It's HARD to find real ceremonial grade matcha. Most of what's available on the net is really culinary grade, masking as something else to people who really don't know the difference. It is emphatically not the same as "Japanese green tea," which is likely just sencha, ie leaves that are steeped and then discarded. Match leaves, which are very finely ground to the consistency of corn starch, are consumed in toto.

I hope to become the definitive source for the highest grade matcha on earth very soon. I've sourced the tea, that's all settled. It's only the packaging that's holding things up. So sorry for the delay!

Also, if you have relatives from Japan or work at a Japanese company, it's pretty easy to get really good matcha. Someone is always coming back from a trip to Japan, maybe you should work those connections?

I know it's a big trek for you but Mitsuwa here in the South Bay (http://www.mitsuwa.com/tenpo/sanj/eindex.html) has a slightly better selection of everything compared to Nijiya stores, they even have a mini "Foodshow" of snacks as you walk in. Maybe they might have some different matcha for you to try?

Oh and congrats on the cute kid!

you know what else goes great with matcha??? CHOCOLATE!!! i recently mixed some matcha with my homemade hot chocolate mix this morning and it was like drinking an expensive truffle. an absolute must try!