There is no universal “1A, 2A, 3A” or letter-and-number code that means the same thing on every matcha package. A code may be a producer’s internal grade, a cultivar or blend name, a harvest reference, a lot number, a best-before code or a certification mark.
Common label categories
- Lot or batch: helps the producer trace a shipment or production run.
- Harvest or season: may identify first harvest, year or a blending period.
- Cultivar: a tea-variety name such as okumidori or yabukita.
- Internal grade: a supplier’s own shorthand for intended use or quality tier.
- Certification or standard: a mark with rules that should be verifiable through the issuing body.
How to interpret a code
Read the legend or product page first. If a seller calls a powder “AAA,” “ceremonial,” “C” or “number one,” ask what the code measures and whether it applies to that lot. Do not compare two brands by their letters alone; one company’s “A” can be another company’s everyday blend.
What to request from a supplier
For a business purchase, request the ingredient specification, origin, cultivar or blend description, harvest/lot information and any applicable certificate of analysis. Then sample the powder in the drink or food you plan to make. The code is a starting point, not a substitute for documentation and sensory testing.