A WAO STORY

WAO Matcha was created from a simple idea: Making really good matcha easy to enjoy, every day.


The journey began with a genuine curiosity for Japanese tea culture and a fascination for matcha’s taste and health benefits. What started as a school project quickly turned into something bigger, driven by a growing interest in matcha and a clear lack of high-quality, approachable options on the market.


At WAO Matcha, we focus on quality from leaf to cup to be enjoyed every day. Our matcha is carefully sourced and thoughtfully produced, with attention to origin, taste and price. No shortcuts, no unnecessary extras. Just good matcha for everyday use.


WAO is about lowering the threshold. Whether you’re new to matcha or already love it, we want it to feel simple, enjoyable and a natural part of your routine.

Good matcha shouldn’t be complicated. It should taste great, feel good and make you want another cup!

  • Matcha is finely ground green tea powder made from shadow grown tea leaves. Unlike regular tea, you drink the whole leaf, which means more flavor, more nutrients, and a calmer, longer-lasting energy.

    Think: umami and focused without jitters.

  • All our matcha comes from carefully selected organic tea farms in Japan.

    Kyoto, Japan — A region known for centuries of tea craftsmanship and some of the world’s finest matcha.

    Kyushu, Japan — A southern island shaped by volcanic soils, early harvests, and a warm climate. Generations of tea farmers have produced vibrant, naturally sweet matcha here.

  • Matcha production is slow and very intentional:

    • Tea plants are shade-grown weeks before harvest (this boosts chlorophyll and flavor).
    • The tea leaves are hand-picked, steamed, and dried.
    • Stems and veins are removed.
    • The leaves are stone-ground into a fine, vibrant green powder.

      No shortcuts. Ever.
  • Good matcha should taste smooth, with umami and a slight natural sweetness. Never harsh, always balanced.


    You’ll notice a gentle umami depth (that creamy, almost velvety feeling), a fresh green brightness, and a clean slightly sweet finish. High-quality matcha shouldn’t be bitter. If it tastes sharp or unpleasantly grassy, it’s usually a lower grade.

    WAO Matcha (Everyday) is soft and smooth, with a low bitterness that works beautifully in lattes.

    WAO Ceremonial (Luxury) is naturally sweet and round, with zero bitterness.

    Matcha is green, but it shouldn’t taste aggressive.

  • Both are organic, high-quality Japanese matcha made for different moments.

    WAO Matcha
    Our bestseller with high-quality, organic matcha from Kyoto, Japan. Made to be your daily go-to for matcha lattes, iced matcha, and everyday rituals. It has a soft mouthfeel, balanced taste with low bitterness, and a slight natural sweetness. This one blends beautifully with milk.

    WAO Ceremonial
    Our most refined matcha. True ceremonial grade, made from 1st harvest leaves only (the youngest, most delicate ones). It’s grown in Kyushu, Japan, and stone-ground the traditional way.

    The result? A naturally sweet, ultra-smooth matcha with zero bitterness.
    This is the one you drink as a pure tea or in luxury drinks.

    In short:
    WAO Matcha = everyday satisfaction, smooth, latte perfection.

    WAO Ceremonial = highest grade, most balanced, no bitterness.

  • No. Pure matcha contains zero added sugar.

    Any sweetness you taste comes naturally from the young tea leaves.

  • Our matcha is made of 100% tea. Plant based.

  • Yes! All our matcha is certified organic and we would never compromise with that.

  • How do I store my matcha? 

    Matcha is sensitive to light, heat, air, and moisture. To keep it fresh:

    • Store it in a cool, dry place
    • Keep the lid tightly closed
    • Avoid direct sunlight
    • Don’t store it next to your stove

    If you want to extend freshness even more, you can keep it in the fridge. Just make sure it’s sealed properly to avoid condensation. But keep in mind: Matcha does not like too much temperature difference.

  • We’re very picky.

    WAO Matcha: High-quality everyday grade.

    WAO Ceremonial: True ceremonial grade, the highest quality available.

    A quick tip:High-quality matcha is bright, vibrant green.Dull, yellowish, or brown matcha? Hard pass.

OUR FOUNDER

ASTRID JOHANSSON

Driven by a long-standing curiosity for matcha and a love for wellbeing, her journey with matcha began early and took shape as a business idea during her final year of school. What started as a project quickly grew into something more, as the response made one thing clear: There was room for matcha that was both high quality and easy to approach.

Since then, Astrid has continued to build WAO Matcha with a clear focus on taste, quality, and accessibility. She remains closely involved in every part of the brand, from sourcing the products to how WAO is experienced. Creating a community for matcha lovers.

With WAO Matcha, her goal is simple: Make really good matcha feel natural to enjoy every day.

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