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Apr 29, 2026 3:34pm PT

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Much Ado About Matcha: ‘Ceremonial Grade’ Matcha Takes Center Stage on Reality TV — and Online

By Tim Chan

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Tim Chan

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JASMINE WAHEED

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The topic of “ceremonial matcha” became an unlikely plot point and instantly meme-able moment on the latest season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” as cast newbies Rachel Zoe and Amanda Frances clashed over the latter’s super specific drink order.

“Is your matcha good?” Frances asked a coffee shop worker during a season 15 catch-up date with Zoe. “Is it ceremonial grade?”

Zoe responded with a roll of her eyes in a confessional, sighing, “Is it ceremonial matcha? Like, why? Does that mean [the matcha] is like, blessed?”

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Zoe may have thought that Frances was being difficult but the reality is that not all matcha is created equal. No one knows that better than DAVIDsTEA, the Canadian specialty tea retailer that’s now expanding its DTC efforts to the U.S.

Since DAVIDsTEA opened its first store in 2008 in Toronto, they’ve been big on promoting the benefits and varieties of matcha, calling the Japanese powdered green tea one of the company’s “key pillars” (alongside loose leaf tea).

DAVIDsTEA has an entire “Matcha Shop” on its website, where customers can purchase matcha drink mixes, matcha-making accessories and yes, traditional ceremonial grade matcha too. The latter refers to matcha that’s derived from the youngest shade-grown tea leaves, which are then harvested in early spring and sent straight for processing. A meticulous method grinds the tender leaves between large stones, until they become powder. The result is a drink that’s rich in nutrients, with a vibrant green color, velvety texture and sweeter flavor.

SHOP DAVIDsTEA MATCHA SHOP

Only select leaves can be harvested for ceremonial grade matcha, which is said to be of such high quality that it’s best consumed just mixed with warm water, between 75-85°C |170-185°F (not boiling), rather than with milk or sweeteners.

DAVIDsTEA says it sources its authentic ceremonial grade matcha straight from small, family-owned gardens in the Nishio region and on Kyushu Island in Japan. “Our partnerships with these gardens have been the same since the very beginning,” the brand says, “working closely with them to refine our assortment and the processes in which our matcha is grown, harvested and blended.”

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - JULY 15: Sam Butarbutar takes a scoop of matcha from a container as he makes a matcha drink at Third Culture on July 15, 2025 in Berkeley, California. A recent surge in matcha's popularity has led to a global matcha shortage, driven by soaring demand and limited production in Japan, where high-quality matcha is grown. The labor-intensive harvesting and processing methods of matcha, along with a decline in the number of Japanese tea farmers, have further exacerbated the shortage. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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ORDER ONLINE

DAVIDsTEA Grand Cru Matcha

(50g Bag

Buy Now AT DAVIDsTEA $64.90

This “Grand Cru Matcha” from DAVIDsTEA is ceremonial grade and the brand calls it “one of the highest-grade matchas on earth.” The reason: “every vein is lovingly removed from green tea leaves,” reads a product description, with the leaves then ground into a superfine matcha powder. DAVIDsTEA sells a pack (above) that will make up to 48 cups (8 oz.) of iced or hot matcha. Along with great reviews online, this matcha powder recently placed third at the 2026 Toronto Tea Festival.

DAVIDsTEA has more than 30 matcha powders available to order online, with fast and convenient home delivery. DAVIDsTEA’s selection includes more than 20 organic matcha powders, as well as the ceremonial grade matcha too. Aside from the organic ceremonial grade matcha above, DAVIDsTEA also sells flavored matcha, made from organic matcha tea powder sourced directly from Japan.

Matcha Love 8 Tea Sampler

Only Available in CaD

Matcha Love 8 Tea Sampler

$40.48 $50.60 20% off

Buy Now AT DAVIDsTEA

This sampler pack above gets you eight tins of flavored matcha powder, with fruit-flavors like watermelon, blueberry, strawberry and peach matcha, along with seasonal favorites like gingerbread matcha, toasted marshmallow matcha, candy cane matcha and a lemonade matcha (which tastes great as an iced beverage). The flavors are all naturally derived from fruits and nuts. Each tin has enough powder to make 1-2 drinks, depending on how light or strong you prefer your taste to be.

Of course, aside from its flavor, matcha is known for its many benefits, like providing a caffeine boost with no spike or crash. Instead, matcha offers a smooth, sustained lift throughout the day.

Matcha Tools Starter Kit

MATCHA MAKING

Matcha Tools Starter Kit

Great gift idea

Buy Now AT DAVIDsTEA $64.90

You can learn to make matcha at home with this starter kit above. The kit includes a glass matcha bowl, matcha spoon and bamboo whisk. DAVIDsTEA calls this the “perfect matcha spoon” as it holds exactly the right amount of matcha for a single cup. 

“From pure, small-batch stone-milled matcha to irresistibly fun, naturally flavored drink mixes, we are a one-stop matcha shop,” DAVIDsTEA says.

Shop the full line of matcha powders, kits and offerings at the DAVIDsTEA Matcha Shop online.

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