Encha Latte Grade Organic Matcha

First-harvest organic matcha from Uji, Kyoto — the historical center of Japanese matcha since the 12th century. Encha specifically optimizes its latte-grade for drinks that mix matcha with milk, ice, and sweeteners.

Why latte grade (and not ceremonial)

If you're drinking matcha primarily as a latte — hot, iced, or blended — ceremonial grade is actually overkill. The subtle umami complexity that makes ceremonial matcha special gets lost under milk and sweetener.

Latte grade, on the other hand, is:

Slightly more robust in flavor
Bolder green color (holds up visually in a glass)
Still first-harvest quality (not culinary grade)
Better value per serving

Encha's latte grade is our pick for the person who drinks a matcha latte every morning and wants the best flavor-to-dollar ratio.

Flavor profile

Naturally sweet — first-harvest leaves carry more amino acids
Full-bodied umami — richer than ceremonial for latte drinks
Less delicate than ceremonial — designed to be tasted through milk
Vivid green — maintains color in cold drinks and ice
Clean finish — no grassy or fishy notes common in cheap matcha

How to use

Iced matcha latte (recommended):

Sift 1 tsp Encha into a cup, whisk with 1 tbsp hot water (175°F) to a smooth paste
Sweeten to taste (2-3 tsp simple syrup matches Starbucks)
Pour into a glass over ice
Add 10 oz cold oat milk
Stir and drink

Full recipe with Starbucks cup-size ratios: Starbucks Matcha Latte at Home.

Hot matcha latte: Same paste method, top with 8-12 oz steamed milk.

Smoothies: 1 tsp in any fruit smoothie adds vivid color and grassy complexity.

Baking: Excellent in cookies, ice cream, and frostings — the robust flavor survives the other ingredients.

Encha sourcing story

Encha works directly with a family-owned tea farm in Uji that's been producing matcha for four generations. The tea is shade-grown for 3+ weeks, hand-picked in the first spring harvest, steamed within hours, and stone-milled slowly in Uji — never shipped overseas for grinding (which many cheaper "Japanese" matchas do).

USDA Organic. Non-GMO. No pesticides. No additives.

Health profile

Same as ceremonial grade — you're drinking whole-leaf shade-grown green tea powder. Per 1 tsp serving:

~60-70mg caffeine — smoother than coffee due to L-theanine
Catechins (EGCG) for antioxidant support
L-theanine for calm focus
Zero calories, zero sugar

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Matcha is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Perfect for

Daily matcha latte drinkers (hot or iced)
People who found ceremonial matcha too delicate for their preferred prep method
Starbucks matcha latte lovers who want to make it at home for $1 per cup
Bakers and smoothie makers who need matcha to hold its flavor under other ingredients
Gifting to matcha-curious coffee drinkers