Kanbayashi Shunsho vs Midori Spring Matcha: 2026 Comparison
Kanbayashi Shunsho sources from Japan while Midori Spring sources from Indonesia, giving each brand a distinct terroir and flavor profile. 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 ($0.92/g vs $0.93/g). Effectively a tie.
Testing transparency
Midori Spring
Midori Spring is Tier 2 vs Unrated for Kanbayashi Shunsho. Lower tier number means more disclosure.
Published lead level
Tie / indeterminate
Midori Spring publishes a lead value (0.135 ppm). Kanbayashi Shunsho has not published a numeric lead value. Cannot compare directly.
Origin
Tie / indeterminate
One or both brands have not publicly disclosed their leaf origin region.
Organic certification
Tie / indeterminate
Both brands hold organic certification (ORGANIC and ORGANIC). Tie.
Side-by-Side Spec Table
| Field | Kanbayashi Shunsho | Midori Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Japan | Indonesia |
| Grade | Ceremonial | Ceremonial |
| Price per gram | $0.92/gBetter | $0.93/g |
| Transparency tier | -- | Tier 2 |
| Publishes numeric COA | No | No |
| Third-party tested | No | YesBetter |
| Organic certification | ORGANIC | ORGANIC |
| Lead (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | 0.135 ppm |
| Cadmium (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) |
| Arsenic (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) |
| Mercury (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) |
| Pesticide tested | No | Yes |
| Last verified | June 27, 2026 | June 27, 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
Midori Spring reports a lead level of 0.135 ppm (verified June 27, 2026). Kanbayashi Shunsho has not published a numeric lead value (checked June 27, 2026). Without a published value from Kanbayashi Shunsho, a direct comparison is not possible. The absence of published data does not indicate safety or danger.
| Metal | Kanbayashi Shunsho | Midori Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | 0.135 ppm |
| Cadmium | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) |
| Arsenic | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) |
| Mercury | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 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: Kanbayashi Shunsho June 27, 2026, Midori Spring June 27, 2026.
Price Comparison
Kanbayashi Shunsho ($0.92/g) and Midori Spring ($0.93/g) are priced within 1% 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 Kanbayashi Shunsho as of the last verification date. Midori Spring publishes some COA data but not at full ppb resolution with a named lab and date.
Origin and Sourcing
Kanbayashi Shunsho sources from Japan and Midori Spring sources from Indonesia. 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: Midori Spring (Tier 2) discloses more than Kanbayashi Shunsho (Unrated).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kanbayashi Shunsho or Midori Spring cheaper?
Kanbayashi Shunsho is cheaper at $0.92/g vs $0.93/g per gram, a difference of $0.01/g. Prices verified as of 2026-06-27.
Does Kanbayashi Shunsho publish lab results?
No public testing statement or COA has been found for Kanbayashi Shunsho as of June 27, 2026.
Does Midori Spring publish lab results?
Midori Spring publishes some COA data but not at full ppb resolution with a named lab and date. Verified June 27, 2026.
Which is third-party tested: Kanbayashi Shunsho or Midori Spring?
Midori Spring is third-party tested. Kanbayashi Shunsho does not have a confirmed third-party testing status 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.