FAQ

Yes! Yu Tea is a certified organic company. All of our products are grown organically, tested, and certified organic.

All of our green teas come from certified organic farms in Japan. We have visited most of them in person, and we carefully vet any farm we haven't visited yet.

Yes. Every batch of every Yu Tea is tested by an independent, accredited third-party lab for heavy metals, radiation and microbes, and our matcha is also tested for pesticide residues. You can read about what we test for and why on our clean green tea page, and about our quality standards here. Our teas are also certified organic.

The caffeine content in our teas per serving (one stick) is outlined as follows:

• Yu Sencha, Regular: about 20 mg
• Yu Sencha, Decaf: about 4 mg
• Yu Matcha: about 41 mg
• Yu Matcha, Decaf: about 6 mg
• Yu Hojicha: about 17 mg
• Yu Genmaicha: about 5 mg

*Note: These figures are from our most recent batch testing; results vary by lot and packaging.

For a point of reference, a cup of coffee has about 95–240 mg of caffeine and a cup of hot chocolate about 5–25 mg (per 8 oz).

Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Black Tea all originate from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, which naturally contains caffeine. The amount of caffeine in Green Tea, including matcha, as well as Oolong Tea and Black Tea, is influenced by the growing conditions and the treatments applied post-harvest. The unique flavor and nutritional profile of each type of tea are crafted through the fermentation (oxidation) and finishing processes. Oxidation leads to a reduction in the levels of Catechins and EGCG in tea leaves. As a result, the more oxidized Oolong Tea and Black Tea have lower concentrations of Catechins and EGCG compared to Green Tea, which undergoes no oxidation. Our Yu teas are unoxidized green tea, with a gentle amount of caffeine. For further reading, see our detailed page on How Much Caffeine is in Green Tea, and, for how we make a matcha with almost no caffeine, our decaf matcha guide.

It depends on the tea. Our Decaf Sencha is decaffeinated with water only: water removes most of the caffeine, then we stone-mill the dried leaf like all our teas. Our Decaf Matcha goes through two steps: the same water process first, then a supercritical CO2 step that reduces caffeine to about 6 mg per serving, leaving about 81 mg of EGCG and about 23.7 mg of L-theanine in a 1.5 g serving (from our most recent batch testing; results vary by lot and packaging).

Our decaffeination process page walks through each step, and our decaf matcha guide shows what is left in the cup.

Most of what you drink green tea for stays in the cup. Our Decaf Matcha keeps about 81 mg of EGCG per 1.5 g serving, 86% of what the leaf held before decaffeination, plus about 23.7 mg of L-theanine, with about 6 mg of caffeine (from our most recent batch testing; results vary by lot and packaging). We decaffeinate our Sencha with water alone and, like all our teas, stone-mill it whole-leaf, so nothing is left behind in a tea bag. Read more on our decaf green tea page and our decaf matcha guide.

Green tea is a food, so we talk about what is in it rather than promise what it will do for you. Three compounds get the most attention:

CATECHINS
Plant compounds (polyphenols) that give green tea its slightly astringent taste. A serving of our matcha has about 185 mg.

EGCG
The most abundant catechin in green tea, and the one researchers study most. A serving of our matcha has about 122 mg, and a serving of our sencha about 65 mg.

L-THEANINE
An amino acid found almost only in tea. Together with caffeine, it gives green tea its calm, focused feel. A serving of our matcha has about 28 mg.

Figures are from our most recent batch testing; results vary by lot and packaging.

Researchers have studied green tea for heart health, blood sugar, weight and more, with mixed results, and much of that work used extracts or many cups a day. We sum up what those studies found, and what they did not, in green tea benefits: what the research says. If you take medication, please ask your doctor about green tea, since it can interact with some medicines.

One cup a day is a fine place to start. We suggest no more than 4 to 5 cups a day, spaced an hour or two apart. Because our teas are whole-leaf powders, you take in the whole leaf with every cup, so there is no need to drink more than that.

Caffeine is rarely the limit. The FDA cites 400 mg per day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects in healthy adults, and ACOG advises under 200 mg a day during pregnancy. Five cups of our Matcha come to about 205 mg; five cups of our Sencha, about 75 mg; five cups of either decaf, about 30 mg or less.

Very high doses of EGCG from concentrated extracts and supplements have been linked to liver problems in some people, so enjoy green tea as a drink and talk to your healthcare provider before increasing it significantly.

Yes, we use specific packaging methods to maintain freshness. For single-serving
sticks, we implement nitrogen flushing to preserve quality. For pouch products, an
oxygen absorber packet is included to ensure freshness. Additionally, depending on the outside temperature, we use temperature-controlled containers - like a giant fridge - during transport to preserve quality.

Green tea contains caffeine, so it is worth being careful with children. If your child would like to try it, our decaf teas (about 4 to 6 mg of caffeine a serving) or genmaicha (about 5 mg) are the gentlest choices, and it is a good idea to check with your pediatrician first. For more, see Can Kids Drink Green Tea?

To preserve the freshness, flavor, and beneficial compounds in your Yu Tea, store it away from air, sunlight, moisture, and heat. Green tea powders such as matcha and powdered sencha are especially delicate, so proper storage is important.

1. Keep it sealed tightly: Our pouches and single-serving sticks are sealed oxygen-free to help protect freshness while unopened. After opening, gently press out excess air and reseal the pouch securely after each use. Once opened, exposure to oxygen and moisture begins to reduce freshness, so we recommend enjoying green tea powders within 1–3 months for best quality.
2. Protect it from light and air: If preferred, transfer your tea to a non-clear, airtight container with a snug-fitting lid to help protect it from light, air, and humidity.
3. Refrigerate delicate green tea powders when possible: For matcha and powdered sencha, refrigeration is ideal, especially in warmer climates. A temperature range of 34–39°F (1–4°C) is the most practical for helping preserve sensitive compounds such as EGCG. Under refrigerated, dry, dark, and well-sealed conditions, quality declines only slowly over time.
4. Bring it to room temperature before opening: When removing tea from the refrigerator, let the unopened pouch or container come fully to room temperature before opening. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside.
5. Roasted teas are more stable: Roasted teas such as hojicha are less sensitive than powdered green teas and generally maintain their quality for longer.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that every cup of Yu Tea stays as vibrant and satisfying as possible.

We've curated a diverse range of teas to cater to your unique preferences. Here's a guide to finding your match among our offerings:

• Craving a Boost? Opt for our Ceremonial Grade Matcha. This tea provides a harmonious blend of caffeine and L-theanine for a tranquil, sustained energy boost. Gram for gram, Sencha powder carries slightly more EGCG than matcha; a serving of matcha carries more, because the serving is twice the size.
• Want More EGCG per Gram? Our Sencha Powder, available in Regular or Decaf, is your go-to choice for a lower caffeine alternative to Matcha with slightly more EGCG per gram.
• Tea Aficionado? Our premium Hojicha and Genmaicha are crafted for the discerning tea connoisseur seeking the pinnacle of quality.
• Adventurous Palate? We have an array of powdered green teas with varying flavors awaiting your discovery. Explore our collection for the full spectrum of Japanese tea experiences we offer.

Whether you're after the calm energy of Matcha, the bright, crisp taste of Sencha, or the toasty flavors of Hojicha and Genmaicha, there's a Yu tea for you.

Yes, often. A Best By Date refers to quality rather than safety, so tea does not suddenly become unsafe once that date has passed. Our pouches and single-serving sticks are sealed oxygen-free to help protect freshness while unopened, which helps slow quality loss over time.

That said, tea naturally changes with age. After the Best By Date, the biggest differences are usually in flavor, aroma, color, and freshness, rather than safety. More delicate teas such as matcha and sencha tend to decline more quickly, while roasted teas like hojicha generally remain stable for longer.

Storage conditions make a meaningful difference. Tea that has been kept cool, dry, dark, and well sealed is more likely to retain its quality longer. For delicate green tea powders, refrigeration can help preserve freshness, but the tea should be allowed to return to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation.

Once opened, exposure to oxygen and moisture gradually speeds up quality decline. Before consuming tea past its Best By Date, check that the packaging is intact and that the tea shows no signs of moisture, mold, pests, unusual clumping, or an off smell. If it looks and smells normal, it may still be enjoyable, though it may taste less vibrant than when it was at peak freshness.

Absolutely! Our Ceremonial Grade A Matcha makes an excellent coffee alternative. Here's why many people switch:

1. Smooth Energy: Matcha gives a calm, steady lift from caffeine and L-theanine together, an amino acid found almost only in tea.
2. Less Caffeine: A serving has about 41 mg of caffeine, against about 95–240 mg in a cup of coffee.
3. Catechins in Every Cup: You drink the whole stone-milled leaf, with about 185 mg of catechins, including about 122 mg of EGCG, per serving (from our most recent batch testing; results vary by lot and packaging).
4. Less Need for Add-ins: Matcha's naturally creamy texture and slight sweetness often need less sweetener or creamer than coffee.

Curious what the research says? Read what studies have found about matcha, or explore our Matcha options.