Chlorella Content Testing
Report on Chlorella
Introduction
We wish to clarify that PHENIMAX and UNICROSS matcha products contain no chlorella.
- We do not add chlorella.
- We do not add chlorella or other algae ingredients to make our matcha appear a deeper green.
Our matcha is made from leaves harvested from tea plants. We value matcha’s natural aroma, umami, and color, and we produce it without adding any ingredients other than tea leaves.
To substantiate this, we accurately label our ingredients and conduct testing through independent laboratories.
How to Check for Chlorella at Home
Many companies do not publish chlorella test results. Companies that mix chlorella into their products, in particular, may be reluctant to disclose this information.
So how can you tell?
Below, we introduce some simple checks you can perform at home. However, these are only informal observations. Matcha is a natural food, and its appearance varies depending on the tea cultivar, production method, particle size, and storage conditions. Home observations alone cannot conclusively determine whether chlorella is present. Confirmation requires testing by an independent laboratory.
Four Ways to Check
1. Examine It Under a Microscope
Mix a small amount of matcha with water and examine it under a microscope.
Possible signs of chlorella: Many small, round, green particles are visible.
Possible signs of 100% tea leaves: Instead of round particles, you can see jagged fragments of leaf tissue and irregular fibers.
What to look for:
- Many round, green particles → Chlorella is more likely to be present.
- Jagged tissue and fibers → The sample is more likely to consist entirely of tea leaves.
2. Boil It for Five Minutes
Mix matcha with water and boil it for five minutes.
Possible signs of chlorella: A strong, vivid green color remains after boiling.
Possible signs of 100% tea leaves: The green color fades, shifting toward yellow-green, yellowish-brown, or brown.
What to look for:
- A vivid green color remains after boiling → Chlorella is more likely to be present.
- The green fades and turns yellowish-brown or brown → The sample is more likely to consist entirely of tea leaves.
3. Mix It with Water and Let It Stand for 30 Minutes
Mix matcha with water, pour it into a transparent container such as a test tube, and leave it undisturbed for 30 minutes.
Possible signs of chlorella: The mixture remains vividly green throughout after 30 minutes.
Possible signs of 100% tea leaves: The powdered tea leaves settle at the bottom, forming sediment. The liquid above becomes lighter in color.
What to look for:
- The mixture remains green throughout after 30 minutes → Chlorella is more likely to be present.
- Sediment forms at the bottom and the liquid above becomes lighter → The sample is more likely to consist entirely of tea leaves.
4. Leave It on Paper for 48 Hours
Spread a small amount of matcha on white paper and leave it for 48 hours.
Possible signs of chlorella: A vivid green color remains even after 48 hours.
Possible signs of 100% tea leaves: The green fades, shifting toward yellow-green, yellowish-brown, or brown.
What to look for:
- A vivid green color remains after 48 hours → Chlorella is more likely to be present.
- The green becomes dull and shifts toward yellow-green or brown → The sample is more likely to consist entirely of tea leaves.
Home Observations Are for Reference Only
The methods introduced here are simple observations for comparing matcha samples. For a formal determination, we recommend keeping the actual product, purchase date, seller information, lot number, and photographs, and having the product tested by an independent laboratory.
About Matcha’s Color
Chemical Fertilizers Can Also Produce a Deep Green Color
Chemical fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, urea, ammonium nitrate, and calcium nitrate are used to enhance the green color of tea leaves.
However, excessive application has been linked to soil contamination, increased environmental impact, and water pollution. Direct inhalation of dust during fertilizer application is also said to pose a risk of respiratory conditions, including pneumoconiosis and occupational asthma.
Note: Tea leaves are processed after harvesting without being washed.
A Deeper Color Does Not Mean Higher Quality
Three hundred years ago, premium tea had a pale yellow-green color, almost like plain hot water. As chemical fertilizers became more widely developed, more people began seeking a deep, vivid green color.
Marishi Fuji tea, which received a Grand Gold Medal at the 2026 World Green Tea Contest, has precisely this pale yellow-green color. It is made using a traditional hand-rolling technique with a 300-year history that has been designated an intangible cultural property of Japan.
A lighter color does not mean lower quality. It reflects the beauty of traditional tea, which values the natural aroma, umami, and sweetness of tea leaves. The same applies to matcha.
Organic matcha does not achieve the same deep green color as matcha grown using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, PHENIMAX seeks Japanese tea that honors the origins of tea, rather than tea produced through chemical means. We value the natural aroma and flavor of tea leaves and do not pursue an intensely green color for its own sake.
PHENIMAX and UniCross Matcha Is Organic
PHENIMAX and UniCross offer organic matcha. In addition to being organic, our matcha is produced with rigorous soil management.
This is because roots absorb nutrients from the soil. If that soil is contaminated, they can absorb heavy metals as well as nutrients.
We Also Conduct Heavy Metal Testing
PHENIMAX and UniCross also conduct heavy metal testing to verify the quality of our matcha.