Reputable source for online Matcha purcases?

October 18, 2008 10:31 PM

Who should I buy Matcha online from?

I've found a few places online:

• Matcha Source
• Serenditpitea

Anyone wanna voutch for the quality of their source?

posted by cm to Food & Drink (7 answers total)

I've never bought from either one you list, but have bought from Hibiki-An and O-cha.com. Both have very nice quality, direct from Japan. Hibiki-An has free shipping for orders over $38.
posted by thread_makimaki at 6:08 AM on October 19, 2008 [1 favorite]

My roommate gets his from Tea Zone (teazonline.com) and it is _awesome_.
posted by MaddyRex at 10:01 AM on October 19, 2008

Upton Tea Imports is a well-known and respectable online tea shop (you'll see them mentioned in pretty much every Ask Mefi about online tea shopping). They carry two grades of matcha.
posted by liet at 10:27 AM on October 19, 2008

Do anybody know online shops in Europe? (besides Hibiki-An which ships worldwide: The Danish post-office slams a $11 surcharge for the favour of collecting import tax from countries outside EU, so I'd prefer shopping inside EU).

I buy macha from tea.dk, but they have only the very expensive organic macha: 1.8 oz is $28 (excl VAT and shipping), and they haven't updated their selection of teas for a long time, so I fear they're might be going out of business.
posted by flif at 11:43 AM on October 19, 2008

Ippodo has been selling tea in Kyoto for hundreds of years. I've always been very happy with their service.
posted by spasm at 1:32 PM on October 19, 2008

Hello All - I am the owner/founder of Matcha Source which a friend discovered listed here on Meta Filter. Matcha Source sells premium grade matcha teas including thin, thick and ingredient grade. The Matcha Starter Kit, $44, includes a 20g tin (10-15 servings) of thin grade matcha tea, a bamboo whisk, a teascoop and a sifter. We also feature a Matcha Latte Kit with ingredient grade matcha and an electric frother. $5 flat rate shipping-free over $75. Save 10% with coupon code: "FIRSTCHA".

Our teas are 100% pure green tea from Japan. No sugar, additives or colorings. Call toll free to order by phone [phone]. I can answer any questions.
posted by Alissa at 9:09 AM on October 21, 2008

I'm the friend who spotted Alissa's company mentioned in this thread, and while my own tastes run more towards black teas, can vouch for her dedication to quality and service. She recommended a stunning naturally sweet iced tea for our wedding party. My husband, who likes the green stuff, says "She does a good job of curating interesting teas, and now she is focusing on matcha, which certainly is a worthy candidate for her attention."
posted by Scram at 9:28 AM on October 21, 2008