What does Love Matcha say about its sourcing
The company names a source for each matcha in its own range. It describes Akari as first-harvest Okumidori from an eighth-generation family tea farm in Wazuka, Kyoto; Hikaru as first-harvest, JAS-certified organic matcha from a farm in Shizuoka; and Ayame and Kaoru as single-cultivar first-harvest matcha from a third-generation family tea company in Yame. Its Hayami hōjicha is described as a first-harvest roast from Uji. These are the company's own sourcing statements; the grade guides below cover how to judge what you buy.
What does Love Matcha sell
Two kinds of product side by side: its own label, and matcha imported from named Japanese tea houses, with availability varying by item.
- Love, Matcha range: Akari, Hikaru, Ayame and Kaoru matcha in 40 g bags and cans, with 100 g bags of Akari and Hikaru
- Hōjicha: the Hayami roasted tea powder in a 50 g bag
- Japanese tea house matcha: brands including Ippodo, Nakamura Tokichi, Yamamasa Koyamaen, Marukyu Koyamaen, Aoi Seicha and Shuhari
- Teaware: bamboo and resin whisks, whisk holders, chawan bowls including NZ-made pieces, and gift sets
Where can you buy Love Matcha
Direct from the company's own web store, which ships within New Zealand. Stock of the imported brands changes often, so its site is the place to check what is currently available.
- lovematcha.co.nz (opens in a new window): the brand's official store, own-range origin details and the Japanese brands it carries.
How should you evaluate it for yourself
The same checks apply to every matcha brand, this one included: match the grade to the use (ceremonial for drinking plain, culinary for lattes and baking), look for a stated origin and a harvest or best-before date, prefer airtight opaque packaging, and read the ingredient list: pure matcha has one ingredient, while latte blends add sugar or milk powder and are a different product.
- Ceremonial grade matcha: what the drinking grade should deliver, and how to judge it.
- Culinary grade matcha: the right expectations for lattes and baking powder.
- Where to buy matcha in NZ: every NZ buying option (supermarkets, pharmacies and specialists) side by side.
Products and prices
Our weekly NZ price dataset does not currently track this brand's prices, so check its own site for the current range.
Common questions
Is Love Matcha a New Zealand company?
Yes, it is an NZ online shop that prices in NZD and ships within New Zealand. The matcha it sells, its own range included, is grown and milled in Japan.
Does Love Matcha sell other brands?
Yes, alongside its own Love, Matcha range it stocks matcha from Japanese tea houses such as Ippodo, Nakamura Tokichi and Yamamasa Koyamaen, as stock allows.
Does Love Matcha sell organic matcha?
Its Hikaru matcha is described by the company as JAS-certified organic, from Shizuoka. The product pages state organic status item by item.