9 Best Matcha Powders of 2023

Photo: asmallworld.com

Even though it’s made using the same tea leaves as with green tea, matcha powder has very many health benefits, which makes it ideal for healthy living. This powder is very popular in Japan, but its history can be traced back to China, where it currently is not as popular.

History aside and if you want some good quality of this green powder, we have compiled a list of the best matcha powders that you should consider buying.

Matcha Powder vs. Green Tea

All in all, matcha powder usually contains 137 times more antioxidants than green tea. Therefore, if you are looking for something to relax your body, calm your mind and increase your body’s energy, matcha powder is your best bet.

9 Best Matcha Powders – Review 

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. Jade Leaf Matcha Green Tea Powder (Affordable)	Affordable 100% USDA organic Ideal for smoothies, lattes, baking, and cooking recipes Comes with a matcha recipe guide
	2. Encha Organic Matcha Powder (High-Quality)	High-quality ceremonial grade Creates a smooth, clean and refreshing grassy taste Easy to prepare Packed in a thick, resealable, airtight pouch
	3. Matcha Konomi Akira Matcha Powder (Best Ceremonial Grade)	High-quality ceremonial grade 100% organic. USDA and JAS certified Radiation free Available in 1, 3.5- and 16-pound containers
	4. Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder (Best for Smoothies)	Culinary grade; ideal for smoothies, lattes, and baking Contains up to 137 times the EGCG content in brewed green tea 100% organic Ceremonial grade option available
	5. Matchaccino Starter Matcha Green Tea Powder (Best from Chinese)	100% USDA organic Boosts the immune system, improves skin health and lowers stress Ideal for baking, smoothies, and lattes Available in 12 and 140.8-ounce packages
	6. Republic of Tea Matcha Powder (Gluten-Free)	Healthy gluten-free formulation Sugar-free, non-GMO and Kosher certified Available in different flavors Smooth vegetal sweetness
	7. Midori Spring Organic Matcha (Non-GMO)	First-class ceremonial matcha powder Non-GMO and gluten-free 100% USDA organic Kosher and vegan certified
	8. Kenko Matcha Green Tea Powder (Fat Burning)	Helps to quicken fat burning for weight loss purposes 100% USDA organic Kosher certified and gluten-free for safety purposes Non-GMO and vegan-friendly
	9. Epic Matcha Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder (100% Organic)	100% USDA organic Free from sugar, GMO, dairy and soy Sweet flavor and aroma Ideal for smoothies, baking, and lattes

1. Jade Leaf Matcha Green Tea Powder – Affordable Matcha Powder

Photo: Jade Leaf Matcha

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Culinary
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

Even though matcha powder is known to be very costly, the culinary grade is not as expensive. This powder from Jade Leaf is an affordable culinary grade that is still 100% organic (USDA certified), with no additional sugars, fillers or preservatives.

Another benefit you get with this culinary grade powder is that it is ideal for smoothies, lattes, baking, and cooking recipes, thereby providing a healthy and delicious boost to your cooked and blended foods.

You actually get a matcha recipe guide with each order so as to help you get started.

On the downside, there is no ceremonial grade option to choose from for this product. On the bright side, you get 1, 3.5, 8.8- and 16-ounce packs to choose from, depending on the quantity you need.

Pros:

• Affordable
• 100% USDA organic
• Suitable for smoothies, lattes, baking and cooking recipes
• Comes with a matcha recipe guide to help you get started
• Available in different size options

Cons:

• Ceremonial grade option not available

2. Encha Organic Matcha Powder – High-Quality Matcha Powder

Photo: Encha 

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Ceremonial
• Organic: Yes

Starting us off is this product from Encha, which is the top-rated matcha powder in this review. Being ceremonial grade, the powder is very high quality because it is made from tender tea leaves that are the first harvest each spring.

This results in a smooth, clean and refreshing grassy taste, which is followed by a frothy texture, then finished off in a subtle sweet taste.

In order to enjoy it fully though, you must prepare the drink the right way. This is quite easy and all you need to do is whisk the powder vigorously with hot water at 160˚F.

On the downside, this product is available in relatively small 0.7, 1.06 and 2.12-ounce packs, but these are in thick resealable pouches, which provide tight sealing so as to protect the contents inside. There is also the option of a reusable glass jar, just to expand your options.

Also, this ceremonial type is not ideal for baking, ice cream, etc., but there are culinary and latte grade options to choose from.

Pros:

• High-quality ceremonial grade
• Creates a smooth, clean and refreshing grassy taste
• Easy to prepare
• Packed in a thick resealable pouch for keeping the powder airtight
• Culinary and latte grade options available

Cons:

• Not ideal for baking
• Small pack sizes

3. Matcha Konomi Akira Matcha Powder – Best Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder

Photo: Matcha Konomi 

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Ceremonial
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

Matcha Konomi’s Akira powder is also a high-quality ceremonial grade product and is further certified by the USDA and JAS for being 100% organic. This makes it one of the best because it is all-natural, with no sugar, preservatives or fillers.

The product is also authentic Japan matcha because it is sourced directly from Uji in Kyoto with no middlemen.

To assure you of its quality, this powder is made from carefully selected leaves from shade-grown tea (about 3 weeks in the shade). This technique increases chlorophyll and L-theanine content in the leaves, which in the end, makes the matcha powder more nutritious.

Other features include being radiation-free and coming in a 1-pound container that holds 30 servings. There are also larger 3.5 and 16-ounce packs to choose from, as well as non-organic ceremonial and organic gourmet options.

However, this product is not recommended for baking or smoothies.

Pros:

• High quality ceremonial grade
• 100% organic. USDA and JAS certified
• Radiation free
• Available in 1, 3.5- and 16-pound containers
• Non-organic ceremonial and organic gourmet options available

Cons:

• Not ideal for baking or smoothies

4. Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder – Best Matcha Powder for Smoothies

Photo: Kiss Me Organics

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Culinary
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

Kiss Me Organics’ matcha powder is also a culinary grade that is suitable for smoothies, lattes, and baking purposes.

With up to 137 times the EGCG content in brewed green tea, this product boosts your metabolism, increases focus, improves skin health and gives you energy all day, making it one of the best additions to your smoothies.

Additionally, the powder is certified 100% organic, which means it has no sugars, fillers or preservatives.

However, this product is only available in small 1- and 4-ounce resealable bags. This limits the maximum quantity that you can buy as a single pack. On the bright side, a ceremonial grade option is available to choose from.

Pros:

• Culinary grade; ideal for smoothies, lattes, and baking
• Contains up to 137 times the EGCG content in brewed green tea
• 100% organic
• Ceremonial grade option available
• Packed in resealable bags

Cons:

• Small 1- and 4-ounce packs limit the max single pack size that you can buy

5. Matchaccino Starter Matcha Green Tea Powder – Best Chinese Matcha Powder

Photo: Matchaccino

• Origin: China
• Grade: Culinary
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

Even though most people associate matcha powder with Japan, the product’s origins can be traced back to China. Though not very popular among the Chinese, it is slowly gaining track and this can be seen with products such as this one being made in China.

That said, the powder is 100% organic (USDA certified) and gives several health benefits such as boosting the immune system, improving skin health, lowering stress and burning calories.

Being a culinary grade powder, this product is designed as an ingredient to be used when cooking or baking, or in lattes, smoothies and other similar drinks.

You also get two size packaging options, which are 12 and 140.8-ounce resealable bags, but there is no ceremonial grade option to choose from.

Pros:

• 100% USDA organic
• Boosts the immune system, improves skin health and lowers stress
• Ideal for baking, smoothies, and lattes
• Differently-sized 12 and 140.8-ounce (small and large) packages to choose from

Cons:

• No ceremonial grade option

6. Republic of Tea Matcha Powder – Gluten-Free Matcha Powder

Photo: The Republic of Tea

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Culinary
• Organic: Yes

Just like Midori Spring’s matcha powder above, this one has a healthy gluten-free formulation that is also sugar-free, non-GMO and Kosher certified.

However, this is in culinary grade and has several flavors to choose from such as chai, charcoal, ginger, coconut water, turmeric, mint, chocolate and more.

Regardless of the flavor that you choose, each one has less than half the amount of caffeine as compared to coffee and gives a smooth vegetal sweetness.

On the downside, the product is not USDA certified for 100% organic purity and there is no ceremonial grade option to choose from. 

Pros:

• Healthy gluten-free formulation
• Sugar-free, non-GMO and Kosher certified
• Available in different flavors
• Smooth vegetal sweetness

Cons:

• Not USDA certified for 100% purity
• No ceremonial grade option to choose from

7. Midori Spring Organic Matcha – Non-GMO Matcha Powder

Photo: Midori Spring

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Ceremonial
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

This first-class ceremonial matcha powder is a non-GMO product, which makes it very safe to use. It is also gluten-free and is made from tea leaves that have not come into contact with pesticides, further improving on the safety of use.

That said, the tea leaves used are gathered on the first harvest, and this ensures the resulting powder is vibrant green in color, with a sweet aroma and smooth earthy flavors.

Other features include being 100% organic (USDA certified), Kosher and vegan certified for safe use. You also get 1.06 and 3.52-ounce size options to choose from, in which both are containerized with a screw-tight lid for sealing after scooping your serving.

However, this ceremonial grade is not recommended for baking purposes. 

Pros:

• First class ceremonial matcha powder
• Non-GMO and gluten-free
• Vibrant green in color with a sweet aroma and smooth earthy flavors
• 100% USDA organic
• Kosher and vegan certified

Cons:

• Not ideal for baking

8. Kenko Matcha Green Tea Powder – Fat Burning Matcha Powder

Photo: Kenko Tea

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Ceremonial
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

Though very costly, Kenko’s matcha green powder is of ceremonial grade quality and has several health benefits such as helping in burning fat for quick weight loss, increasing brain activity and boosting the body’s energy.

Other than that, the product is USDA certified as 100% organic and has Kosher plus gluten-free certifications for healthy use.

More features include a non-GMO formulation that is vegan-friendly and availability in 4 different pack sizes, which are 1, 1.06, 3.5 and 16 ounces. You also get a culinary grade option that is cheaper and is ideal for making smoothies, lattes or for baking and cooking.

Pros:

• Helps to quicken fat burning for weight loss purposes
• Increases the brains activity and boosts the body’s energy
• 100% USDA organic
• Kosher certified and gluten-free for safety purposes
• Non-GMO and vegan-friendly

Cons:

• Expensive

9. Epic Matcha Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder – 100% Organic Culinary Matcha

Photo: Epic Matcha

• Origin: Japan
• Grade: Culinary
• Purity: 100%
• Organic: Yes

This culinary grade green tea powder is certified 100% organic by USDA, which means it has no artificial additives. It is also sugar-free, gluten-free, GMO, dairy and soy-free, but still maintains a sweet flavor and aroma in this pure form.

Its culinary quality makes it ideal for use in smoothies, lattes and in baking, and there is a ceremonial grade option available, just in case you want the top-quality stuff.

Once ingested, the benefits you get include purifying the body from toxins, which boosts your health and immune system, energy and metabolism improvement, as well as mood improvement.

However, the product is available in small 1- and 4-ounce packages, which limit the maximum size that you can buy as a single pack.

Pros:

• 100% USDA organic
• Free from sugar, GMO, dairy and soy
• Sweet flavor and aroma
• Ideal for smoothies, baking, and lattes
• Purifies the body from toxins

Cons:

• Small 1- and 4-ounce packs limit the max single pack size that you can buy

How to Buy the Best Matcha Powder

Photo: Matcha Konomi

When choosing the best matcha powder, you need to understand the properties that make it look and taste good. That said, these are the factors that you need to consider. 

1. Grades

Ceremonial

Ceremonial matcha is the highest quality matcha powder there is. Basically, this classification shows that the powder is made using the freshest and youngest leaves, which are usually gathered from the first harvest. 

A shade is placed above the tea about 3 weeks before harvesting so that the leaves gather as much chlorophyll and L-theanine as possible, which makes the resulting matcha very nutritious.

However, this also makes it very expensive, going at about $1 – $2 per gram. Therefore, this grade is mostly used during special occasions, such as Japanese tea parties. 

Premium

Premium matcha takes the second spot in terms of quality because it usually consists of the second and third leaves of each tea plant.

One major benefit of premium matcha powder is that it is made of leaves harvested during the second flush of the season, which is when the leaves have been shown to have the highest levels of catechins.

Additionally, it is cheaper than ceremonial powder, going for around $0.4 – $0.5 per gram.   

Culinary

Culinary matcha powder sits at the bottom end of the quality scale because it is made using old leaves picked closest to the bottom of the tea plant.

Culinary matcha has fewer nutrients than the two above and is also coarser. However, it is cheaper than the rest, going for $0.13 – $0.3 per gram.

Its main use though is in baking, lattes, smoothies, and cooking.

Buying Guide: As the name suggests, ceremonial matcha is for ideal special occasions. If you want highly nutritious matcha with high levels of antioxidants, go for the premium grade. For cooking, baking or smoothies, lattes, and other drinks buy culinary matcha.

2. Origin

The country of origin of the matcha powder is very important to consider. Japan is credited with the discovery and development of this product and therefore, you should expect Japanese matcha powder to be very superior and better than that from other countries.

This is because Japan employs strict farming standards, with soils in the tea growing farms being constantly tested for heavy metals and other pollutants. If this is not checked, the quality of the powder will not be as good.

That said, this does not mean that Chinese matcha powder such as Matchaccino’s product above is of poor quality. Ideally, what should guide you in such instances are the certifications given.

For instance, with a Kosher certification, the product’s processing and ingredients have been thoroughly checked and given a clean bill of health in terms of safety standards by the Jewish body. Others such as the USDA certification shows the product is 100% natural.

3. Purity

Even though matcha powder is known to be highly nutritious, harmful chemicals and fertilizers can lower this quality and the high level of antioxidants.

Therefore, it is important that you look for 100% organic matcha if you want the benefits of taking in all the vitamins, amino acids, and minerals associated with this powder.

4. Color

The best organic matcha powder should be bright green, which results from the high chlorophyll content that occurs on the tea leaves when left to grow in the shade.

Matcha that appears dull should be avoided as it mostly contains additives or is oxidized as a result of improper packaging.

5. Taste and Aroma

High-quality matcha powder should have a sweet, herbaceous aroma with a natural vegetal sweet taste that is usually described as grassy.

This is because the leaves are steamed during the preparation process, which helps to preserve the healthy nutrients and, in the process, develops the sweet flavor.

On the other hand, low-quality matcha is usually bitter and as such, it should be avoided.

6. Packaging

Lastly, you need to check the powder’s packaging. The goal here is to prevent the powder from oxidizing. Therefore, ensure that the package is resealable after opening, and has opaque walls that prevent light from penetrating through.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the healthy composition of matcha powder makes it a superfood, or super drink, in this case, when compared to others such as green tea.

However, you need to be careful when selecting the grade because this should match the occasion. This and other factors are clearly explained above so that you can easily pick the best matcha powder that befits the event and your needs. 

Sources

1. 7 Proven Ways Matcha Tea Improves Your Health – Healthline