Best Sweetened Matcha Powder

One of the reasons that matcha tea gained huge popularity is not only because it has a range of benefits - but it has enough caffeine to give you some pep, but without the jitters. Matcha tea is the vibrant green elixir that whispers centuries of tradition and delivers a mindful, energizing symphony of earthy, umami, and sweet notes with every sip, but not everyone loves matcha without a little bit of sweetness…

While there are a few ways that you can sweeten regular matcha powder, like adding some honey or agave syrup, for an easier way, sweetened matcha powders can be an easier route. There are many different types of matcha tea powders, sweetened matcha tea, and latte powders on the market. With all the choices, knowing what makes a good sweetened matcha tea can be difficult. To help you find the best matcha powder for your needs, whether it's for lattes, baking, or overall quality, we provide detailed descriptions and recommendations based on flavor, usage, and value.

Why choose a sweet matcha tea powder? 

Sweetened matcha tea powder has all of the goodness from regular matcha but is sweetened in a way that makes matcha more appealing to “matcha beginner’s” or those who prefer a sweetened beverage. When reviewing and comparing different brands, you can find the best organic matcha powder by evaluating aspects such as taste, texture, price, packaging, certifications, origin, and intended use. Some brands use pure cane sugar, while others use natural sweeteners and fruit flavorings, or you may choose a style blend that may have milk powders.

Matcha tea powder has a naturally grassy, earthy taste, typically with a mild bitter edge. For those who have a sweet tooth and want to enjoy the health benefits of matcha tea, a sweetened version is perfect.

What are the best sweetened matcha teas?

We are experts at everything matcha, and we tried all of the top sweet matcha brands so you don’t have to. Here are five highly recommended and delicious sweetened matcha tea powder options:

• Tenzo Sweetened Matcha 
• Jade Leaf Cafe Style Sweetened Matcha Latte 
• Rishi Tea Sweet Matcha
• Matcha Love Sweetened Green Tea Powder
• Itoen Sweet Matcha Green Tea Powder

Let’s take a look at the best three: 

Tenzo Sweetened Matcha

The unique selling point for Tenzo Sweetened Matcha is they use Maddie’s Sweetener. Maddie’s Sweetener is in keeping with the Tenzo ethos for health and combines organic coconut nectar, stevia leaf extract, and organic monk fruit extract. So, it is far from your average sweetener.

In total, there is just 1 gram of sugar per cup, and they have taken care to make sure that their sweetener is just the right balance. Tenzo Farm Direct Matcha Green Tea Powder comes from the Kagoshima region in Japan.

Jade Leaf Cafe Style Sweetened Matcha Latte 

This 1005 USDA organic, naturally vegan, and gluten-free natural sweetened matcha is highly recommended. The cafe-style latte powder is lightly sweetened, and there is the sweetened version with collagen. 

The Jade Leaf sweetened matcha latte is sweetened with organic, unrefined cane sugar - meaning it has the sweetness without flavor masking. Originating from Uji in Japan and Kagoshima, the Jade Leaf Macha tea powder comes from the finest tea regions. 

A farm-direct matcha option that has a combination of the fresh light flavor from Kagoshima and the earthy richness from the Uji. 

This sweetened matcha latte has full five-star ratings on their website and plenty of ‘best matcha lattes’ comments. 

Rishi Tea Sweet Matcha

Rishi Sweet Matcha is an ultra-fine, authentically stone-milled Japanese matcha tea powder that is blended with pure cane sugar. Rishi Tea Sweet Matcha comes from the Shizuoka region in Japan and works in cold or hot drinks. We loved how pleasantly sweet and light this powder is when compared to their Barista Blend. This particular option is pricey however it comes in a 2.2 pounds bag (250 servings), and is well worth it!

How do you choose the best sweet matcha tea powders?

Before you can enjoy a perfect cup of matcha tea, it is important that you know how you can spot the great from the good. When evaluating and comparing different culinary grade matcha powders, consider their color vibrancy, aroma, texture, flavor, overall quality, and cost. Great matcha powder will have these characteristics:

Location

The origin of your matcha tea matters a lot. When choosing an organic matcha powder, consider reviewing and recommending different brands based on their taste, price, origin, and usage for various purposes such as cooking, iced matcha, and matcha lattes. Japanese matcha is known to be the best due to the growing conditions and how it is ground. Look for matcha that comes from Aichi, Nishio, Uji, Kyoto, or Kagoshima.

Grind 

High-quality sweetened matcha tea powder will be ultra-fine, almost like dust. Culinary grade matcha powder, which is suitable for baking purposes, has a strong taste and bold flavor that can shine through other ingredients. The finer the powder, the better the matcha will blend into the water and the smoother the drink will be. Rough, chunky, or gritter texture teas are low quality, and a lot of this comes down to the technique used in the grinding process.

Price

Matcha leaves are carefully grown and handpicked, have their veins removed, and are stone-ground into the finest powder. Everyday matcha offers an affordable option suitable for daily use, providing a bold flavor without being overly bitter. All of that comes with a price. Low-cost matcha hasn’t had the time or care of a good brand.

Color

Matcha leaves are grown in the shade, which gives them a rich, vibrant green color. There are differences between ceremonial and culinary matcha, with culinary matcha being more affordable and intended for use in smoothies, tea lattes, and baking. The powder is a reflection of the quality of the plant and the methods used during the growing, harvesting, and preparation process.

Taste & Scent

A regular matcha tea powder will be grassy in taste and smell fresh. Powdered green tea, known as matcha, is celebrated for its high antioxidant content. With a sweetened matcha tea powder, you will get a little hint of sweetness that doesn’t overpower the flavor of the matcha.

Sweetener 

Depending on the amount of sweetness and flavor you are looking for, there are several options. For a latte style, milk powder will be added - and it gives it a creamy sweetness. Sugar is added for sweetness with no added flavor or natural organic sweeteners like stevia. 

How do you make a sweet matcha?

• Sift or put 2 tsp of Tenzo sweetened matcha into a cup
• Pour in 2 oz of hot water (not boiling)
• Whisk the powder in using a bamboo whisk or a small frother until frothy. 

Your sweetened matcha tea powder will already have the sweetness, so you don’t need to add anything else. For regular matcha tea powder, add your chosen sweetener before mixing it so that it is well combined. 

Sweetened Matcha Key takeaways:

1. Why Choose Sweetened Matcha Tea: 
   • Sweetened matcha offers the benefits of regular matcha with added sweetness.

2. Selecting Sweetened Matcha Tea Powders: 
   • When choosing sweetened matcha, consider location, texture, price, color, taste, and scent.
   • Look for matcha from high-quality regions in Japan for the best quality.
   • High-quality sweetened matcha should have an ultra-fine texture.
   • Quality matcha may cost more due to meticulous cultivation and processing.
   • Look for a vibrant green color and a fresh, grassy taste in good matcha.

3. Sweetener Options: 
   • Sweetened matcha may use organic cane sugar, milk powder, or natural sweeteners like stevia.

4. Recommended Sweetened Matcha Tea Powders: 
   • Top choices include Jade Leaf Cafe Style Sweetened Matcha Latte, Tenzo Sweetened Matcha, and Rishi Tea Sweet Matcha.
   • Jade Leaf's sweetened matcha is USDA organic, sourced from Uji and Kagoshima, Japan.
   • Tenzo uses a unique sweetener blend with low sugar content from Kagoshima, Japan.
   • Rishi Tea offers ultra-fine Japanese matcha blended with cane sugar.

5. How to Prepare Sweetened Matcha: 
   • Sift or add 2 tsp of sweetened matcha to a cup.
   • Pour in 2 oz of hot, not boiling water.
   • Whisk until frothy; no need for additional sweeteners.

Sweetened Matcha FAQ's

What are the benefits of using sweetened matcha powder?

Sweetened matcha powders offer a convenient and delicious way to enjoy matcha without needing to add extra sweeteners. They provide the same health benefits as regular matcha, including high antioxidant content and increased energy, but with an added touch of sweetness that can make the flavor more appealing, especially for those new to matcha.

How do I choose the best sweetened matcha powder?

When choosing the best sweetened matcha powder, look for high-quality, organic matcha that is free from artificial additives and preservatives. Check the ingredient list to ensure the sweetener used is natural, such as cane sugar or coconut sugar, rather than artificial sweeteners. Reading customer reviews and checking the origin of the matcha (preferably from Japan) can also help in making an informed decision.

Can sweetened matcha powder be used in recipes other than tea?

Absolutely! Sweetened matcha powder is versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes, including smoothies, lattes, baked goods, and even desserts like matcha ice cream or matcha-flavored cakes. Its pre-sweetened nature makes it easy to incorporate into recipes without needing to adjust the amount of sugar separately.