In the bustling world of morning rituals, matcha has emerged as a serene alternative to the jittery rush of coffee, captivating health-conscious consumers across the United States. A year-long taste test conducted by CNET reviewer has pinpointed the top matcha powders available, highlighting options from ceremonial-grade delicacies to budget-friendly blends suitable for everyday lattes and baking. This evaluation, drawing on personal consumption and expert input from a Japanese tea master, underscores matcha's growing appeal amid a broader shift toward calmer caffeine sources.
The reviewer, who transitioned from coffee shop caramel macchiatos to daily matcha infusions about two years ago, sought powders that deliver a steady energy boost without the typical caffeine crash. 'I started drinking coffee in college, usually while cramming for an exam or meeting friends at our favorite local shop. But no matter how many caramel macchiatos I treated myself to, I would always end up slightly jittery,' the reviewer wrote, explaining the pivot to matcha. Now a staple in their routine, often mixed with oat milk and honey, matcha has become a 'caffeine tradition' rather than an addiction.
At the forefront of the recommendations is Eiryoku Matcha from Tezumi, named the best overall matcha powder. Sourced from Uji, Japan—a region renowned for its high-quality production—this powder offers a smooth texture, easy sifting, and a non-bitter taste that shines both solo and in lattes. Yoshitsugu Nagano, a tea master based in New York, emphasized Uji's superiority due to its 'unique cultivation method called covered cultivation (ooishita saibai), which produces matcha of a quality apart from other regions.' The 50g and 250g bags are currently available, with a 15% discount offered on each order through Tezumi's website, though the smaller 20g can remains sold out.
Close behind is Naoki Matcha Superior Blend, another Uji-origin powder with a deep green hue indicative of its ceremonial grade status. Made from first-harvest tea leaves without added sweeteners, it presents a slightly bitter profile on its own but transforms into a flavorful latte when paired with oat milk. Ceremonial grade, derived solely from initial harvests, sets it apart as a premium choice for traditional preparation.
For those seeking luxury, Kiwami Single Cultivar Matcha from Matchaful stands out as the best premium option. This New York City-based brand sources from a multi-generational estate in Shizuoka, Japan, ensuring consistency across four generations of farming. Its sustainability shines through single-farm practices, and Nagano noted that 'the more vividly green the matcha, the stronger the umami [savory flavor], and the lower the bitterness and astringency.' At $49 for 30g, it's pricey, but a subscribe-and-save plan provides 10% off and free shipping, making it accessible for dedicated enthusiasts.
On the economical side, Rishi Everyday Matcha offers solid value at $14 for 30g. Partnering with Japanese organic farmers for nearly 20 years, Rishi sources this single-origin powder from Kirishima, Japan, using first and second harvests. While this blend falls into the premium rather than ceremonial category, it delivers good flavor and is certified organic, appealing to cost-conscious buyers exploring matcha without breaking the bank.
Travelers will appreciate Happy Matcha from Big Heart Tea Co., packaged in convenient individual 1.7g sticks for on-the-go preparation. From Shizuoka's Happy Mukoujima Farm, founded in 1982 at the base of Mt. Ishidani, the powder benefits from significant day-night temperature differences that enhance quality. Farmer Mukoujima-san stated on the company's website, 'By being in the mountains, there is a large temperature difference between day and night, which helps produce high-quality tea.' Jet-milled and culinary grade, it mixes easily into a 16-ounce water bottle or a warm 12-ounce cup, yielding a lighter flavor profile.
Bakers have a dedicated pick in Organic Culinary Matcha from Jade Leaf, ideal for infusing treats with vibrant green color and subtle caffeine. Using just two tablespoons, the reviewer baked a dozen white chocolate chip cookies that turned out deliciously earthy. From the second harvest, it's less expensive and lower quality than ceremonial varieties, but Nagano advises this is perfect for cooking: 'Heat during baking breaks down theanine [an amino acid] and significantly diminishes both aroma and color, so using expensive matcha offers little benefit.' Larger bags provide better value for frequent bakers, with most recipes requiring two to three tablespoons.
Complementing the powders, the Dona x Hario Matcha Set from Brooklyn's Dona company equips beginners with essentials: a 30g tin of ceremonial matcha, a double-walled bowl, scoop, sifter, bamboo whisk, and stand. Originally $125, it's on sale for $100. The reviewer, using it for over a month, praised the high-quality pieces, particularly the bowl's design and the sifter's fit, noting the matcha's enjoyable flavor.
Among other tested options, Jade Leaf’s Organic Ceremonial Matcha Barista Edition from Uji and Kagoshima impressed beginners with its smoothness and low bitterness. Blue Bottle's Ceremonial-Grade Matcha from Uji excelled in lattes but required more powder for intensity and carried a higher price. Matchaful’s Hikari Single Origin Matcha offered deep color and good flavor at a lower cost than Kiwami, while Chamberlain Coffee's Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder from Shizuoka evoked Blue Bottle's profile. Clöud Café's flavored, collagen-infused varieties catered to trendy tastes but strayed from tradition, and Jade Leaf’s Organic Cafe Style Sweetened Matcha Latte Mix simplified lattes with built-in sweetness.
'I view the recent spread of matcha lattes -- and the diversification into cocktails, chai-style drinks and more -- 100% positively, and in New York, I personally enjoy discovering new ways to appreciate matcha,' Nagano told CNET. He added that 'the ‘classics’ and modern styles elevate each other’s existence and value. Just as modern pop and rock do not diminish Mozart’s greatness, new ways of enjoying matcha are not in opposition to the traditional world.'
Preparing matcha demands specific tools for optimal results. A whisk—traditional chasen or electric—is essential to eliminate clumps, while a dedicated bowl aids whisking and pouring. Nagano stressed water temperature's role: 'Matcha’s taste is mainly determined by one, theanine (umami/sweetness), two, catechins (astringency) and three, caffeine (bitterness).' He recommended 70 to 80 degrees Celsius (158 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit) to balance sweetness and foam, avoiding higher heats that amplify bitterness. A temperature-controlled electric kettle is ideal, and a sifter prevents lumps, though not strictly necessary.
For lattes, a milk frother enhances creaminess, with handheld versions doubling as whisks. Many brands, including those listed, sell starter bundles with whisks and accessories, streamlining home setups beyond just a kettle.
The testing process spanned months, evaluating taste, bitterness, color, texture, sifting ease, and latte performance. As a daily drinker, the reviewer assessed these alongside origin and harvesting details, bolstered by Nagano's expertise on production and storage. Color and texture factored heavily, with vivid greens signaling preserved theanine and proper handling.
Matcha differs from standard green tea, both from Camellia sinensis but processed uniquely for a thicker, earthier concentrate. Health-wise, it's rich in antioxidants, L-theanine, and caffeine—18.9 to 44.4 mg per gram, less than coffee's 95 mg per 8 ounces but more than other teas. A 2022 National Library of Medicine review found matcha superior in these compounds due to farming methods, with trials showing reduced stress, improved attention and memory, and neutral mood effects, though more research is needed.
Storage is crucial: Keep opened matcha in its aluminum pack in the fridge, sealed tightly against air and humidity. Nagano advised letting it reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation. Quality indicators include umami strength from theanine and vivid green color, which fades under light if mishandled.
As matcha lattes proliferate in cafes and homes, blending ancient Japanese rituals with modern innovations, consumers gain versatile options for wellness and indulgence. With prices ranging from $14 to $49 and formats from sticks to sets, the market caters to novices and connoisseurs alike, promising sustained growth in this calming corner of the beverage world.