1. What makes Naoki Matcha different from other brands? We create blends with different tastes and preferences, each of our blends is developed to provide a unique flavor profile. For example, our Superior Blend has a very balanced, mellow flavor that's very beginner-friendly whereas our Fragrant Yame Blend has mild nutty notes and an incredibly smooth finish.

2. I only drink matcha with milk as a latte, which grade should I get? It depends how you make your lattes. However, we always recommend either the Superior Blend or First Spring Blend (Organic) to make great matcha lattes. By using an affordable ceremonial grade matcha, you do not need to add as much sweetener since it is much less bitter.

3. I’m worried about radiation and heavy metals. Do you test for radiation and heavy metals in your matcha? There is nothing to be worried about! We test each crop of matcha for various hazards, including radiation and heavy metal contamination. Satisfying these tests are required for our factories to maintain their food safety grading and licences needed to continue operations. The government of Japan also conducts its own separate radiation testing on all food products, and the results are consistently negative. The results are public information and is published in English on the website of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

4. How is the caffeine in matcha different from coffee? Matcha provides a more measured, lasting energy boost. Matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine. L-theanine is responsible for a calming effect which also slows the absorption of caffeine by the body, making the effects of coffee more gradual. Gram for gram, matcha has less caffeine than coffee.

5. How long can I keep my matcha for? If stored in an opaque, airtight container, matcha will remain fresh for about 12 months from the date it is ground. Once opened, we recommend consuming the matcha bag within 1-2 months. We also recommend storing your matcha in the fridge to maintain its freshness as long as possible.

6. What is the company’s policy for expiry dates? It depends but it is usually close to 6 months at least. We do our best to give you the freshest possible matcha by only doing small batch shipments direct from the tea estates. This is more costly for us but ensures that our stocks move quickly and provides the freshest matcha for you.

7. 40 grams or 1.4 ounces is TINY, how many servings? 40 grams easily provides 20 servings of 2 grams each. Pay attention to the serving size. We believe that 2 grams is just right to get enough matcha taste in your drink. Different brands define this differently. You may see a 30 gram matcha product offering "30 servings", but each serving is 1 gram.

8. Your packaging is beautiful! Where did you get it from? Thank you! We design it ourselves and it is inspired by the tea fields in Japan and the regional surroundings.