarking on your matcha journey is a rewarding experience, enriching both your palate and appreciation for Japanese tea culture. We invite you to explore our selection and join us in celebrating the art of matcha.
Matcha – Where to begin?
Matcha – Where to Begin?
Matcha is a powdered green tea made from Japanese tea plants grown in shade. The leaf is then ground to a powder, that is whisked in water. Unlike regular tea that you steep in a pot, with matcha you consume the entire leaf, giving matcha a higher caffeine content and a rich, umami flavor. At Sing Tehus, we've spent over 18 years sourcing authentic Japanese matcha and collaborating with some of the most esteemed producers in Japan.
Matcha comes in two main grades, suited for different purposes
Ceremonial Grade: The highest quality, meant to be enjoyed with just water. It has a smooth, naturally sweet taste. For beginners, we recommend Hoshinotsuyu. from Hoshino Seichaen in Fukuoka—known for its nutty, chocolatey notes that provide a comfortable introduction to matcha.
Culinary Grade: Stronger in flavor, this matcha is ideal for lattes, baking, and smoothies. We use Matcha Yamabuki from Hoshino Seichaen in our oat milk lattes—robust yet smooth. We find its stronger yet sweet flavour suits a latte perfectly, while the subtler notes of the ceremonial grade can get lost.
For something different, try Hojicha Powder —a mellow, toasty alternative made from roasted green tea.
The technical difference between culinary and ceremonial matcha, is primarily determined by how the tea is milled, but says little about the quality of tea leaf used. “Ceremonial” and “Culinary” indicate grade and intended usage, not nescessarily quality. A high-quality culinary matcha will outperform low-grade ceremonial. Avoid using ceremonial matcha in lattes—its delicate taste gets lost in milk.
For those new to matcha, starting with a versatile option like the Matcha Explorer Set can be an excellent way to sample different varieties and discover your preference.
Matcha Manufacturers
At Sing Tehus, we source our matcha from some of Japan’s most respected producers, ensuring authenticity and exceptional quality.
Essential Tools for Preparation
To prepare matcha traditionally, certain tools are essential:
Chasen (Bamboo Whisk): Handcrafted through hundreds of years from a single piece of bamboo, this whisk is the perfect tool to blend matcha powder seamlessly with water, creating a frothy texture. We recommend storing the whisk on a Chasen Naoshi (whisk holder) after use, to help the whisk dry and maintain its shape.
Chawan (Tea Bowl): A wide, open bowl that allows for efficient whisking. Collecting and choosing “Chawan” for both the guest, event and season will be a matter of great pride for a Japanese tea master, but for the purposes of the at-home matcha lover, one bowl should suffice.
Chashaku (Bamboo Scoop): A delicate scoop used to measure the perfect amount of matcha powder. Similar to the whisk this tool has looked the same for 500 years.
For beginners, the Matcha Premium Kit offers all the the necessary tools, along with high-quality matcha, providing an introduction to the art of matcha preparation. For the more dedicated, the Matcha Unika Kit provides a unique Chawan (tea bowl), along with all required equipment. For those wanting to begin preparing wonderful Matcha Latte at home, our Matcha Latte Kit has you covered.
Learning Through Experience
Sing Tehus offers Matcha Workshops in Copenhagen (Værnedamsvej and Rosenvængets Allé), where you’ll learn traditional techniques, history, and make your own matcha.
For deeper insight into Japanese tea philosophy, we reccomend The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō.
Embark on your matcha journey with us—it’s a flavorful path into Japanese tea culture.
Embarking on your matcha journey is a rewarding experience, enriching both your palate and appreciation for Japanese tea culture. We invite you to explore our selection and join us in celebrating the art of matcha.