---
title: "What First-Harvest Matcha Means"
description: "Learn why first-harvest matcha, or ichibancha, offers sweeter, smoother flavor, less bitterness, and a higher price than later harvests."
image: "https://best-matcha.com/wp-content/uploads/maxresdefault-18.webp"
---
# What First-Harvest Matcha Means

> Learn why first-harvest matcha, or ichibancha, offers sweeter, smoother flavor, less bitterness, and a higher price than later harvests.

Source: https://best-matcha.com/videos/what-first-harvest-matcha-means/
Created: 2026-03-24T12:24:58+00:00
Modified: 2026-07-30T07:44:55+00:00
Author: Emilie Schol

## Transcript

Transcript

If you see first harvest on a matcha packaging, pay attention. In Japan, tea plants are harvested several times per year. The first harvest, called Ichibancha, happens in spring, late April, early May. These are the youngest leaves that are harvested, the most tender, full of potential. They've spent all winter storing nutrients for your taste buds. They are sweet, smoother, less bitter. And the matcha made from them, that's the good stuff. The stuff that you can drink straight. So, that's why it also cost more. First harvest is limited. Once it's gone, you'll have to wait until next spring. So, what happened after that? The leaves became older, tougher. They've been through life, right? Thus, they are more bitter, like us as a society these days. This is the second harvest, called Nibancha. It is actually great for lattes. It has a stronger flavor, so it can hold up against milk. No shame in that. And it's actually a little bit cheaper. We like that in this economy. And there was a third harvest, yes, called Sanbancha. This one needs help. It's better for baking or cooking. You know, drown in butter and sugar. That will help. So, when on the packaging you see first harvest or Ichibancha or even Shincha, which means new tea, that's not just marketing for once. That actually means something, unlike ceremonial grade, which mean whatever they want it to mean.

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## FAQ

### What does first-harvest matcha mean?

First-harvest matcha is made from the season’s first tea harvest, called ichibancha in Japan. This harvest occurs in spring and uses the youngest, most tender leaves. Those leaves spent the winter storing nutrients and are described as producing matcha that is sweeter, smoother, and less bitter.

### How does first-harvest matcha taste?

First-harvest matcha is described as sweet, smooth, and less bitter. Because of those qualities, it is presented as suitable for drinking straight. Its flavor comes from the youngest and most tender leaves gathered during ichibancha, after the tea plants have stored nutrients through the winter.

### Why does first-harvest matcha cost more?

First-harvest matcha costs more because the harvest is limited. Once that season’s first leaves are gone, another first harvest is not available until the following spring. The matcha also uses young, tender leaves associated with sweeter, smoother, and less bitter flavor suitable for drinking straight.

### Is second-harvest matcha suitable for lattes?

Yes. Second-harvest matcha, called nibancha, is described as a good choice for lattes. Its stronger flavor can hold up against milk, and it is also a little cheaper than first-harvest matcha. The leaves are older and tougher, producing a more bitter profile than the first harvest.

### What is third-harvest matcha best used for?

Third-harvest matcha is called sanbancha. It is presented as better suited to baking or cooking than to drinking straight. This distinguishes it from first-harvest matcha, which is associated with a sweeter, smoother taste, and second-harvest matcha, whose stronger flavor is described as useful in lattes.

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- What First-Harvest Matcha Means

[Videos](https://best-matcha.com/videos/)
# What First-Harvest Matcha Means
Learn why first-harvest matcha, or ichibancha, offers sweeter, smoother flavor, less bitterness, and a higher price than later harvests.

[Emilie Schol](https://best-matcha.com/community/emilie-schol/)

## Speaker: Emilie Schol
Emilie Schol founded Best Matcha after a biotechnology career, bringing a methodical, transparent and enthusiast-led approach to matcha discovery.

[View profile of Emilie Schol](https://best-matcha.com/community/emilie-schol/)

## About this video

Learn why first-harvest matcha, or ichibancha, offers sweeter, smoother flavor, less bitterness, and a higher price than later harvests.

Statistiques

1042 vues | 51 likes

Duration

1 minute, 24 seconds

Link

[Direct video link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_iiuH4kaBQ)

Published

March 24, 2026

Updated

July 30, 2026

Learn more
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