Kiss Me Organics

Kiss Me Organics emerged during a pivotal moment in the matcha industry, founded in 2013 by Anthony Codispoti in the aftermath of Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The nuclear disaster that followed raised legitimate safety concerns about Japanese agricultural products, prompting the company to initially source their matcha from China as a precautionary measure to protect customer health and safety.

The brand’s commitment to quality became evident in October 2014 when they made the strategic decision to relocate their entire matcha production to Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. This wasn’t merely a business move but a statement of confidence in Japanese agricultural safety and quality. Shizuoka holds special significance as a region recognized by the United Nations as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, underscoring the area’s exceptional tea-growing heritage.

Today, Kiss Me Organics operates from dual headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and Cheyenne, Wyoming, maintaining their independence in an increasingly consolidated market. Their matcha journey centers on USDA-certified organic ceremonial grade matcha, specifically crafted from the Sae Midori cultivar – a premium tea variety that represents the pinnacle of matcha quality.

The company partners with a family-owned Japanese tea farm that has maintained traditional tea cultivation practices for over three generations since 1915. This partnership ensures access to time-tested growing methods, including the crucial shade-growing technique that increases chlorophyll content and creates matcha’s distinctive vibrant green color and slightly sweet flavor profile.

Their production process honors traditional Japanese methods, with tea leaves undergoing careful steaming, drying, and grinding using traditional stone mills. The emphasis on 100% first harvest tea leaves demonstrates their commitment to using only the most tender, nutrient-rich leaves from each growing season. Rigorous testing ensures their matcha remains well below heavy metal safety standards, addressing modern consumer concerns while preserving ancient craftsmanship.