A couple of years ago, I read an article in Serious Eats by Max Falkowitz on mail-ordering teas. He makes three suggestions for buying quality tea online. First, beware the chains that buy leaves in vast quantities through middlemen brokers and adulterate the flavor with herbs and spices. Second, seek out specialists for particular varieties of teas. The tea merchant who has spent time traveling in the region where the tea is grown, and has established personal relationships with the farmers has invested in the product they sell. Finally, quality is expensive. When grown on good land and processed with skill and care, these teas will cost more than what you’ll pay at the supermarket.
Breakaway Matcha is one of the companies Falkowitz recommends and I’ve been a customer ever since. Founder Eric Gower developed his passion for matcha during his 16 years living and working in Japan. Unable to find the quality of tea he craved in the United States, he started sourcing the tea from Japan, and in 2010 founded Breakaway Matcha. He sells 18 matcha blends, purchased directly from Japanese growers who are obsessed with the highest quality tea. He sells hyper-premium traditional tea, cold brew and green tea for culinary use. The site opens with a quiz to help you select the grade that’s right for you. He also sells gorgeous matcha ceramics made by local California artisans, vessels that celebrate the beauty of everyday objects.
VISIT BREAKAWAY MATCHA