ITO EN vs Marukyu-Koyamaen Matcha: 2026 Comparison
ITO EN sources from Japan while Marukyu-Koyamaen sources from Uji, Japan, giving each brand a distinct terroir and flavor profile. On price, ITO EN is $0.93/g less expensive per gram ($0.20/g vs $1.13/g).
Verdict by Axis
No single overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on which axis matters most to you.
Price per gram
ITO EN
ITO EN is $0.93/g cheaper ($0.20/g vs $1.13/g).
Testing transparency
Marukyu-Koyamaen
Marukyu-Koyamaen is Tier 4 vs Unrated for ITO EN. 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
ITO EN
ITO EN holds ORGANIC certification. Marukyu-Koyamaen does not have a publicly confirmed organic certification.
Side-by-Side Spec Table
| Field | ITO EN | Marukyu-Koyamaen |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Japan | Uji, Japan |
| Grade | Ceremonial | Ceremonial |
| Price per gram | $0.20/gBetter | $1.13/g |
| Transparency tier | -- | Tier 4 |
| Publishes numeric COA | No | No |
| Third-party tested | No | No |
| Organic certification | ORGANIC | 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 ITO EN 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 | ITO EN | 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: ITO EN June 27, 2026, Marukyu-Koyamaen June 24, 2026.
Price Comparison
ITO EN is $0.93/g cheaper than Marukyu-Koyamaen ($0.20/g vs $1.13/g, a 82% difference). At 30 servings per month, that is approximately $56/month in savings.
Detailed Analysis
Testing Transparency
No public testing statement has been found for ITO EN 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
ITO EN sources from Japan and Marukyu-Koyamaen sources from Uji, 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: Marukyu-Koyamaen (Tier 4) discloses more than ITO EN (Unrated). If price per gram is your priority: ITO EN is the more affordable option at $0.20/g. If organic certification matters to you: ITO EN holds ORGANIC certification. Marukyu-Koyamaen does not have a publicly confirmed organic certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ITO EN or Marukyu-Koyamaen cheaper?
ITO EN is cheaper at $0.20/g vs $1.13/g per gram, a difference of $0.93/g. Prices verified as of 2026-06-27.
Does ITO EN publish lab results?
No public testing statement or COA has been found for ITO EN 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 ITO EN or Marukyu-Koyamaen organic?
ITO EN holds ORGANIC certification. Marukyu-Koyamaen 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.