The Power of L-Theanine – The Star of Matcha Quality
At the heart of true ceremonial matcha lies one remarkable compound: L-Theanine.
· L-Theanine is the defining marker of premium matcha. This rare amino acid is what gives matcha its naturally sweet, smooth, and umami-rich flavor – and its calm, focused energy unlike any other tea.
· The higher the L-Theanine content, the higher the matcha’s quality and price. This is because L-Theanine develops only under very specific conditions: shade-grown, first-flush leaves from nutrient-rich soil, and traditional stone-milling.
· L-Theanine content in matcha is a direct reflection of the quality of cultivation, shading, and the leaf selection. Our matcha is crafted from the youngest top leaves grown under extended shade in the pristine volcanic soils of Kirishima, Japan – conditions that maximize L-Theanine production and deliver unmatched depth, sweetness, and mental clarity.
· Got Matcha’s exclusive grades contain among the highest levels of L-Theanine ever recorded: This is why Got Matcha stands at the pinnacle of the industry; representing the very essence of premium ceremonial matcha.
o Superior & Black Label Ceremonial grades: 110-120mg of L-Theanine per serving, depending on harvest
o Ceremonial Grade: ranges from 35-45mg of L-Theanine per serving, depending on harvest.
o Everyday Ceremonial Grade: ranges from 20-27 mg of L-Theanine per serving, depending on harvest.
o All sourced from our farm in Kirishima, Japan, where shading, soil minerals, and leaf selection are perfected over generations.
· Culinary matcha has literally NO L-Theanine. It’s made from 2nd harvest leaves which are older, sun-grown, lower leaves that produce bitterness instead of sweetness – resulting in a harsh taste, little nutrition, and no calming benefits.
· Most café and commercial brands use low-grade or mislabeled “ceremonial” matcha. These often test around 10mg of less of L-Theanine and are grown in poor, over-harvested and contaminated soil from mixed varietals – producing a flat, dull green powder with no true umami or creaminess.
· Understanding Matcha Theanine = Understanding Matcha Quality. When a café or retail space serves high-Theanine matcha, you’re offering an authentic Japanese experience – one that nurtures both body and mind. The experience of high quality matcha/high levels of Theanine is like no other matcha experience; The Theanine passes through the blood-brain barrier and stimulates and helps heal the brain all at the same time. It is truly uplifting. Without Theanine, the alkaline matcha directly stimulates the heart and can cause a jittery effect. If matcha contains a high amount of Theanine, the alkaline caffeine and nutrients are gradually released throughout the body over a course of 3-4 hours – stimulating the brain and calming the heart!