Matcha price: why does matcha vary so much in price?
Short answer: Matcha prices vary so much because of the quality of the leaf (how young it is and which harvest), the shade growing, the processing and grinding, the origin and whether it is organic. That is why ceremonial grade costs more per gram than culinary matcha. Always compare the price per gram or per cup: divide the price by the number of grams and multiply that by the 1 to 2 grams you use per cup.
Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin
We sell three kinds of matcha ourselves, so we are not a neutral party. That is why we show you how to compare prices yourself and where the differences come from. What matcha is exactly and how to prepare it is explained in what is matcha.
What does matcha cost per gram and per cup?
A bag of matcha may look expensive, but you only use 1 to 2 grams per cup. So don't look at the price per bag or tin, but at the price per gram and per cup. This is how you work it out:
- Find the price and the number of grams on the pack or the product page.
- Divide the price by the number of grams. That is the price per gram.
- Multiply the price per gram by what you use per cup, usually 1 to 2 grams. That is the price per cup.
An example with round, made-up amounts: a 30 gram tin for €15 costs €0.50 per gram, a 90 gram bag for €30 costs €0.33 per gram. The tin is cheaper to buy, but for a 1 gram cup you pay €0.50 versus €0.33. For our matcha, the sum looks like this:
| Matcha | Contents | Cups of 1 gram | Cups of 2 grams | Price per 1 gram cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Matcha Powder (culinary, China) | 90 g | 90 | 45 | Price ÷ 90 |
| Premium Organic Matcha Powder (Japan) | 90 g | 90 | 45 | Price ÷ 90 |
| Matcha Powder Ceremonial Grade (Japan) | 60 g | 60 | 30 | Price ÷ 60 |
The current price and any promotions are on the product page; just click the name in the table. If you use 2 grams per cup, double the price per cup. Buying several bags at once? Divide the total price by the total number of grams.
Why is ceremonial grade more expensive than culinary matcha?
Ceremonial grade is made from the youngest leaves and is meant to be drunk on its own, with water only. Then you taste everything: sweetness, umami and any bitterness. That is why young leaves are selected for ceremonial grade and the leaf is slowly ground between granite millstones. Culinary matcha is meant for lattes and recipes, where milk and other flavours soften the bitterness. According to a recent review, the quality of matcha on the market varies widely, from ceremonial grade to basic powders (Unno et al., 2026).
What determines the price of matcha?
| Factor | Why it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Age of the leaf and the harvest | Ceremonial grade uses only the youngest leaves, so there is less leaf per harvest. The composition of matcha also differs by harvest time (Jakubczyk et al., 2020 and 2024). |
| Shade growing | The bushes are covered for a few weeks before harvest. That is extra work, and it leads to more chlorophyll and L-theanine in the leaf (Kochman et al., 2020). |
| Processing | The leaves are steamed and dried, and the veins and stems are removed. Only then do you have tencha, the leaf that matcha is ground from. |
| Grinding | Granite millstones grind slowly. That gives a very fine powder, but it takes more time per kilo than fast machine grinding. |
| Origin | Our culinary matcha comes from China and our premium and ceremonial grade from Japan. Origin, transport and demand all play a part in the purchase price. |
| Organic | Organic farming is inspected and certified. All our matcha is organic. |
| Packaging and quantity | A small 20 or 30 gram tin can cost much more per gram than a 90 gram bag. So always compare per gram. |
Is more expensive matcha always better?
No, it depends on what you use it for. If you drink matcha on its own, with water only, you clearly taste the difference between ceremonial grade and culinary matcha. If you mainly make lattes or smoothies, or bake with it, that difference largely disappears and culinary or premium matcha is fine. We like ceremonial grade best on its own and use premium for a latte.
More expensive does not automatically mean more compounds either. In a Polish study, infusions of so-called Daily Matcha (second and third harvest) actually scored higher on most measured values, such as polyphenols, than Traditional Matcha from the first and second harvest (Jakubczyk et al., 2020). The price mainly reflects taste, colour and how fine the matcha is.
How do you recognise good matcha for your money?
- Only matcha on the ingredients list. A latte mix may also contain sugar or milk powder; then you are paying for more than matcha.
- A bright green colour. The green comes from chlorophyll from shade growing. Dull or yellowish green powder is less suitable for drinking on its own.
- Taste it on its own. Use water at 75 to 80 °C; boiling water makes any matcha bitter, and then you can no longer taste the difference in quality.
- Origin and grade stated. The country and the grade (ceremonial grade, premium or culinary) should be on the packaging.
- Organic and tested. An EU organic logo and an independent lab test for quality and purity.
- Well packed. Airtight and lightproof, with a clear best-before date.
The three grades side by side are compared in the difference between culinary, premium and ceremonial matcha.
Why is matcha more expensive than regular green tea?
With regular green tea you steep the leaves and then throw them away. With matcha you drink the whole leaf, and that leaf has gone through extra steps: shading, steaming, removing veins and stems and fine grinding. Per cup it is not so bad: you only use 1 to 2 grams, so a 90 gram bag gives you 45 to 90 cups.
How do you get the most out of your matcha?
- Match the grade to the use: culinary or premium for lattes and recipes, ceremonial grade on its own.
- Measure precisely: half a teaspoon is about 1 gram. More powder gives a stronger taste, not necessarily a better cup.
- Use water at 75 to 80 °C and whisk the matcha well.
- Store it in a cool, dry and dark place and close the bag properly.
- Use a whisk. A bamboo whisk makes matcha smooth and frothy. How that works is explained in matcha starter kit: what do you need.
All grades, sets and the bamboo whisk are in buy matcha.
Summary in 3 points
- The price of matcha depends on the leaf (young or older), shade growing, processing and grinding, origin and organic farming.
- Compare per gram or per cup: divide the price by the number of grams and multiply by the 1 to 2 grams you use per cup.
- More expensive is not always better: culinary or premium matcha is fine for lattes and recipes, ceremonial grade is for drinking on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cup of matcha cost?
That depends on the price per gram and how much you use. Divide the price by the number of grams and multiply that by what you use per cup, usually 1 to 2 grams. With a 90 gram bag and 1 gram per cup, a cup is the price divided by 90; with 2 grams it is double. The current prices of our matcha are in buy matcha.
Why is ceremonial matcha so expensive?
Ceremonial grade is made from the youngest leaves and slowly ground between stones, because you drink it on its own and taste every difference. That takes more leaf and more time per kilo than culinary matcha.
Is cheap matcha bad?
Not necessarily. Cheaper matcha is often culinary matcha, meant for lattes, smoothies and baking. Do check that the ingredients list says matcha only, that the colour is bright green and that the origin is stated.
How many cups of matcha do you get from a bag?
With 1 gram per cup you get 90 cups from a 90 gram bag and 60 cups from a 60 gram bag. If you use 2 grams per cup, it is half: 45 or 30 cups.
Is Japanese matcha better than Chinese matcha?
Not automatically. The composition of matcha depends on origin, harvest time and growing method (Jakubczyk et al., 2024). We use our culinary matcha from China for lattes and recipes; to drink on its own, we choose the Japanese premium or ceremonial grade.
Sources
- Kochman J et al. (2020). Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review. Molecules 26(1):85. Review of cultivation and composition. doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010085
- Jakubczyk K et al. (2020). Antioxidant Properties and Nutritional Composition of Matcha Green Tea. Foods 9(4):483. Comparison of matcha from different harvests. doi.org/10.3390/foods9040483
- Jakubczyk K et al. (2024). Exploring the Influence of Origin, Harvest Time, and Cultivation Method on Antioxidant Capacity and Bioactive Compounds of Matcha Teas. Foods 13(8):1270. Analysis of eleven matcha teas. doi.org/10.3390/foods13081270
- Unno K et al. (2026). Compositional Diversity and Functional Interactions of Bioactive Compounds in Japanese Green Tea: Focus on Matcha, Sencha, and Gyokuro. Molecules 31(16):2934. doi.org/10.3390/molecules31162934
- Product information and labels of GOYU Organic Matcha Powder, Premium Organic Matcha Powder and Matcha Powder Ceremonial Grade, accessed 5 November 2026.
This article is for information only. Matcha naturally contains caffeine and is not recommended for children and pregnant women.
Matcha from GOYU
Organic matcha in three grades: culinary (90 g), premium (90 g) and ceremonial grade (60 g). No additives and independently tested.
