15 Best Matcha Powder (2024) – With Tests & Expert Reviews

We analyzed all the top brands focusing on color, taste profile, grind, and more and we decided to publish the most in depth guide about the best matcha powders available today.

I still remember the first time that I tried matcha. I like to call it my Matcha Moment. That is when I discovered the endless energy and mental clarity associated with these powdered green tea leaves.

There is only one way to find the best matcha powders and that is to try each one of them.

This was our favorite part!

Below we will review each brand of matcha and rate them on several different criteria in order to determine the best brand of matcha powder.

We reviewed all of these brands of matcha at the same time so that we could make comparisons between them and find the overall best matcha powder.

The most important comparisons that we were looking for were:

Color - When selecting the best matcha tea, we are looking for a bright, vibrant spring green. This tells us that the matcha was made from the best leaves on the tea plant.

Taste - The best matcha green tea has a very pleasant, slightly grassy, green tea flavor. It is not bitter or offensive in any way.

To keep the matcha reviews fair, all of the brands that we reviewed shared the following characteristics:

Organic - All of the matcha tea powders that we reviewed were certified organic.

Ceremonial Grade - All of the Japanese green tea powder we reviewed is ceremonial grade. Culinary grade matcha powder often taste bitter, has a more earthy flavor, but it is designed for cooking and baked goods.

Here is how we conducted the matcha reviews:

We opened a new package of each of the different brands of matcha tea powders. We then put the matcha on a white sheet of paper, so that we could compare the color. We then used the traditional method of preparing matcha tea, with a bamboo whisk, in a bowl and taste tested the powdered green tea all at the same time so that we could identify the differences.

14 Best Matcha Powder Brands with Reviews 2022

Each of these brands of matcha powder were rated on a scale of 1 -5 for taste and color and grind. The grind should be extremely fine.

At the end of each summary you will find a link to each full matcha review.

What is Matcha Green Tea Powder?

Matcha has quite a history that most people are unaware of. In fact, many individuals who are familiar with green tea, have yet to be enlightened to the facts surrounding the centuries old marvel of matcha.

Dating all the way back to 7th century China, matcha was produced for use in tea ceremonies, and eventually was used in Japanese tea ceremonies during the 12th century. [1]

Present day matcha is still used in traditional ceremonies; however, its uses have vastly expanded into other areas. For instance, a different grade of matcha, typically known as, “Food Grade Matcha”, is used as a dye in various foods and confections. Another grade, referred to as "culinary grade powder," is specifically suited for baking and cooking purposes, offering a versatile option for culinary enthusiasts.

What makes matcha special lies in the method in which it is cultivated. Weeks before green tea plants are set to harvest, growers cover the plants so that the remainder of the growth cycle takes place in the shade. By preventing the direct sunlight from reaching the tea leaves, the growth slows and an increase in the production of chlorophyll begins. This in turn gives the tea leaves a deep green color and increases the amount of amino acids found in the leaves. Only the youngest leaf buds are picked, then dried, and ground into a fine powder, retaining all of their nutrient goodness. The final result being matcha green tea powder.

Matcha has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants found in any food source!

That is one of the many matcha benefits of this amazing superfood.

There are a few ways to make matcha green tea.

1. The traditional way with a bowl and bamboo whisk.
   
2. An innovative way with a milk frother.
   
3.  Use the latest and greatest technology to freshly grind organic matcha leaf and make matcha with the Cuzen Matcha Machine. You can see it in action in our Cuzen Matcha Maker Review.
   

You can get a matcha set with bowl or a milk frother from Amazon.

Where Does the Best Matcha Powder Come From?

Currently, the best matcha powder is mainly grown and produced in Japan. Specifically in the following Japanese areas, Uji, Nishio, Shizuoka, and Kyushu. Nishio and Uji are responsible for about 80% of the matcha grown in modern day Japan. [2]

The aforementioned areas are located in southern Japan, this region is said to have the best weather and soil conditions for growing the best quality matcha. Matcha is also produced in China and Taiwan; however, most matcha enthusiasts say the highest quality premium matcha powder originates in Japan.

What is the Best Quality Matcha Powder?

Matcha is typically graded according to where the leaves are located on the tea plant and by color. The grades of matcha are typically narrowed down to 2 distinct categories: ceremonial grade matcha and food/culinary grade.

What is Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

As mentioned above, matcha was, and still is today, used in traditional tea ceremonies. These ceremonies require only the highest quality matcha powder available. [3]

Ceremonial grade matcha is made by grinding the youngest leaf buds on the green tea plant- the younger the leaves, the better the matcha.

Ceremonial grade matcha is also grown with a strict and precise technique of shade growing. Using older green tea leaves equates to a lower grade matcha. The use of the youngest green tea leaves is one of the factors that gives matcha it's vibrant green color. Additionally, the shade growing process increases the chlorophyll content in the green tea plant, which is also responsible for creating the rich green tones in matcha.

Culinary Grade Matcha

Food or culinary grade matcha, also known as culinary grade powder, is typically made from slightly older leaves on the green tea plant. This grade of matcha is not only used for drinking but is especially suited for baking and cooking due to its robust flavor. The culinary grade powder's slightly bitter taste, complemented by notes of sweetness, makes it ideal for confections such as cookies, cakes, and other treats.

It is even popular in matcha latte and cupcakes. Despite being less expensive than ceremonial grade matcha, culinary grade matcha must still meet certain standards, such as having a bright green color and fine, powdery texture, in addition to a somewhat pleasant taste. Some people opt for culinary grade matcha for their culinary creations or simply because they prefer its taste and/or it fits their budget better than ceremonial matcha powder.

Should You Buy Organic Matcha Powder?

With so much emphasis on organic products today, we thought that we should only buy organic matcha, but after speaking with some industry experts, here's what we found.

The Japanese Agricultural Standard, or JAS, certifies organic foods in Japan. The JAS will only certify matcha to be organic if it was grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or manufactured fertilizer. [4]

Fortunately, there are natural ways to keep pests at bay, and natural fertilizer can be used, such as compost made with organic materials. These 2 differing cultivation methods can cause a differing taste in the end result.

It is said that conventional matcha, or non organic matcha, has a more full bodied flavor, and that organic matcha has a lighter taste. Although, each matcha harvest can vary in flavor and body.

The main deciding factor is a taste preference, as well as the preference to consume organically grown foods or beverages.

The good news is that even if you cannot find organic matcha, or afford the extra cost that sometimes comes with it, you can count on the fact that matcha from Japan will contain far less pesticides than matcha grown in other areas. Japan has immensely strict agricultural policies, even more so than the United States.

What this means is Japan has a very low limit of allowed pesticides and herbicides. In fact, the pesticide content difference between organic and non organic matcha, produced in Japan, is fairly minute.

So you will have to decide for yourself if the extra cost associated with organic matcha is worth the expense. Personally, I like the peace of mind of knowing that I am not ingesting pesticides and I will continue to use organic matcha.

Matcha Caffeine Content

You wouldn't believe the number of emails that I get regarding matcha caffeine content, so I thought I would address that subject here in the Ultimate Guide to Matcha Powder.

The amount of caffeine in matcha green tea can vary, depending on where it was grown and produced. On average, a cup of matcha contains around 70 milligrams of caffeine, while a cup of regular steeped green tea has about 31.8 milligrams of caffeine.

A cup of matcha has about half the amount of caffeine in a cup of regular coffee, but that doesn't mean coffee is going to better provide that energy boost that most people are after. The caffeine content in matcha does contribute to the alert feeling one gets from drinking it; however, matcha (and regular green tea) have components, such as amino acids like L-theanine, that help regulate the body's absorption of caffeine. [5]

After drinking coffee, the average person usually feels very alert at first, but then comes the inevitable crash. This isn't the case with matcha because the caffeine is evenly absorbed by the body over a much longer period of time. One cup of matcha green tea can provide a calm feeling of alert energy for several hours, for some individuals, up to 7 hours. Matcha is also known to be one of the best low-calorie drink options, as it only contains 8-12 calories per serving of matcha powder!

Coffee often makes people feel jittery and nervous, and then very tired and sluggish after it wears off, this is not the case with matcha, making it very appealing to those who want a boost of energy, without the jitters. Additionally, coffee has been known to cause high levels of adrenaline and glucose, as well as increasing insulin levels. We don't see these side effects with the caffeine in matcha green tea. 

Where to Store Matcha Powder?

Matcha should be stored in a cool, dark place. The important thing to remember is to keep your matcha away from light, heat and especially moisture. I have seen some websites recommend storing your matcha in the refrigerator, but I don't recommend this. Putting a metal container into a cold refrigerator can cause condensation and the last thing you want is moisture in your matcha.

I also make sure that I consume my matcha powder within one month of opening. I always use ceremonial grade matcha, which comes in small metal tins, so it is easy to consume it all within one month.

Does Matcha Powder Expire?

Yes, matcha powder does have a shelf life, and it can expire. The quality and flavor of matcha can deteriorate over time, especially if it is not stored properly. 

To ensure the freshness and quality of your matcha powder, it's important to store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Additionally, sealing the container tightly after each use can help prevent exposure to air, which can contribute to oxidation. Most of your high quality matcha powders will have a "best before" date, to give you a good indication of how long it takes for your matcha to expire.

In most cases if you notice changes in color, aroma, and taste, there is a high likelihood that your matcha powder has reached its expiration.

How Much Does the Best Matcha Powder Cost?

Premium matcha powder is expensive, but I think you will find that it is well worth it. What is expensive?

The best ceremonial grade matcha powders typically cost between $25 and $50 per ounce. Yes, that is expensive, and you get what you pay for. I have tried less expensive matcha and I have never found any that is nearly as good as the expensive stuff.

Where is the Best Place to Buy Matcha Powder?

The best place to buy matcha powder is Amazon.com and I'll explain why.

Amazon is the world's largest retailer. They are responsible for the products that they sell and they don't want to associate with products that don't live up to their claims. There are websites out there that are "sources" of matcha tea on the internet. They put their own label on the matcha packaging and you have no idea what you are actually getting. You don't want to buy matcha from those "sources".

Also, Amazon has thousands of verified reviews from people who have actually tried the different brands of matcha that they sell. It is as easy as picking a brand that has a lot of good reviews.

For more information on the best place to buy matcha visit Where to Buy Matcha Green Tea Powder.