Ippodo Matcha Review: Japan's Most Respected Brand

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Ippodo is the real deal, a Kyoto institution founded in 1717 that has quietly supplied Japan's finest matcha for over three centuries. After testing their ceremonial range, our top pick for most UK buyers is the Ummon-no-mukashi, which delivers the best balance of quality and value in the lineup.

Quick Picks

Grade	Product	Price (approx.)	Best For	Rating
🥇 Best Overall	Ummon-no-mukashi	~£40/20g	Everyday ceremonial drinking	9/10
🥈 Best Entry	Ikuyo-no-mukashi	~£24/20g	Newcomers to premium matcha	8/10
🏆 Best Premium	Kanro-no-mukashi	~£65/20g	Connoisseurs & gifting	9.5/10

Ippodo: A Brief History

Ippodo Tea (一保堂茶舗) has operated from the same street in central Kyoto since 1717. That's not a marketing gimmick, the shop on Teramachi-dori genuinely predates the American Revolution. For over 300 years, they've sourced tencha leaves from Uji and surrounding regions, stone-milling them into matcha that has served imperial courts, tea ceremony masters, and, more recently, discerning buyers worldwide.

What sets Ippodo apart from newer direct-to-consumer brands is their blending expertise. Each named grade is a proprietary blend of cultivars and harvests, calibrated for a specific flavour profile. The recipes are adjusted yearly to maintain consistency, much like a Champagne house tweaks its cuvée. That centuries of accumulated knowledge shows in the cup.

Detailed Reviews

Ikuyo-no-mukashi (Entry Ceremonial): ~£24/20g

Ikuyo is where most people start with Ippodo, and it's a genuinely impressive introduction. The powder is a vibrant, deep green, noticeably brighter than most matcha in this price range. Whisked into usucha (thin tea), it produces a smooth, slightly grassy flavour with mild sweetness and a clean finish. There's a touch of pleasant astringency, but nothing harsh.

Where Ikuyo falls short compared to pricier grades is in umami depth. The flavour is clean but somewhat one-dimensional. It lacks the layered, almost savoury richness you'll find higher up the range. For traditional preparation, it's excellent at its price point. For lattes, it's frankly overkill, you'd lose most of the nuance under milk.

Pros:

• Excellent colour and freshness
• Smooth, approachable flavour profile
• Most affordable entry to the Ippodo range
• Perfect for learning traditional whisking

Cons:

• Limited umami complexity
• 20g tin runs out fast
• Too expensive for latte use

Ummon-no-mukashi (Mid Ceremonial): ~£40/20g

Ummon is the sweet spot of the Ippodo range, and our overall favourite. The jump from Ikuyo is immediately apparent: the aroma is richer, with notes of dried grass and a subtle nuttiness. In the bowl, it has a noticeably thicker, creamier mouthfeel even as usucha, and the umami presence is pronounced without being overwhelming.

The finish lingers, a gentle, natural sweetness that sits on the palate for a good 30 seconds after each sip. There's virtually zero bitterness when prepared at the right temperature (around 80°C). This is matcha that rewards attention. Sip it slowly. It genuinely evolves as it cools slightly in the bowl. If you're buying one Ippodo tin to understand what premium Japanese matcha tastes like, this is the one.

Pros:

• Outstanding umami depth and natural sweetness
• Thick, creamy mouthfeel
• Zero bitterness at correct temperature
• Best quality-to-price ratio in the range

Cons:

• £40 for 20g is still steep for daily drinking
• Requires proper preparation to shine
• Not widely available in UK retail

Kanro-no-mukashi (Premium Ceremonial): ~£65/20g

Kanro sits at the top of Ippodo's regularly available ceremonial grades, and it is extraordinary. The tin opens to a powder so vividly green it almost looks artificial, it isn't. The aroma is intensely vegetal and sweet, like freshly cut young bamboo. Prepared as koicha (thick tea), which is how it's intended, the texture is almost like melted dark chocolate, dense, glossy, and impossibly smooth.

The flavour is pure, concentrated umami with waves of natural sweetness. There's a complexity that is rare in matcha at any price: floral top notes, a savoury mid-palate, and a finish that genuinely lasts minutes. Is it worth more than double the price of Ummon? For daily drinking, no. For special occasions, gifts, or if you simply want to taste what the pinnacle of matcha craftsmanship looks like, absolutely yes.

Pros:

• Exceptionally complex, layered flavour
• Stunning as koicha (thick tea)
• Beautiful packaging, ideal for gifting
• Represents the peak of stone-ground matcha

Cons:

• £65 for 20g is hard to justify regularly
• Best appreciated with koicha preparation experience
• Wasted in anything other than traditional preparation

Comparison Table

Feature	Ikuyo	Ummon	Kanro
Price (approx.)	~£24/20g	~£40/20g	~£65/20g
Colour	Deep green	Vivid green	Intensely vivid green
Umami	Mild	Pronounced	Extraordinary
Bitterness	Slight	None	None
Sweetness	Moderate	High	Very high
Best Preparation	Usucha	Usucha	Koicha
Latte Suitability	Passable	Not recommended	Absolutely not
Overall Rating	8/10	9/10	9.5/10

How We Tested

Each Ippodo matcha was tested over a two-week period using the same methodology:

• Sifted through a fine mesh strainer before whisking
• Prepared as usucha (2g powder, 70ml water at 80°C) using a chasen bamboo whisk
• Kanro additionally tested as koicha (4g powder, 30ml water at 80°C)
• Tasted blind alongside other ceremonial matchas in our testing lineup
• Assessed on colour, aroma, umami depth, sweetness, bitterness, mouthfeel, and finish
• Water used: filtered tap water (London, medium hardness)

Buying Advice: Where to Get Ippodo in the UK

Ippodo doesn't have a UK retail presence, and you won't find it on Amazon UK (be wary of third-party sellers claiming otherwise). The most reliable way to buy is directly from Ippodo's international website at ippodo-tea.co.jp/en, which ships to the UK. Expect to pay around £8–£12 for shipping, with delivery taking 5–10 business days via Japan Post.

Be aware of potential customs charges. Orders over £135 will incur VAT at the border. For a single tin or two, you'll typically stay under the threshold, but larger orders may attract additional fees.

A few specialist Japanese grocery shops in London (such as Japan Centre) occasionally stock Ippodo, but availability is inconsistent. Your safest bet is ordering direct.

Ippodo vs JENKI: Is the Premium Justified?

This is the question we get most often. JENKI offers excellent ceremonial-grade matcha at around £25–£30 for 30g, significantly more affordable per gram than any Ippodo grade. For daily matcha drinkers making lattes or quick bowls of usucha, JENKI offers better value and is our standard recommendation.

But Ippodo occupies a different space. The blending heritage, the depth of flavour (particularly in Ummon and Kanro), and the sheer craftsmanship are a tier above. If you care about traditional preparation and want to explore what matcha can be at its finest, Ippodo is worth every penny. They're not really competitors, they serve different purposes.

Who Is Ippodo For?

• Matcha enthusiasts who want to experience the gold standard of Japanese tea
• Gift buyers looking for something genuinely special and beautifully packaged
• Traditional preparation fans who own a chasen and enjoy the ritual
• Connoisseurs exploring the upper reaches of matcha quality

Ippodo is not the best choice for latte drinkers, casual matcha users, or anyone primarily motivated by value per gram.

FAQ

Is Ippodo matcha worth the price?

Yes, if you drink matcha traditionally and appreciate nuanced flavour. The quality difference between Ippodo's mid-range and most competitors' "premium ceremonial" is noticeable. However, if you mainly make lattes, you'll get better value elsewhere.

Where can I buy Ippodo matcha in the UK?

The most reliable source is Ippodo's own international website (ippodo-tea.co.jp/en), which ships directly to the UK. Some specialist Japanese shops in London carry it sporadically, but stock is unreliable.

What is the difference between Ippodo Ikuyo and Ummon?

Ikuyo (£24/20g) is Ippodo's entry ceremonial grade, smooth and clean but relatively simple. Ummon (£40/20g) has significantly more umami depth, natural sweetness, and a creamier mouthfeel. The jump in quality is substantial and, in our view, worth the price difference.

How does Ippodo compare to JENKI?

JENKI is better value for daily drinking and lattes, offering good ceremonial-grade matcha at a lower cost per gram. Ippodo excels in flavour complexity, heritage, and traditional preparation quality. They serve different purposes, JENKI for everyday use, Ippodo for when you want the finest.

Is Ippodo matcha good for lattes?

Not really. The delicate, complex flavours that make Ippodo special are largely masked by milk and sweetener. Even Ikuyo, the most affordable option, is wasted in a latte. If lattes are your primary use case, choose a quality culinary or everyday ceremonial grade instead.

How should I store my Ippodo matcha?

Keep the tin sealed tightly and store it in the fridge once opened. Use within four weeks for optimal flavour. Ippodo's tins seal well, but the powder does degrade once exposed to air, another reason the 20g format works better than you might think.

Final Verdict

Ippodo earns its reputation. After testing the range extensively, this is among the finest matcha available to UK buyers. Ummon-no-mukashi is the standout — it delivers genuinely world-class flavour at a price that, while not cheap, feels fair for what you get. Ikuyo is a respectable starting point, and Kanro is a transcendent experience for those willing to invest.

The caveats are real: shipping from Japan adds cost and wait time, the 20g tins disappear quickly, and none of these grades make sense for latte drinkers. But for anyone serious about matcha as a craft, Ippodo is essential drinking. Three hundred years of expertise isn't marketing — it's in every bowl.

Our recommendation: Start with Ummon. If it moves you, try Kanro.