Is It Matcha or Sencha?

If you’re wondering how we select which matcha to share with you, here’s a quick guide to help you identify authentic matcha and avoid common mislabeling in the market.

The general green tea market is vast, with over 100 Japanese terms that classify tea based on leaf type, region, growth method, and refinement process. To keep things simple, we’ll focus on two main types: Matcha and Sencha.

What Makes Matcha Authentic?

All of the matcha we offer is authentic matcha—made from Tencha.

• Tencha refers to tea leaves grown under shade, a unique process that enhances L-theanine and chlorophyll levels, contributing to matcha’s vibrant green color, smooth umami taste, and calming effects.
• After shading, the leaves undergo meticulous refinement—stems and veins are removed, and the leaves are dried before being stone-ground into a fine, silky powder.
• This traditional process creates the true matcha experience—a smooth, sweet, and creamy beverage with a gentle finish.

How Sencha Is Different

Sencha, on the other hand, is much simpler to produce:

• There is no shading process, meaning the tea develops more catechins, leading to a more astringent, grassy taste instead of matcha’s smooth umami flavor.
• Once harvested, the leaves are simply steamed, dried, and ground, with no refinement process.
• While Sencha is still a healthy green tea, it does not qualify as matcha because it lacks the shading process, refinement, and stone grinding that define authentic matcha.

How to Spot Fake “Matcha”

Unfortunately, the term "matcha" is not regulated, leading to low-quality, mislabeled products on the market.

Here’s how to tell if your “matcha” might actually be ground Sencha:

• Color: Authentic matcha is vibrant green, while low-quality imitations appear dull, yellowish, or brown.
• Texture: Real matcha is ultra-fine and silky, while fake versions are often coarse, gritty, or clumpy—similar to table salt.
• Price: True matcha, due to its labor-intensive production, costs more per gram than Sencha, which is often sold at 3¢-4¢ per gram under the false label of "matcha."
• Taste: High-quality matcha has a smooth, sweet umami flavor, while fake versions taste harsh, bitter, or overly grassy.

Why Choose Santé Matcha?

You’ll never have to second-guess the quality of Santé Matcha. Whether you choose Culinary or Ceremonial Grade, you can rest assured that every product we offer is made from the finest Tencha, grown in Japan and stone-ground to perfection.