What premium grade means
Premium grade is another unregulated retail term, generally used for matcha that drinks well as usucha but is not reserved for koicha. In practice it usually means a later first-harvest or early second-harvest leaf with good color and moderate umami. Jade Leaf and Mizuba both note that the line between premium and ceremonial is set by the brand, not by an outside standard.
Also called
Premium grade also appears as daily grade, everyday grade.