Best Matcha Powder From Japanese View 2025!
In recent years, matcha has become a staple on the menus of almost every coffee shop, with even the most well-known chains serving several different varieties. There are many reasons to enjoy Japanese green tea, including its powerful yet smooth flavor and numerous health advantages. In addition to being rich in antioxidants, matcha releases caffeine more gradually and subtly than coffee. Furthermore, it is a naturally adaptable ingredient that can be used in baked goods, frothy lattes, traditional preparations, and more.
There are many matcha brands, and you might feel confused when choosing matcha powder. Hear me out: I selected varieties of the best matcha from a Japanese perspective. This will help you make the best decision. Before that, we are going to look at things to consider before purchasing matcha.
What Should You Look for When Purchasing Matcha?
Seek Out A Vivid Green Color
One of the easiest ways to recognize high-quality matcha is to look at its color. A good matcha should be vivid and bright green. This suggests that the tea leaves received enough shade before being harvested, which increases chlorophyll synthesis and enhances color.
If the matcha you are looking at is dead, has a yellow tint, or is not brownish at all, the leaves were either poorly shaded or of lower quality. In other words, the green gets brighter the better the matcha. High-quality matcha will always be emerald green and rich.
Check For A Fresh, Grassy Scent
Premium matcha has a fresh, grassy, and faintly sweet scent. Take in the powder's aroma. If the matcha smells a little odd, musty, or lacks that crisp, green tea scent, it's probably better than the other matcha you could buy.
On the other hand, if it smells clean, earthy, and fresh, you're on the right track. It should smell like fresh-cut grass or a field of green leaves, which are typical of springtime.
Experience The Smooth, Fine Texture
Another way to judge the quality of matcha is by its texture. The texture of matcha powder should be similar to that of baby powder. Why does this texture feel so silky? It is ground into a silky, extremely fine powder in traditional stone mills. Because finer matcha dissolves more easily in water, your tea will be creamier and frothier.
If the matcha feels gritty or grainy, it's probably not the best. Premium matcha should have a velvety, smooth consistency and nearly dissolve in the water after being properly sieved.
Grade: Culinary Matcha vs. Ceremonial Matcha
Ceremonial matcha tea is made from the plant's first harvest of the spring season, which is usually around May and has been shaded from excessive sunlight for the majority of the growing period. This is the best time to capture matcha's balanced flavor and nutrients, and because the leaves are young, they have more chlorophyll and are the most vibrant color.
After harvest, the leaves are finely milled and the stems are removed, resulting in a powder that is ideal for silky-smooth lattes, lemonade, smoothies, and other beverages.
A second, later tea harvest will result in culinary matcha, which has a slightly bitter flavor and coarser texture.
These leaves have been exposed to more sunlight, so their flavor is more astringent. They are also ground faster than ceremonial matcha leaves, resulting in a slightly more granular powder that is earthy and bitter. This grade is typically blended with milk and sweeteners to help balance and round out the flavor. As a result, it is most commonly used in baking.
Source Area
In the same way that terroir is important for many foods, such as specialty coffee beans, the region in which the green tea leaves are grown affects their flavor, consistency, and color. Cool, high-elevation areas where fog or clouds provide the shade these plants require are ideal for growing premium matcha. Low temperatures also improve flavor and nutrient density, especially at night. Another crucial element is the soil. High aeration and a lower pH in the soil enhance the quality of the tea leaves.
The best matcha is produced in specific regions of Japan, particularly in Uji, Kyoto, and Nishio. These areas have a long history of producing high-quality tea and the ideal climate for matcha cultivation.
Matcha grown in these regions is usually of higher quality due to the skill and attention to detail in cultivation and processing. If your matcha is from one of these locations, it's most likely a good choice.
Review: Different Types of Best Matcha Powder From Japanese View!
Best Matcha Powder Overall - Kyoto Geisha Matcha - "Ceremonial" Matcha
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Taste: Well-balanced flavor with umami
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $24.99
Other note: Kyoto Geisha Matcha's "Ceremonial" is the best option for those looking to drink organic matcha on a regular basis. This matcha is best used for making lattes and tea.
Most often, this matcha is combined with the "Yabukita" cultivar, which is widely grown in Japan. It is made with hand-picked organic tea leaves from the first harvests in Kyoto and Kagoshima.
This matcha's well-balanced flavor and sophisticated aroma bring comfort and relaxation to your daily matcha moments. It is recommended for those who want to experience matcha's sweetness and umami.
Best Value Matcha Powder - Ippodo Premium Organic Matcha
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Taste: Undertones of sweetness and umami balance out the pleasant bitterness and astringency.
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Size: 0.7 oz/20g
Price: $40
Other note: Ippodo, a Kyoto-based tea company that has set the tea industry standard since 1717, makes some of the best matcha. Ummon matcha has a vibrant scent, a stunning emerald green color, and a rich umami flavor.
It is naturally sweet, so I prefer to drink it as a tea with water rather than with milk. When vigorously whisked, it foams quickly and sifts easily, leaving no clumps behind and resulting in a smooth texture.
This one has a short shelf life—Ippodo recommends eating it within a month of opening—and it is packaged fresh in Japan. We recommend choosing the smaller container to ensure you can use it all while it is still fresh—especially since it is more expensive.
Best Price Matcha Powder - Ito En Matcha Green Tea Japanese Matcha Powder
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Taste: -
Grade: -
Origin: Japan
Size: 2 oz/56g
Price: $11.99
Other note: ITO EN was founded in Japan in 1966 and expanded to North America in 2001, launching its green tea product line in the United States. They own the world's leading green tea mega-brand, as well as Japan's largest tea company.
This matcha is perfect for making matcha lattes, and smoothies.
Best Matcha Powder for Beginner - Naoki Matcha
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Taste: Balanced and slightly, and a bit on the sweeter side.
Grade: Ceremonial
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Size: 40g /1.4oz
Price: $25
Other note: The flavor of Naoki ceremonial grade matcha is smooth and mild, with minimal bitterness. It's also a good option for lattes and can be made with more water to make "thin matcha tea," as the company recommends. It is grown in the renowned matcha region of Uji, Japan, and is made from leaves from the first harvest, which are valued for their high quality and potent flavor.
This was one of our nutrition experts' top picks because of its well-rounded flavor profile. The company asserts that the Japanese government also conducts independent purity tests and that each tea crop is inspected for a "different source of contamination (including radiation and heavy metals)".
The Most Flavorful Matcha Powder - Blue Bottle Coffee Craft Matcha
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Taste: Verdant, Smooth, Vibrant
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Size: 1.06 oz/30g
Price: $30
Other note: Blue Bottle Coffee brings ceremonial-grade Craft Matcha from Uji, Japan. The Kyoto team traveled through Japan's mountains in search of matcha that embodies the quality and flavor they expect from our coffee. They select tender tea leaves from our producer's first harvest of tencha, or shade-grown matcha plants, and stone-mill them to prevent heat damage.
Best High-Quality Matcha Powder - Kyoto Geisha Matcha "Super Ceremonial" Matcha
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Taste: Rich umami and mellow sweetness
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Size: Tin - 1.06 oz/30g / Pouch - 3.53 oz/100g
Price: Tin - $31.99 / Pouch - $52.99
Other note: For those seeking the best organic matcha, "Super Ceremonial" from Kyoto Geisha Matcha is the best choice. The best way to use this matcha is to simply drink it as tea.
It uses the rare cultivar called "Gokou," which should only be grown in Kyoto. The matcha is hand-picked during the First Harvest (Ichibancha), which results in a very flavorful and complex tea that is perfect for special events.
The Most Ethical Matcha Powder - Matchaful Hikari Single Origin Ceremonial Matcha
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Taste: Gentle, flowery sweetness
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Shizuoka, Japan
Size:1.06 oz/30g
Price: $35
Other note: Matchaful was founded by Hannah Habes with the goal of importing high-quality, sustainable matcha directly from Japan. As part of its Farm-to-Whisk program, Matchaful partners with a fourth-generation farm that produces electricity for nearby towns by shading its pesticide-free tea plants with solar panels. Although this brand also offers culinary and ceremonial blends, its single-origin collection is its strongest point.
The sun-dappled estate in Shizuoka, Japan is the only source of Hikari Single Origin Matcha powder, which has a "creamy palette with tasting notes of walnut, lemon, and butter." For those who would rather try just one cultivar, the Farm-to-Whisk estate also produces Kiwami Single Cultivar Matcha, which is made from the Okumidori tea variety. It is well known for its delicate, flowery sweetness.
The Most Versatile Matcha Powder - Pure Matcha
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Taste: Smooth and mellow green tea flavors
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Origin: Uji, Japan
Size: 1.4oz / 40g
Price: $28.00
Other note: Golde's organic ceremonial-grade matcha powder is a great base for a hot or cold morning latte and mixes well with any type of milk. It's a great addition to breakfast foods like yogurt or chia pudding because it doesn't have a strong flavor.
It also makes for a smooth drink because the matcha froths up nicely. Like all of Golde's superfood products, the matcha comes in a bright green canister that looks good enough to display on your counter.
Best Matcha Powder for Lattes - Jade Leaf Matcha Organic Café Style Sweetened Matcha Latte Premium Barista Crafted Mix
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Taste: Lightly sweetened and smooth
Grade: Proprietary Blend of Ceremonial and Culinary Matcha
Ingredient: Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder, Organic Unrefined Cane Sugar
Origin: Kagoshima & Uji, Japan
Size: 5.3 oz/150g
Price: $9.95
Other note: Jade Leaf Matcha is produced by the Kizuna Tea Collective, a thriving network of family-run tea farms spread across Japan. They've been supplying premium matcha to Japan's domestic market since 1858. They buy matcha directly from family-owned partner farms. Their tea masters use both traditional and modern techniques to produce flavorful and nutrient-dense leaves.
This barista-made latte mix is less expensive than your favorite cafe and has a delicious flavor balanced with just the right amount of sweetness!
Best Matcha Powder for Baking - Navitas Matcha Powder
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Taste: -
Grade: Premium Culinary Grade
Origin: Shizuoka, Japan
Size: 3 oz/85g
Price: $22.99
Other note: Navitas Organics Matcha Powder is made with 100% organic, finely ground matcha green tea from Japan's Shizuoka region. It is derived from farm-direct relationships that provide farmers with income stability, a higher quality of life, and environmental protection. With nothing added, it's premium quality matcha—pure and simple.
FAQ
Is it suitable to buy a different matcha for baking versus drinking?
Although only high-quality matcha powders suitable for drinking and baking are listed above, it may be worthwhile to purchase a second culinary-grade matcha powder if you intend to use it frequently in your baking. Because culinary-grade matcha is made from more mature leaves picked later in the growing season, it has a simpler flavor profile and a hint of bitterness.
However, because this grade of matcha is typically less expensive, there is less hesitation in using it in recipes that require large quantities.
While ceremonial matcha may have a stronger flavor, culinary-grade matcha's potent "matcha" flavor shines through in baked goods, where any potential bitterness is often overshadowed by the dessert's sweetness or other flavors.
How can I make the best matcha?
There are several methods for making matcha. Matcha can be scooped straight into a blender and added to a smoothie, shake, or other blended beverage. When using matcha powder in baking, mix it in with the dry ingredients.
The matcha needs to be whisked for matcha drinks. I found the traditional bamboo matcha whisk useful, but you can also use a handheld milk frother to mix the powder into milk or water. To use the bamboo whisk, strain your matcha powder into a bowl using a fine-mesh sieve, then add your hot water.
For 20 seconds, vigorously whisk in a Z-shape until the powder is thoroughly mixed in and the mixture is foaming. Lastly, you can drink it plain or with ice, milk, or sweeteners.
Written by Admin Irasshai
