Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder

{
  "lead": {
    "prop65_threshold_cited": "0.5 ppm (CA Prop 65 limit) as stated on page",
    "result": "none detected at this limit",
    "underlying_test": "ConsumerLab tested Encha Organic Matcha in 2016 (page does not host the actual ConsumerLab report; states 'We are not authorized to post its report.')",
    "press_citation": "TIME Magazine cited the ConsumerLab work, stating the powders 'were not contaminated by lead or other metals, and also did not contain pesticides'"
  },
  "radiation": {
    "claim": "Radioactivity is NEVER detected in Encha Organic Matcha",
    "frequency": "annual radioactivity test",
    "visual_evidence": "page displays an image of a 2020 no-radiation report (image content not extractable as text)"
  },
  "pesticides": {
    "result": "not detected (per the TIME Magazine / ConsumerLab reference cited on page)"
  },
  "cadmium_arsenic_mercury": "no specific numeric results or standalone claims provided on this page",
  "testing_lab_name_given_on_page": "ConsumerLab.com (referenced, not Encha's own named lab)",
  "test_date": "2016 (ConsumerLab); 2020 (radiation report image)"
}

{
  "date_published": "2026-05 (chart periodically updated; covers testing conducted 2024-2026)",
  "tester": "Independent third-party laboratory testing coordinated by Lead Safe Mama, LLC (Tamara Rubin); consumer advocacy site, not a government regulator",
  "products_tested_in_chart": [
    "Kachava Superblend Matcha Shake",
    "Bryan Johnson BLUEPRINT Matcha",
    "Encha Organic Ceremonial Matcha",
    "Pique Organic Sun Goddess Matcha",
    "Matchaful Kiwami Super Ceremonial",
    "Matcha.com Organic Superior Matcha",
    "Jade Leaf Organic Ceremonial Matcha",
    "DO Organic Ceremonial Matcha",
    "Sencha Organic Matcha (Costco)"
  ],
  "database_brand_matches_in_chart": {
    "Encha": "Encha Organic Ceremonial Matcha",
    "Matcha.com": "Matcha.com Organic Superior Matcha",
    "Pique Tea": "Pique Organic Sun Goddess Matcha",
    "Jade Leaf Matcha": "Jade Leaf Organic Ceremonial Matcha (see separate detailed entry)"
  },
  "unmatched_products_not_in_database": [
    "Kachava Superblend Matcha Shake",
    "Bryan Johnson BLUEPRINT Matcha",
    "Matchaful Kiwami Super Ceremonial",
    "DO Organic Ceremonial Matcha",
    "Sencha Organic Matcha (Costco) - possibly a Costco house-brand item, not confirmed to be Kirkland Signature"
  ],
  "contaminants_tested": [
    "Lead",
    "Cadmium",
    "Mercury",
    "Arsenic"
  ],
  "specific_numeric_results": "Not extractable from article summary text; individual per-product lab reports are linked from the chart but numeric ppb values were not machine-readable in this fetch",
  "headline_conclusion": "Article states: 'We have not yet found a safer choice for a matcha product,' implying all/most tested products in the chart showed heavy metal levels the tester considers to exceed its cited action levels (5 ppb lead/cadmium, 2 ppb mercury, 10 ppb arsenic).",
  "regulatory_status": "Independent consumer-advocacy lab testing, NOT an FDA/USDA/state recall or enforcement notice. No confirmed official regulatory action tied to this chart was found.",
  "caveat": "Because exact numeric results per brand could not be extracted via automated fetch, treat directional finding (heavy metals detected across matcha category broadly, including Encha, Matcha.com, and Pique Tea products) as unverified pending manual review of the source page and linked individual lab reports."
}

{
  "lead_ppb": null,
  "cadmium_ppb": null,
  "mercury_ppb": null,
  "arsenic_ppb": null,
  "safety_threshold": {
    "lead_ppb": 5,
    "cadmium_ppb": 5,
    "mercury_ppb": 2,
    "arsenic_ppb": 10
  },
  "verdict": "Tested positive for Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic. Tamara Rubin states this is 'a concerning product if it is being consumed by pregnant women — or any women of childbearing age.' Exact ppb figures are shown only in an embedded lab-report chart image, not extractable as text, so specific numeric values could not be confirmed.",
  "product_tested": "Encha Pure Organic Premium 1st Harvest Ceremonial Grade Matcha"
}

{
  "ranking_or_verdict": "6th Place (Ceremonial, 8 tested), 21.75/25",
  "notes": "Product: Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha. Color: 'Vibrant, deep green apple color'. Aroma: 'More detectable bitterness on the nose'. Note: article says brand is tested for radioactivity; a wasabi undertone was detected."
}

{
  "rating": "4.5/5",
  "review_summary": "Exceptionally smooth with complex flavor notes. Vibrant green color, sweet grass aroma, nice foamlike froth, umami notes, smooth/subtle with slight earthy bittersweet undertones. Reusable glass jar with bamboo lid called reviewer's 'favorite matcha container' among dozens tested. Consistent quality across harvest years, 'on par with the best' tasted. Glass jar adds $6 to price vs bag options.",
  "grade_stated": "Ceremonial",
  "price_per_oz_stated": "$23.54 (origin: Uji, Kyoto, Japan)"
}

{
  "rating_or_verdict": "Best Overall",
  "notes": "'Exceptional balance and versatility' with 'no bitterness', per the reviewing registered dietitian."
}

{
  "tier": "Tier 5 - Don't Recommend (worst tier)",
  "price_noted": "$19.99",
  "notes": "Quoted as having 'strong bitterness'."
}