Aiya vs Marukyu-Koyamaen Matcha: 2026 Comparison
This 2026 comparison covers Aiya and Marukyu-Koyamaen across price, testing transparency, heavy metal disclosure, and organic certification. Both brands are priced within 5% of each other per gram, so price is not a meaningful differentiator here.
Verdict by Axis
No single overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on which axis matters most to you.
Price per gram
Tie / indeterminate
Both brands are priced within 5% of each other ($1.17/g vs $1.13/g). Effectively a tie.
Testing transparency
Marukyu-Koyamaen
Marukyu-Koyamaen is Tier 4 vs Unrated for Aiya. Lower tier number means more disclosure.
Published lead level
Tie / indeterminate
Neither brand has published a numeric lead value. Cannot compare.
Origin
Tie / indeterminate
One or both brands have not publicly disclosed their leaf origin region.
Organic certification
Tie / indeterminate
Neither brand has a publicly confirmed organic certification.
Side-by-Side Spec Table
| Field | Aiya | Marukyu-Koyamaen |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Not disclosed | Uji, Japan |
| Grade | Not specified | Ceremonial |
| Price per gram | $1.17/g | $1.13/gBetter |
| Transparency tier | -- | Tier 4 |
| Publishes numeric COA | No | No |
| Third-party tested | No | No |
| Organic certification | None | None |
| Lead (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Cadmium (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Arsenic (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Mercury (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Pesticide tested | No | No |
| Last verified | June 27, 2026 | June 24, 2026 |
Origin
Grade
Price per gram
Transparency tier
Publishes numeric COA
Third-party tested
Organic certification
Lead (published)
Cadmium (published)
Arsenic (published)
Mercury (published)
Pesticide tested
Last verified
Heavy Metals and Safety Disclosure
Neither Aiya nor Marukyu-Koyamaen has published numeric heavy metal values as of the last verification dates (June 27, 2026 and June 24, 2026 respectively). Without published ppb values, independent verification is not possible.
| Metal | Aiya | Marukyu-Koyamaen |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Cadmium | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Arsenic | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
| Mercury | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 24, 2026) |
Source: brand-published COAs and independent test results. Values are from specific batches and dates. Absence of published data does not indicate safety or danger. Last verified: Aiya June 27, 2026, Marukyu-Koyamaen June 24, 2026.
Price Comparison
Aiya ($1.17/g) and Marukyu-Koyamaen ($1.13/g) are priced within 3% of each other per gram. The price difference is negligible for most buyers.
Detailed Analysis
Testing Transparency
No public testing statement has been found for Aiya as of the last verification date. No public testing statement has been found for Marukyu-Koyamaen as of the last verification date.
Origin and Sourcing
Marukyu-Koyamaen sources from Uji, Japan. Aiya has not publicly disclosed a specific leaf origin region. Origin cannot be fully compared.
Which Should You Buy?
If testing transparency is your priority: Marukyu-Koyamaen (Tier 4) discloses more than Aiya (Unrated).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aiya or Marukyu-Koyamaen cheaper?
Marukyu-Koyamaen is cheaper at $1.13/g vs $1.17/g per gram, a difference of $0.04/g. Prices verified as of 2026-06.
Does Aiya publish lab results?
No public testing statement or COA has been found for Aiya as of June 27, 2026.
Does Marukyu-Koyamaen publish lab results?
No public testing statement or COA has been found for Marukyu-Koyamaen as of June 24, 2026.
Is Aiya or Marukyu-Koyamaen organic?
Marukyu-Koyamaen holds None certification. Aiya does not have a publicly confirmed organic certification as of the last verification date.
Related comparisons
All data in this comparison is sourced from publicly available COAs, brand websites, and independent test results. Every safety data point carries its source and last-verified date. Steady Matcha does not conduct or claim ownership of third-party test results for other brands. Brand information changes: verify current status before purchasing.