Free tool · 2026 shortage guide
Is your matcha actually ceremonial grade?
A genuine tencha shortage has squeezed Japan's supply since late 2024, with wholesale prices still running 30–60% above pre-2025 levels through 2026. When authentic supply runs short, relabeled sencha powder, aged stock, and non-Japanese matcha sold as "ceremonial" fill the gap.
The 5 checks that matter
- Price — genuine ceremonial tencha has a real production floor; prices well under that are a red flag
- Named origin — Uji, Nishio, Yame, and Kagoshima are the regions to look for, ideally with a named farm
- Color — vivid, almost neon jade green; dull olive suggests older or lower-grade leaf
- Harvest date — a stated current-year first-flush harvest, not just a generic best-by date
- Texture — genuine ceremonial matcha is stone-ground to a silky, powder-fine texture