Ito En North America Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., the premier leading green tea company announced the award of their new Matcha Love Culinary Matcha as "Best New Product-Tea as an Ingredient" at the World Tea Expo 2015, the leading tradeshow and conference focused 100-percent on premium tea and related products held in Long Beach, California, May 6-8.

"We are greatly honored with this award as we invite more aspiring cooks to explore the purity and vitality of the entire green tea leaf," said Rona Tison, senior vice president of corporate relations, in a statement. "The fresh balance of sweetness and herbaceous grassiness is a taste profile and sensation like no other."

Fast becoming a popular ingredient for its rich umami taste and antioxidant rich benefits, Matcha Love’s Culinary Matcha is the new must-have ingredient for the modern pantry, the company says. The finely milled green tea powder, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, is made from premium quality whole tea leaves. Today a versatile ingredient used for baking or cooking, whether for sweet or savory dishes is also a favorite in smoothies and super drinks, it adds. Celebrated for its powerful EGCG tea antioxidants and Vitamin C, matcha is considered and natural energy boost with a "calm alertness.”

Rich in L-Theanine, the amino acid necessary to create what scientists and renowned chefs refer to as umami synergy, which means matcha generates new layers of amplified flavors with a sweet lingering taste sensation, the company says. Bold and rich in flavor with an herbaceous finish, a little matcha goes along way, it says.

The new Culinary Matcha joins the Matcha Love’s line of ceremonial matcha powder, teabags and convenient on-the-go "no fuss" Matcha drinks, available in unsweetened and sweetened varieties. Taking a modern take on an ancient ritual, the innovative Matcha Love line is making its way into the urban lifestyle for its fresh authentic taste and restorative powers, the company says.

Matcha Love is available in specialty food stores, natural and mainstream markets nationwide. For more information please visit www.matchalove.com or itoen.com.