Are you a Matcha seller? Join as a Vendor
Art of Tea represents two decades of dedication to sourcing the world’s finest ceremonial grade matcha. Founded in 2004 by Steve Schwartz, the brand emerged from a deeply personal journey that began with his mother’s cancer diagnosis and extensive study at the Ayurvedic Institute. What started as one man’s quest to understand tea’s healing properties has evolved into a trusted name for matcha enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on quality.
Steve travels regularly to Japan, building relationships with elite matcha producers who have perfected their craft over generations. These aren’t transactional partnerships—they’re decade-long collaborations rooted in mutual respect and shared values. During the global matcha shortage of 2024-2025, when many brands scrambled for supply or lowered standards, Art of Tea maintained its commitment to authentic ceremonial grade matcha by honoring existing relationships rather than chasing quick solutions.
The brand sources from farmers in Shizuoka and works with families in Kyoto who have been cultivating tea for over 90 years. These growers use traditional shade-growing methods, allowing tea plants to develop the vibrant chlorophyll and umami-rich flavor profile that defines true ceremonial matcha.
Not all matcha is created equal. Art of Tea distinguishes itself by sourcing only tencha—shade-grown leaves that are steamed, dried, and stone-ground using methods passed down through generations. The brand refuses to cut corners with mocha (unshaded tea) or machine pulverization, processes some companies use to meet surging demand.
This attention to detail matters. The difference shows in the color, taste, and nutritional profile of the final product.
Steve’s approach centers on education rather than marketing hype. He openly discusses supply chain challenges, explains the aging farmer population in Japan (average age: 70), and shares insights about what consumers should look for when evaluating matcha quality. This transparency builds trust within the matcha community.
Art of Tea’s ceremonial matcha offers more than a product—it represents a bridge between ancient Japanese tea traditions and modern wellness seekers. For those exploring matcha options on Best Matcha, this brand delivers consistent quality backed by verifiable sourcing practices and a founder who personally vets every batch.
Art of Tea offers ceremonial grade matcha that combines three distinct green tea varietals to create what they describe as a light, refreshing, and smooth experience. Their organic ceremonial grade matcha is meticulously hand-blended and ground at its origin in Japan to preserve its delicate freshness.
The company’s matcha represents a commitment to traditional Japanese processing methods. Their ceremonial grade matcha comes exclusively from the first harvest of properly shaded Camellia sinensis plants, ensuring the highest quality standards. The leaves undergo careful hand-harvesting during the first flush, which refers to the first spring harvest when leaves are at their peak quality.
Art of Tea’s processing follows centuries-old wisdom, involving steaming, drying, de-stemming, and stone-grinding to transform the carefully selected leaves into vibrant green powder. The matcha is cultivated in shaded fields in Japan, where plants are shaded for approximately 20 days before harvest to encourage chlorophyll development, resulting in the signature bright green color and enhanced theanine (amino acid) content known for its calming effects.
The transformation process involves converting the harvested leaves into Tencha through careful separation of leaves from stems, followed by stone-grinding in controlled environments where moisture, light, and temperature are meticulously monitored. This attention to detail ensures the preservation of the matcha’s freshness and flavor profile.
Art of Tea emerged in 2004 not from corporate boardrooms, but from founder Steve Schwartz’s personal journey into the world of tea at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico. His deep interest in Eastern medicine naturally evolved into a passion for the ancient alchemy of blending herbs and botanicals, setting the foundation for what would become a leading tea company.
The company’s philosophy centers on direct relationships with growers rather than simple importation. Schwartz embarked on global journeys as a relationship builder, establishing connections that form the cornerstone of Art of Tea’s sourcing approach. This commitment to direct sourcing ensures transparency and control over quality, transforming tea from mere commodity into mindfully cultivated products.
Before officially founding the company, Schwartz’s expertise caught the attention of renowned chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, validating his approach to tea blending and quality. This recognition helped establish Art of Tea’s reputation in the premium tea market.
The company’s matcha production reflects centuries of Japanese tea-making wisdom. Their ceremonial grade matcha combines three distinct green tea varietals, cultivated in the shaded fields of Japan where leaves are carefully hand-harvested. The traditional process involves steaming, drying, de-stemming, and stone-grinding, with the final product ground and packed at its origin to preserve delicate freshness.
The meticulous process begins with shading Camellia sinensis plants for approximately 20 days before harvest, encouraging chlorophyll production that creates matcha’s signature vibrant green hue. Only leaves from the first flush – the first spring harvest – qualify for ceremonial grade, ensuring the highest quality standards.
Steve Schwartz officially founded Art of Tea in 2004 after his journey began at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, where his interest in Eastern medicine led to a passion for blending herbs and botanicals. The company was established after catching the attention of renowned chefs including Wolfgang Puck.
From its founding, Art of Tea established its core philosophy of building direct relationships with tea growers globally rather than simply importing commodities. Steve Schwartz embarked on global journeys as a relationship builder, creating the foundation for transparent and controlled sourcing that ensures quality and mindful cultivation practices.
Find below images and videos uploaded by Art of Tea as of January 2026.
Find below some answers to the most common questions about Art of Tea.
There are no results matching your search
Click below to see the profile of a matcha brands similar to Art of Tea.
Join our mailing list to receive updates and exclusive tips.
