Understanding Single vs Multiple Matcha Cultivars

When you're shopping for matcha, you'll see brands mention single-cultivar or blended.

It sounds technical, but it's actually straightforward. And it affects how your matcha tastes, what it costs, and how consistent it is year after year.

Here's what the difference means and how to choose.

What Is a Matcha Cultivar?

Cultivars are specific varieties of the tea plant like Yabukita, Asahi, Okumidori, Saemidori, Samidori, Gokou. Think of them like apple varieties. A Granny Smith tastes completely different from a Honeycrisp.

Each cultivar has distinct genetic traits that determine flavor, aroma, and color. Some naturally produce more umami. Others lean sweeter or more vegetal. Some create vibrant green color, while others give you deeper tones.

The question isn't which cultivar is "best," but whether you want one cultivar or multiple.

Single-Cultivar Matcha

Single-cultivar matcha is made from one named variety, showing that cultivar's personality without anything else in the mix.

This approach offers transparent terroir expression. You can taste how the region, soil, and climate shaped the leaves. There's nothing smoothing over those characteristics.

It's often positioned as premium with a higher price point due to rarity. Limited availability and the resources needed to cultivate a single cultivar at scale drive the cost up.

There's also year-to-year variation based on seasonal growing conditions. One harvest might taste different from the next because weather and temperature affect the leaves. For some people, that variation is part of the appeal.

Single-cultivar matcha is best for ceremonial preparation and exploring individual cultivar characteristics. It's more specialized than what most everyday matcha drinkers are looking for.

Multiple-Cultivar Matcha

Multiple-cultivar matcha combines two or more cultivars to create balanced, complex flavor. Instead of showcasing one plant variety, the goal is bringing different cultivars together to achieve something specific.

The thing is, if you've had matcha before it's most likely been a blend since most matcha brands use blends. For example, 753 Matcha uses Asahi, Okumidori, and Saemidori because each one brings something the others don't.

These blends are designed to balance the four pillars of flavor: umami, sweetness, bitterness, astringency. Tea masters adjust the ratios to hit the right levels of each. Too much bitterness and the matcha feels harsh. Not enough umami and it tastes flat.

One advantage of blends is year-to-year consistency. Tea masters adjust ratios each harvest to account for seasonal variation. If one cultivar came in sweeter this year, they'll tweak the proportions to maintain the same profile.

Blends are versatile for straight drinking, lattes, and culinary applications.

How Blends Are Actually Made

Tea masters at farms create specific blend formulas based on decades of experience. They know which cultivars complement each other, which ratios produce the flavor profiles people want, and how to adjust for variation.

Brands taste curated options to find their match. We tasted approximately 20 different matchas from farms across Japan before choosing what became 753 Matcha.

"Blended" doesn't mean lower quality. It means intentionally crafted for a specific flavor goal. The quality comes down to sourcing, expertise, and how thoughtfully the blend is designed.

Which Should You Choose?

Single cultivars work well for exploring flavor nuances, ceremonial practice, and experiencing seasonal variation. If you're interested in studying how individual cultivars taste or enjoy traditional tea ceremony, single-cultivar matcha gives you that pure expression.

Multiple cultivars work better for consistent daily lattes and approachable flavor. If you want matcha that tastes the same every time or you're using it in milk-based drinks, a quality blend is the better choice.

If you're new to matcha, start with a well-crafted blend like 753 Matcha to understand what balanced matcha should taste like. Then if you're interested in exploring more, consider single-cultivar matcha.