As matcha has taken off in the UK, the number of wholesale suppliers has exploded. Some are excellent. Some are reselling whatever they can get hold of. And with global demand outpacing supply, some UK cafés have reported their matcha costs rising by 30–40% — so choosing a reliable supplier matters more than ever.
Here are eight questions worth asking before you commit.
1. Where exactly is it grown?
"Japanese matcha" is a start, but it's vague. A good supplier can tell you the region, and ideally the farm. If they can't tell you where it comes from, they probably don't know.
2. Which harvest is it from?
First-harvest (spring) matcha is sweeter and more vibrant; later harvests are more bitter. Since "ceremonial" isn't an official grade, the harvest tells you far more than the label. More on that in our guide to ceremonial vs culinary matcha.
3. What's actually in it?
It should be 100% ground green tea leaf. Some "matcha" products, especially latte mixes, contain sugar, milk powder or fillers. Check the ingredients list.
4. Will it taste the same next month?
Consistency is everything for a café. Your customers expect the same drink every time. Ask whether the matcha is a blend from many sources or comes from a single origin, and how they keep it consistent between orders.
5. How is it packed, and how fresh is it?
Matcha degrades with air, light and heat. Look for sealed, light-proof packaging and a clear best-before date. Ask how long stock typically sits before it reaches you.
6. Can I try it first?
Any supplier confident in their product should let you taste it before you commit. Test it the way you'll serve it: in your latte, with your milk, at your dose.
7. What are the minimum orders, delivery times and reordering process?
Matcha is best ordered little and often, so you want a supplier whose minimum order fits your usage and who can deliver reliably. Our guide on how much matcha a café uses per month will help you work out what size of order makes sense.
8. What support do you get?
The best suppliers do more than ship powder. Ask whether they can help with recipes, dosing, staff training or building out your matcha menu.
Red flags
- No information about origin or harvest
- "Ceremonial" on the label but a dull, olive-green colour in the bag
- A price far below everyone else's — good matcha simply can't be produced that cheaply
- Vague answers about ingredients or freshness
- No way to taste it before ordering
How Kyo's Matcha answers these
Our matcha is single-origin and first-harvest, grown on one farm in Wazuka, Kyoto, and it's 100% ground green tea leaves with nothing added. Because it comes from a single farm rather than a blend, you know exactly where every pouch comes from. And yes, you can try it first.
If you'd like to talk about supplying your café, request a sample through our wholesale page.