Color is one of the clearest indicators of matcha quality and freshness. If your matcha looks dull, something’s off.
What Good Matcha Looks Like
Fresh, quality matcha is:
- Vibrant green — Almost electric
- Consistent color — No brown spots or variation
- Slightly luminous — Has a fresh, alive quality
Think fresh spring grass, not dried herbs.
Why Your Matcha Might Be Dull
It’s Lower Quality
The biggest factor in matcha color is leaf quality:
- First harvest leaves (spring) are youngest and most chlorophyll-rich — bright green
- Later harvest leaves have less chlorophyll — duller
- Shading before harvest increases chlorophyll — premium matcha is shaded longer
Cheaper matcha often uses later harvests or isn’t shaded as long, resulting in less vibrant color.
It’s Gone Stale
Even good matcha loses color over time:
- Oxidation turns matcha from bright green to olive or brownish
- Light exposure accelerates color degradation
- Time — matcha starts fading once the package is opened
If your matcha was bright when you bought it but isn’t anymore, staleness is likely.
It Was Exposed to Light
UV light degrades matcha quickly. Signs of light damage:
- Faded or yellowish color
- Loss of fresh aroma
- Flat taste
This is why quality matcha comes in opaque containers.
It’s Not Real Matcha
Some products labeled “matcha” are:
- Ground-up green tea (not the same as matcha)
- Mixed with cheaper tea powders
- Made from non-shade-grown leaves
These won’t have matcha’s characteristic bright green.
Color Expectations by Grade
| Grade | Expected Color |
|---|---|
| High ceremonial | Vibrant, almost electric green |
| Ceremonial | Bright green |
| Culinary/latte | Green, may be slightly less vibrant |
| Low quality | Dull, olive, or brownish-green |
Note: Even culinary grade should be clearly green. “Culinary” doesn’t mean “brown.”
Can You Fix It?
Unfortunately, you can’t restore faded color. Once matcha has oxidized, those compounds are gone.
What you can do:
- Use it in lattes or baking — Color matters less when mixed with other ingredients
- Finish it quickly — The taste will continue to decline
- Learn for next time — Store properly and buy from better sources
Preventing Color Loss
- Buy fresh — Check production dates when possible
- Store properly — Cool, dark, airtight (refrigerator is ideal)
- Use quickly — Finish within 1-2 months of opening
- Keep sealed — Don’t leave the container open