Who is OGJ Matcha?

OGJ Matcha is a Japanese matcha brand sourcing organic tea from Uji, Kyoto and Kagoshima. Its range spans Latte through Imperial Premium grades, with hand-picked leaves creating smooth, creamy matcha without bitterness.

Uji supplies Ceremonial, Premium, and Imperial Premium grades; Kagoshima supplies Latte Matcha. Plants undergo pre-harvest shading, then April–May harvest, steaming, drying, and traditional stone grinding.

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OGJ Matcha in details

OGJ Matcha brings authentic Japanese matcha directly from source to your cup, eliminating intermediaries to deliver premium quality at accessible prices. Sourcing organic ceremonial grade tea exclusively from the historic regions of Uji in Kyoto and Kagoshima, this brand connects matcha enthusiasts worldwide with centuries-old Japanese tea cultivation traditions.

Rooted in Japan’s Premier Tea Regions

The brand’s commitment begins in the tea fields. Uji, Kyoto has been synonymous with premium matcha since the 1300s, where unique terroir—rich volcanic soil, morning mists, and ideal temperatures—creates exceptional flavor profiles. Meanwhile, Kagoshima represents innovation in organic cultivation, producing sweeter matcha through diverse cultivar varieties like Okumidori and Yabukita that thrive in its subtropical climate.

OGJ Matcha carefully selects tea from farms that practice traditional shading methods, covering plants for up to one month before harvest. This process increases chlorophyll and L-theanine levels, resulting in that signature vibrant green color and umami-rich flavor without excessive bitterness.

Stone-Ground Excellence Meets Organic Standards

Every product carries Organic JAS Certification, ensuring cultivation without synthetic pesticides or chemicals. The brand offers multiple grades—from approachable Latte Matcha to premium Ceremonial varieties—each stone-ground to preserve delicate flavor compounds and nutritional benefits.

Their product line includes unique blends like Ceremonial2 Matcha, which combines Okumidori’s bold flavor with Yabukita’s clean finish, creating a balanced cup that leaves no lingering aftertaste. This thoughtful blending addresses a common complaint among those new to matcha.

Direct Sourcing, Global Reach

OGJ Matcha operates with transparency, maintaining direct relationships with tea producers and offering bulk supply options for businesses. Their mission centers on sharing the genuine taste of Japanese matcha—dispelling the myth that quality matcha must be bitter.

Whether you’re whisking your first bowl of thin tea or running a café that serves hundreds of matcha lattes daily, OGJ Matcha provides reliable access to authentic Japanese tea. The brand proves that premium matcha doesn’t require premium prices when you source directly from origin, making the health benefits and rich tradition of ceremonial grade matcha accessible to everyone.

About the OGJ Matcha Matcha

OGJ Matcha offers a range of organic matcha across grades and price points, sourced from renowned Japanese tea regions and built on the philosophy that high-quality matcha is not bitter.

Grades

  • Latte Matcha: organic matcha from Kagoshima for beverages and cooking.
  • Ceremonial 2 and Ceremonial 1: organic matcha from Uji (宇治), Kyoto, suited to chanoyu tea ceremony preparation.
  • Premium and Imperial Premium: the finest Uji-sourced organic matcha, the top of the lineup.

Character

The matcha is crafted from hand-picked leaves for a smooth, creamy finish with vibrant notes and zero bitterness. OGJ also provides OEM services for businesses building their own matcha products.

Harvest location

OGJ Matcha sources organic matcha from two of Japan's most prestigious tea regions, each contributing distinct terroir to the final product.

Uji, Kyoto Prefecture

Uji is the historical heartland of matcha, renowned for a rich, complex profile with pronounced umami and vibrant green colour. Its climate, soil, and long cultivation expertise give the tea exceptional depth. OGJ's Ceremonial, Premium, and Imperial Premium grades are sourced exclusively from this region.

Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagoshima, in southern Japan, supplies organic matcha for the Latte grade, suited to culinary use while meeting Japanese cultivation standards.

Production

Plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest to raise chlorophyll and L-theanine. Harvest falls in April and May, with the first flush (ichibancha) yielding the highest quality through hand-picking and careful machine harvesting, followed by steaming, drying, and traditional stone grinding.

OGJ Matcha History

OGJ Matcha began in 2020 after its founder witnessed low-grade, bitter matcha being sold during the global matcha boom on a business trip to New York. Seeing that this misrepresented Japan's centuries-old tea tradition, the founder set out to share authentic Japanese matcha built on the principle that high-quality matcha has no bitterness, sourcing from historic tea regions including Uji, Kyoto and Kagoshima.

January 1, 1160

The oldest tea house in Japan, Tsuen Tea, was established in Uji, Kyoto, creating the foundation for the region's tea culture that would later influence brands like OGJ Matcha. This historic establishment represents over 860 years of continuous tea tradition in the region where OGJ sources their premium matcha.

January 1, 1200

Zen monk Eisai brought tea seeds from China and planted them in Toganoo, Kyoto during the 13th century, establishing the foundation of Japanese tea cultivation. This pivotal moment created the tea culture from which OGJ Matcha draws its authentic sourcing, particularly from the historic Uji region that became renowned for producing matcha for the shoguns.

January 1, 2020

Following a transformative experience in New York witnessing poor quality matcha being sold during the global matcha boom, OGJ Matcha's founder committed to sharing authentic Japanese matcha with the world. This moment sparked the brand's core mission to demonstrate that high-quality matcha has no bitterness, leading to their careful sourcing from historic regions like Uji, Kyoto and Kagoshima.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

Where does OGJ Matcha source its organic matcha?

OGJ Matcha sources organic tea from Uji in Kyoto Prefecture and from Kagoshima Prefecture. Its Ceremonial, Premium, and Imperial Premium grades come from Uji, while Kagoshima supplies its Latte Matcha. The brand maintains direct relationships with tea producers and also offers bulk supply options for businesses.

Which OGJ Matcha grade is intended for lattes?

OGJ’s Latte Matcha is the grade designated for beverages and cooking, and it is sourced from Kagoshima. Ceremonial 1 and Ceremonial 2 come from Uji and are suited to chanoyu preparation. Premium and Imperial Premium are the finest Uji-sourced options at the top of the brand’s range.

How is OGJ Matcha grown and processed?

Tea plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest to raise chlorophyll and L-theanine. Harvest takes place in April and May, with first-flush leaves gathered through hand-picking and careful machine harvesting. After harvest, the leaves undergo steaming, drying, and traditional stone grinding to produce matcha powder.

What is OGJ Ceremonial2 Matcha made from?

OGJ’s Ceremonial2 Matcha is a blend of the Okumidori and Yabukita cultivars. The record describes Okumidori as contributing bold flavor and Yabukita as providing a clean finish. Together, they create a balanced cup that is described as leaving no lingering aftertaste.

Why was OGJ Matcha started?

OGJ Matcha began in 2020 after its founder encountered low-grade, bitter matcha during a business trip to New York. Believing that this misrepresented Japan’s tea tradition, the founder set out to share authentic Japanese matcha based on the principle that high-quality matcha has no bitterness.