Article published on 29 May 2026.

Are you looking for pesticide-free matcha that’s been carefully cultivated and is fully traceable? The natural instinct is often to turn to organic products, and that makes sense. But when it comes to matcha, the label doesn’t always tell the whole story.

What the organic label really guarantees

Organic farming is based on a specific framework: a ban on synthetic pesticides, traceability, regular inspections, and compliance audits. It serves as a useful benchmark, and in many cases, it already instills a genuine sense of trust.

However, an organic label does not tell the whole story about the final product. Above all, it certifies that the production method complies with a set of specifications, not that the finished product is completely free of residues. Furthermore, specifications, inspection procedures, and administrative requirements may vary by country (Ben-Othmen, 2025).

For these reasons, independent analyses remain important, especially for a product like matcha, which is consumed in its whole-leaf powder form.

The special case of matcha

Matcha is not like other teas. You don't just steep the leaves—you consume the entire leaf, ground into a fine powder.

Further Reading

What is matcha?

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In other words, if even a trace of residue is present, it ends up directly in the cup. That is why the issue of purity is particularly important for this category of product.

The production process also matters: shade-grown cultivation, leaf selection, fine grinding, and Japanese craftsmanship. Matcha is a precision product, which explains why traceability and analysis play a significant role in purchasing decisions.

Organic farming in Japan

Japan has its own organic certification system, the JAS (Japan Agricultural Standard), which is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture.

In practice, this system can be difficult for small-scale producers to access, as it involves high audit costs, complex and ongoing documentation, and burdensome administrative procedures; furthermore, unlike in the EU or the United States, there are no financial support measures in place (Sawanobori & Babicz, 2006).

"The economic and administrative burden placed on producers has grown all the more, even though it was virtually impossible to recoup these new expenses." — Sawanobori & Babicz, 2006

As a result, some producers farm without synthetic inputs but do not go so far as to seek certification, either because they are unwilling or unable to bear the administrative burden.

This is an important point to understand: in Japan, the absence of an organic logo does not automatically mean that good agricultural practices are not being followed.

Still a very marginal form of farming

Unlike in Europe, organic farming remains relatively niche in Japan. To understand the sector, here are some figures from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture (2025):

• Certified organic farmland accounts for only 0.8 to 1% of Japan's agricultural land.
• Specifically regarding tea: approximately 4,486 tonnes of JAS-certified tea out of 68,000 tonnes produced, or just 6.6%. In other words, 93.4% of Japanese tea, including matcha, is not certified organic, even when it is grown using practices that meet or exceed organic standards.
• In 2023, the number of JAS-certified farms is estimated at 3,900, while roughly twice that number practice input-free farming without holding the certification.
• Organic market growth in Japan has been virtually flat in recent years, with a projected increase of 0.2% between 2023 and 2028 (Global Organic Trade Guide, 2024).

Why testing matters

At Milia Matcha, our matcha undergoes rigorous testing by an independent laboratory with every harvest. We have entrusted our testing to Eurofins Dr. Specht, a world-renowned laboratory that has specialized in the analysis of tea, herbs, and spices for over 50 years.

The goal is simple: to verify what the product actually contains, harvest after harvest, rather than relying solely on a certification or a claim on the packaging.

This approach is all the more relevant given that there have already been recalls of matcha and organic tea due to pesticide-related non-compliance, and that some organically farmed plots may be adjacent to conventional crops treated with pesticides, posing a risk of contamination from spray drift. In this context, analytical transparency becomes a key factor in building trust.

What we actually do

Here are the three key points of our approach:

• We work with a specific producer in Japan. As a result, we are familiar with their methods and each of their plots. This direct relationship is our first line of assurance.
• With each harvest, our matcha is analysed by Eurofins Dr. Specht, an independent laboratory specializing in tea analysis.

• We make our analyses available to everyone. You can view them right here:

Eurofins Milia Matcha Analysis

View the full analysis report

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How to Choose a High-Quality Matcha

Before you buy, ask the right questions. You can't judge good matcha by its packaging alone.

Check whether the brand can clearly tell you:

• where matcha comes from,
• who produces it,
• if the analyses are independent,
• if the results are recent,
• if the documents are available.

A label can help narrow down your choices. But when it comes to a product as delicate as matcha, it’s concrete evidence that makes the difference.

Heavy metals

Beyond pesticides, the issue of heavy metals is just as critical. Naturally present in the environment, they are inevitably found in trace amounts in most teas. What really matters is not so much their presence as their precise concentration, which is rigorously quantified through laboratory analysis.

Further Reading

Heavy Metals in Matcha

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Conclusion

The "organic" label remains a useful guide. But when it comes to Japanese matcha, it alone is not enough to judge the product's true quality.

Given the differences in certification, the administrative constraints in Japan, and the limitations of a label that primarily describes a process, it makes more sense to also consider independent analyses and actual traceability.

It is this combination that makes it possible to choose a matcha that is clearer, more transparent, and more credible.

 

Sources

Ben-Othmen, M. (2025, 16 October). Why “organic” labels aren’t the same from one country to another. The Conversation.

Bernier, B. (2010). Organic Farming in Japan. Anthropologie et Sociétés, 34(1), 169–182.

FAO/WHO. (2006). Pesticide Residues in Food 2006.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. (2025). The Situation Surrounding Organic Agriculture in Japan.

Sawanobori, S., & Babicz, L. (2006). Japanese Organic Agriculture Since the 1990s: Legislation and Official Policies. Ebisu, 35(1), 31–57.

Japan | Global Organic Trade Guide. (n.d.).