Ceremonial vs Premium: Which Matcha Should You Actually Be Drinking?

Not all matcha is created equal, and if you’ve ever sipped a beige, bitter latte that tastes like regret, you already know that.

If you want to know the real difference between ceremonial, premium and culinary matcha—we've got you, Drinker. Let's unpack ceremonial vs. culinary matcha (and the truth about "premium") is key to finding the best matcha in NZ.

Matcha Grades 101: What Do Ceremonial, Premium, and Culinary Really Mean?

Matcha isn’t one-size-fits-all. Once you know the grades (and what you’re paying for), you’ll never compromise again.

In Japan, matcha is graded by harvest timing and leaf quality—not by labels like “ceremonial” or “premium.” Those are Western terms and while not traditional, they’re incredibly useful in making quality easier to understand and access. That’s exactly why we use them at Nomu: to help you know what you’re drinking, and why it matters.

Here’s how the grading works:

• Ichiban-cha (一番茶) = First harvest

• Niban-cha (二番茶) = Second harvest 

• Sanban-cha (三番茶) = third harvest and beyond

Sanban-cha is what you’ll find in culinary grade matcha—fine for baking, smoothies, or sweets but not what Nomu Drinkers stand for.

• Ceremonial = typically 100% Ichiban-cha

• Premium = a mix of Ichiban-cha + Niban-cha

• Culinary = later harvests with more bitterness, less colour and less soul. What we dub as sh!t matcha

What Is Ceremonial Matcha?

Ceremonial matcha = 100% Ichiban-cha.

This is the first harvest, the first picking and I guess what you could call first-class. The finest leaves are picked in early spring, then shade-grown for weeks to boost chlorophyll and L-Theanine giving you that deep green colour, soft umami flavour and a clean energy hit with no jitters.

Nomu’s Ceremonial Blend is as pure as it gets. Made from first harvest, shade-grown leaves from Uji, Japan. You can sip it like a tea—straight with just water or as a latte, whatever you prefer. Once you try it, you’ll get what we mean. 

What Is Premium Matcha?

Premium matcha = a blend of Ichiban-cha + Niban-cha.
In Nomu's case? Still high quality, just a little more light-bodied.

Niban-cha (second harvest) is harvested later in the season and has a lighter body. When blended with first harvest leaves, you get a smooth, balanced matcha that still delivers on colour and flavour, just not as intense.

Nomu’s Premium Grade is organic, shade-grown and sourced from Kyōto. And it’s still got the good sh!t:

• 30mg L-Theanine
  
  
• 170mg Catechins
  
  
• Packed with antioxidants
  
  
• No bull sh!t

But all at a lower price point. It’s perfect for your daily latte, matcha newbies or anyone who likes their matcha smooth but less bold.

When Should You Use Ceremonial vs Premium?

Why Nomu’s Grade Actually Matters

Here’s the thing Drinkers, a lot of brands throw around the word “ceremonial” without actually using first harvest leaves. It’s a flex that doesn’t hold up.

At Nomu, we don’t compromise and we stand by no sh!t matcha.

• Ceremonial Blend = 100% Ichiban-cha, stone-ground in Uji, Japan. Pure. Bold. No bitterness.

• Premium Blend = Ichiban + Niban-cha. Still organic, still smooth, just a little lighter in body and flavour.

We source directly from Kyōto in Japan. No filler, no middlemen, nothing pretending to be matcha. Just the real deal. We keep it clean, in your cup and in how we talk about it. Never drink a sh! matcha again.

Try Nomu's Ceremonial and Premium Matcha or build your ritual with our Sip Happens Box. No sh!t matcha. Just greatness. 

Read more about Nomu Matcha and our ambition to never drink a sh!t matcha again.