If you’re exploring the world of matcha, you may have encountered the term matcha blend and wondered, what is matcha blend exactly? More than just a buzzword, blending is a centuries-old practice rooted in Japanese tea culture. Today, matcha blends are used to achieve balanced flavours, vivid colour, and smooth texture—whether for ceremonial sipping or lattes in your favourite café.
In this guide, we’ll break down the meaning of matcha blends, why producers create them, and how to choose the best matcha blends for your lifestyle.
What is Matcha Blend?
At its most basic, a matcha blend combines ground green tea leaves (tencha) from multiple cultivars—sometimes even sourced from different farms or regions across Japan. This is not to be confused with flavoured or sweetened products. Instead, a matcha tea blend is a masterfully crafted formula of different tea leaf types, designed to bring out specific taste and aesthetic qualities.
If you’re wondering what’s in a matcha blend, the answer lies in the cultivar combinations. Each cultivar has its own distinct profile, and blending allows for nuanced control over the final product.
Product in feature: Daily Uji Matcha 50g
Why Blend Matcha?
Blending isn’t about compromise — it’s about precision. Here’s why producers choose to create matcha in blended form:
1. Complexity
Some cultivars are known for sweetness, others for umami, while some offer exceptional colour or aroma. Blending them allows producers to highlight each element, crafting a more layered and satisfying taste experience.
2. Consistency
Tea crops vary from year to year based on climate and soil conditions. By blending, producers can maintain a stable flavour profile across harvests. This is especially important for cafés, bakeries, and restaurants seeking a reliable matcha blend for beginners or regular customers.
3. Customisation
Blends can be tailored for specific uses: ceremonial blends are delicate, ideal for sipping straight. Culinary blends are stronger and more robust, perfect for whisking into lattes or baking into desserts. This makes them ideal for commercial settings and home kitchens alike.
Our Ceremonial Matcha Blend
A quick look at our ceremonial matcha blend - crafted from three first-harvest cultivars for depth, elegance, and nuance:
Okumidori - Delicate and sweet, lending vibrant green and smooth umami.
Yabukita - The classic heart of Japanese tea, bringing balance, structure, and depth.
Saemidori - Silky smooth with bright notes, enhancing both flavour and aroma.
