It's the first thing everyone does: twist open the tin, look at the powder, and judge. "Oh, that's a nice green." Or worse, "Hmm, that looks a bit dull." Color is the matcha equivalent of a car's paint job—it's what you see first, but it tells you less than you think.

If you're shopping for a gift in Texas, you've probably got a few brands in your cart. You're not alone in fixating on the green. But here's the thing: color matters, but it's not the whole story.

Bright green does signal that the leaves were shade-grown, which boosts chlorophyll production. That's a good sign. But it doesn't tell you if the powder tastes grassy, sweet, or bitter. It doesn't tell you if it was harvested this spring or three years ago. And it definitely doesn't tell you if it was grown in a field that was sprayed with pesticides.

So yes, use color as a quick visual cue. But don't let it be the only thing you check.