Marlo's Matcha and Raku Matcha Comparison
Comparing ceremonial grade matcha online often comes down to getting lost in marketing language and spending hours trying to find real differences between brands.
Both Marlo's Matcha and Raku Matcha source from Japan's tea regions, but transparency, sourcing practices, and brand positioning vary significantly.
I'm Jasmine, co-founder of Marlo's Matcha, and I was interviewed by Bloomberg about matcha.
In this article, I'll compare 753 Matcha and Raku's Hikari Ceremonial Grade Matcha, the most direct product match between both brands.
Matcha Comparison
| Aspect | Marlo's Matcha (753 Matcha) | Raku Matcha (Hikari) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Honyama, Shizuoka, Japan | Uji, Japan |
| Grade | Ceremonial grade, single-origin | Ceremonial grade |
| Cultivars | Asahi, Okumidori, and Saemidori | Not publicly available |
| Flavor | Super smooth with deep umami, nuttiness, sweetness, and nori | Umami rich with natural sweet tones, sweetness with soft umami |
| Packaging | Artistic tins with info on cultivar, origin, terroir, and harvest timing | Metal tin with info on region and flavor notes, prep instructions |
| Brand | Design-driven brand born out of Tokyo, founder led story | Inspired by a trip to Japan, strong social media presence |
| Shipping | Available in the UK and Japan | Available Worldwide |
| Price | 30g metal tin priced at £28 | 30g metal tin priced at £25 |
Marlo's Matcha
753 Matcha comes from Honyama in Shizuoka's mountains. Mist and dramatic temperature shifts between morning and evening create conditions that develop depth and fragrance in the tea leaves. This specific terroir shapes the character of 753.
Our matcha uses a three-cultivar blend: Asahi, Okumidori, and Saemidori. Asahi contributes delicate sweetness, Okumidori adds body, and Saemidori brings aromatic complexity.
Traditional two-stage shade-growing and stone-grinding preserve the vibrant green color and nutrients. The intensity of color and depth of flavor sets 753 apart from other ceremonial grades.
Our packaging lists cultivar details, origin specifics, terroir factors, and harvest timing. Before selecting 753, we visited farms and tasted about 20 matcha powders from different regions.
Direct farm relationships mean we can share exactly where your matcha comes from and how it's produced, so you can be confident in your cup.
Raku Matcha
Hikari Ceremonial Grade is Raku's premium product, sourced from Uji, Japan. Uji is a recognized tea region, though it encompasses many farms with varying production standards.
Raku describes Hikari as having smooth texture with naturally sweet tones and soft umami. First harvest leaves are stone ground to fine powder. The flavor profile centers on gentle sweetness that lingers.
Cultivar information isn't publicly available. Without knowing which tea plant varieties are used or specific farm details, there's limited transparency about production methods.
The brand story references inspiration from a trip to Japan, though the founders aren't clearly visible. Raku has built strong presence on TikTok and Instagram.
Beyond Hikari, their range includes Shōgun ceremonial grade at a lower price point and Hōjicha.
Key Summary
Both Marlo's Matcha and Raku Matcha offer ceremonial grade matcha from Japanese tea regions. The key difference lies in transparency and sourcing approach.
Choose Marlo's Matcha for farm-specific transparency, detailed cultivar information, and founder-driven sourcing. Choose Raku Matcha for broader product selection and a slightly lower price point.
