Start by tasting, not by committing
Choosing your first matcha is mostly a question of taste and routine. You may not know yet whether you prefer the deep umami of a ceremonial-grade matcha or a flavored blend that fits an afternoon break. Buying a full tin before you know is the most common beginner mistake.
The Matcha Sampler is built for exactly that uncertainty. It includes four 10-gram varieties, and each sample makes about 4–5 cups of tea. That is enough to learn how you like your matcha before you spend on a larger package.
This guide walks through what the sampler contains, how to read matcha grades, and how to decide what to buy next based on what you taste.
What the Matcha Sampler includes
- Matcha Sampler: The set includes 10 g each of Japanese Ceremonial Matcha, Mint Matcha, Lemongrass Matcha, and Mango Matcha. You get one unflavored ceremonial matcha and three flavored blends, which covers both the traditional and the everyday-drink sides of matcha.
Matcha Sampler - Matcha Sampler: Each sample makes about 4–5 cups of tea. That is enough cups to try each variety hot and iced, or to share with someone else, without committing to a full-size tin.
Matcha grades explained for first-time buyers
Matcha is generally sorted by grade, and the two names you will see most often are ceremonial and culinary. The supplied information for this sampler names Japanese Ceremonial Matcha as one of the four varieties, but it does not give a grade for the Mint, Lemongrass, or Mango blends. Treat those as flavored matcha rather than assuming a grade.
Ceremonial matcha is the grade intended for drinking straight, whisked with hot water. Culinary matcha is typically used in cooking and baking, where stronger flavors mask subtle differences. If you want to drink matcha as tea, start with the ceremonial variety in this sampler and use it as your reference point.
Flavored matcha sits in a different category. Mint, lemongrass, and mango are additions to the matcha base, so judge them on whether you enjoy the flavor combination, not on grade alone.
How to prepare each variety for a fair comparison
The supplied preparation instructions apply to the matcha in this set. Sift 1–2 tsp of matcha into a cup using a small sifter, swirling the powder around the strainer with your ladle. Sifting matters because it prevents clumps and gives you a smoother cup.
For hot matcha, the instructions specify 475 ml (16 oz) of 75°C/170°F water. For iced matcha, use 295 ml (10 oz). For best results, use water just under a boil. Whisk in a gentle circular motion for thin, smooth tea, or in a brisk M- or W-shaped motion for foamy tea, for about 10–15 seconds until the tea is bright green.
The instructions also list 2–3 matcha spoonfuls and whisking until frothy, and note that you can sip it hot or top with ice for iced matcha. Use the same method for each variety so the only variable is flavor.
The four varieties and what each one tells you
- Japanese Ceremonial Matcha: The unflavored reference. Use it to decide whether you like the natural taste of matcha before you try the flavored blends.
- Mint Matcha: A refreshing blend with a cooling note. A good test of whether you want matcha as an afternoon drink rather than a morning ritual.
- Lemongrass Matcha: A soothing blend with citrus-like lemongrass. Try it if you usually reach for herbal or lighter teas.
- Mango Matcha: A fruit-forward matcha with mango flavor. A useful check on whether you prefer sweet, fruity matcha over savory umami.
What the sampler cannot tell you
The supplied information does not include origin, harvest date, or a grade for the flavored varieties. It also does not state whether the flavored blends contain added sugar or other ingredients beyond the named flavors. If those details matter to you, check the packaging or ask the seller before buying a larger amount.
The sampler is also not a cost-saving bulk purchase. At 10 g per variety, it is a tasting set, not a supply for daily drinking. Expect to buy a full-size matcha once you know your favorite.
A simple plan for your first matcha purchase
- 1. Taste the ceremonial matcha first: Prepare it plain with the supplied water temperature and whisking method. This gives you a baseline for what matcha tastes like without flavoring.
- 2. Try each flavored blend hot, then iced: The instructions support both. Iced matcha uses 295 ml (10 oz) of water, so you can compare the same variety two ways.
- 3. Note which one you finish first: Your favorite is the one you reach for without thinking. That is the variety to buy in a full size.
- 4. Decide whether you want ceremonial or flavored for daily use: If you liked the plain ceremonial matcha best, look for a ceremonial-grade matcha. If you preferred a flavored blend, buy that flavor in a larger package.
Price and format at a glance
- Matcha Sampler: The Matcha Sampler is listed at USD 455.00, with a catalog comparison price of USD 650.00. Compare that against the cost of four separate full-size tins before deciding whether the sampler is the better first purchase for you.
- Matcha Sampler: The set includes four varieties of matcha, 10 g each. Four small samples let you test a range of flavors without committing to a large amount of any single one.
