Ippodo Tea vs Matcha Karu Matcha: 2026 Comparison
Ippodo Tea sources from Uji, Japan while Matcha Karu sources from Japan, giving each brand a distinct terroir and flavor profile.
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
Only Ippodo Tea has a published price ($2.05/g). Cannot compare.
Testing transparency
Ippodo Tea
Ippodo Tea is Tier 3 vs Unrated for Matcha Karu. 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
Matcha Karu
Matcha Karu holds ORGANIC certification. Ippodo Tea does not have a publicly confirmed organic certification.
Side-by-Side Spec Table
| Field | Ippodo Tea | Matcha Karu |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Uji, Japan | Japan |
| Grade | Ceremonial | Premium |
| Price per gram | $2.05/g | Not available |
| Transparency tier | Tier 3 | -- |
| Publishes numeric COA | No | No |
| Third-party tested | No | No |
| Organic certification | None | ORGANIC |
| Lead (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Cadmium (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Arsenic (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Mercury (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Pesticide tested | No | No |
| Last verified | June 27, 2026 | date unknown |
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 Ippodo Tea nor Matcha Karu has published numeric heavy metal values as of the last verification dates (June 27, 2026 and date unknown respectively). Without published ppb values, independent verification is not possible.
| Metal | Ippodo Tea | Matcha Karu |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Cadmium | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Arsenic | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
| Mercury | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked date unknown) |
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: Ippodo Tea June 27, 2026, Matcha Karu date unknown.
Price Comparison
Matcha Karu does not have a published price per gram. Ippodo Tea is priced at $2.05/g (as of 2026-06-27).
Detailed Analysis
Testing Transparency
Ippodo Tea states that it tests its products but has not published numeric results publicly. No public testing statement has been found for Matcha Karu as of the last verification date.
Origin and Sourcing
Ippodo Tea sources from Uji, Japan and Matcha Karu sources from Japan. Different growing regions produce distinct flavor profiles: Uji matcha tends toward sweet umami, Kagoshima toward fresh and grassy, and Yame toward rich and complex. Neither region is objectively superior.
Which Should You Buy?
If testing transparency is your priority: Ippodo Tea (Tier 3) discloses more than Matcha Karu (Unrated). If organic certification matters to you: Matcha Karu holds ORGANIC certification. Ippodo Tea does not have a publicly confirmed organic certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of Ippodo Tea vs Matcha Karu?
Ippodo Tea is priced at $2.05/g. Matcha Karu does not have a published price per gram available.
Does Ippodo Tea publish lab results?
Ippodo Tea states that it tests its products but has not published numeric results publicly as of June 27, 2026.
Does Matcha Karu publish lab results?
No public testing statement or COA has been found for Matcha Karu as of date unknown.
Is Ippodo Tea or Matcha Karu organic?
Matcha Karu holds ORGANIC certification. Ippodo Tea 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.