Ceremonial vs Culinary vs Café Grade — Which One Should Beginners Use?

Ceremonial vs Culinary vs Café Grade — Which One Should Beginners Use?

(A simple guide for first-time matcha drinkers)

If you're new to matcha, the different “grades” can feel confusing.

Ceremonial… Culinary… Café Grade… What do they actually mean?
And which one should a beginner choose?

This guide breaks everything down simply — so you can start your matcha journey with clarity and confidence.

 

 

1. What Does “Grade” Even Mean in Matcha?

Matcha grades are not official laws — they’re quality categories created by tea producers to help people understand how the powder is meant to be used.

Think of them like this:

Ceremonial Grade: Highest quality, best for drinking straight.   

Café Grade: Balanced quality, great for lattes. 

Culinary Grade: Best for baking, smoothies, cooking.

But not all ceremonial or culinary products are equal. Quality depends on:

  • harvest season

  • leaf age

  • shade-growing

  • grinding method

  • freshness

That’s why many beginners feel confused — the labels don’t always guarantee the experience.

 

 

2. Ceremonial Grade Matcha (Smoothest, sweetest)

Best for: sipping, whisking with water, smooth flavor
Taste: soft, mellow, creamy, less bitter
Color: vibrant green
Texture: fine and silky

Ceremonial matcha is made from the youngest, most tender leaves — the first harvest.
These leaves contain more natural sweetness and umami, making it perfect for drinking as tea.

For beginners, this is the easiest flavor to enjoy because it's naturally less bitter.

 

 

3. Café Grade Matcha (Perfect for lattes)

Best for: iced lattes, hot lattes, drinks with milk
Taste: slightly stronger, good matcha flavor without harsh edges
Color: bright green
Texture: smooth, mixes well with milk

Café grade is what most cafés use because the flavor stays noticeable even when mixed with milk.

For people who want to start with matcha lattes, this grade works beautifully.

 

 

4. Culinary Grade Matcha (Best for food & recipes)

Best for: baking, smoothies, desserts, cooking
Taste: stronger, slightly bitter, grassy
Color: duller green
Texture: less fine

Culinary grade isn’t meant for sipping.
It’s designed so the flavor doesn’t disappear in foods like cookies, pancakes, or smoothies.

Beginners often accidentally buy this grade for drinking — and then think matcha is “bitter.”

 

 

5. So Which Grade Should Beginners Use?

If you prefer matcha as tea (water-only):

➡️ Ceremonial Grade — smoothest, easiest to enjoy.

If you prefer matcha lattes:

➡️ Ceremonial OR Café Grade

(Ceremonial is smoother, Café gives a stronger matcha flavour.)

If you want to bake or mix into smoothies:

➡️ Culinary Grade

 

 

6. Why Jiyu Uses Organic Ceremonial Grade for Beginners

At Jiyu, our mission is simple:
Make matcha easy and enjoyable for beginners.

This is why we use:

  • first-harvest leaves only

  • organic, shade-grown tea plants

  • slow stone grinding

  • beginner-friendly smoothness

The result?

✔ no bitterness
✔ no harsh grassy taste
✔ easy to whisk
✔ perfect for lattes or tea

Many beginners quit matcha because their first taste was too strong or too bitter.

We created Jiyu to give beginners the opposite experience — calm, smooth, and enjoyable from the very first cup.

 

 

7. Final Answer: Which Grade Should YOU Start With?

If you're new to matcha:
➡️ Start with Organic Ceremonial Grade — it’s the smoothest and most beginner-friendly.

This will help you build the habit, enjoy the flavour, and stay consistent with your wellness routine.

After you’re comfortable, you can explore Café grade for deeper flavour or Culinary grade for recipes — but ceremonial is the best place to begin.

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