We tasted some of the best matcha powders on Amazon — these are our favorites
If you haven’t hopped on the recent matcha trend, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re scrolling through TikTok and happen to come across this drink, or are following celebrities like Bella Hadid and are now inspired to drink it, matcha is well on its way to replacing iced coffee as everyone’s favorite drink this year.
If you’re a newcomer to this bright green tea, or if you’re a daily matcha drinker and looking for a new variety to try, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best matcha powders to shop on Amazon. We even took the time to taste-test some of these powders ourselves! So, if you can’t jet off to Japan to taste this green tea in its place of origin, Amazon has plenty of high-quality blends sourced directly from Japan. Learn more about the origins of matcha, try out the best recipes, and shop our favorites below.
The Origins of Matcha
While matcha may have blown up on social media this year, this drink actually dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China and was brought over to Japan by a Buddhist monk over 900 years ago. According to Britannica, matcha started as a practice called “the way of tea,” where matcha leaves were made into a powder for the tea ceremony, then whisked into boiling water using a bamboo brush and given out during the ceremony for drinking.
The word matcha derives from the Japanese word matsu, which means “to rub or paint,” and cha, which is another word for tea. The key to a perfect matcha drink is its bright green color, which it gets from the high levels of chlorophyll present in the leaves. Not only is matcha known for its distinctive shade of green, but it’s also good for you. This tea is higher in caffeine than others, so it’s a great pick me up for those who don’t drink coffee. Britannica also reports that matcha has a high level of antioxidants, which may help alleviate stress and aid in reducing blood pressure.
As for taste, matcha can vary based on the grade, the brand and whether or not it’s sweetened. Ceremonial-grade blends tend to have a slightly bitter taste, while culinary-grade blends tend to be more earthy. Color also varies, but when you’re shopping you should look out for powders that are bright green in color.
Chamberlain Coffee Strawberry Matcha Latte
If you love strawberries and matcha, this is one of our favorite matcha powders to make drinks with. This powder is sourced from Shizuoka, Japan, and is a ceremonial grade matcha. We enjoyed using this powder to make an iced matcha, but it’s also delicious when served hot. This matcha powder is also fairly sweet, so we didn’t need to add much to it. This Japanese matcha powder is plant-based and has additional ingredients such as oat milk, strawberry powder and pure cane sugar. To make your drink, just add two tablespoons of the powder to hot water and whisk it until it’s fully dissolved. You can drink it as is or pour over a glass of milk.
We decided to add a little bit of caramel syrup to our glass, added ice and a little bit of almond milk, and poured the matcha mixture on top. The best part about this powder is that it allows you to customize your drink to your liking. Make a chocolate-covered strawberry matcha by adding chocolate syrup to your glass. Or, add a bit of vanilla and lavender for a sweet matcha that tastes like Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Original Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $16.99 (15% off)
Jade Leaf Matcha
This Jade Leaf Matcha can be used for just about anything, including matcha lattes, smoothies, cakes, cookies, croissants and more. It’s 100% organic culinary grade Japanese matcha powder, and is sourced directly from Uji and Kagoshima, Japan. This matcha powder is finely ground, which gives it a smooth and rich flavor and that vibrant green color that we all want in a matcha latte.
Original Price: $24.95
Sale Price: $22.50 (10% off)
Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend
This ceremonial blend of matcha is rich and smooth with a little bit of bitterness and umami. Sourced from Uji, Kyoto, this superior blend is 100% matcha powder and has no additives for sweetness. Enjoy it iced or hot with water or milk or as a latte, tea or smoothie. Not only is this Naoki matcha delicious, but it also increases your focus and energy for a more productive day.
Price: $23.99
Naoki Matcha Organic Ceremonial First Spring Blend
Different from the Naoki Matcha superior blend, this Naoki matcha blend is organic. This matcha powder creates a very smooth taste and has rich, dark notes similar to cocoa. It has a very subtle umami taste with a bit of bitterness to it. It’s certified organic by the JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards), which is recognized by the USDA, and it’s produced and ground into powder in Kagoshima, Japan.
Price: $25.99
Chaism Ceremonial Grade Matcha Green Tea Powder
If you’re looking for a premium ceremonial grade matcha with no added sugar, we recommended this Chaism Ceremonial grade matcha blend. Originating from the valley of Hangzhou, China, this powder is 100% pure organic matcha, USDA certified, vegan, gluten-free and GMO-free. The antioxidants in this matcha may help strengthen the immune system and balance a healthy metabolism, while giving your glowing and radiant skin. With this matcha powder, you’ll get that vibrant green color and rich flavor that belongs in every matcha latte.
Price: $18.99
Ippodo Tea - Sayaka Matcha
For rich and smooth lattes, we love this Ippodo Tea Sayaka Matcha. It has a slight umami flavor with a bitter taste that’s not too overpowering. It’s grown, blended and packaged in Kyoto, Japan. This matcha powder is rich, so it creates a creamy and thick matcha latte. There’s a slight sweetness to this powder, so it’s perfect for those who don’t want to add any sugar to their matcha.
Price: $35.70
Kiyo Matcha Premium Grade Ceremonial Uji Matcha
This Kiyo Pure Japanese Matcha has a vibrant green color to it, and it produces rich and creamy matcha lattes. This ceremonial grade matcha is sourced directly from Uji, Kyoto, in Japan. This blend has more of an umami flavor, so it’s ideal for seasoned matcha drinkers. To make the best matcha drink, sift about a teaspoon of this blend into hot water and whisk until it’s blended and foamy. Pour on top of your choice of milk or favorite drink and enjoy. We decided to make a strawberry matcha drink and a matcha lemonade with this blend and absolutely loved it!
Price: $29.99
MATCHA DNA Certified Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder
This Matcha DNA powder is incredibly versatile, whether you want to use it for baking, making drinks like matcha lattes and matcha lemonade, or use it to make a face mask. It’s USDA certified organic and is sourced from the mountains of China. It’s easy to use and a great powder for beginners in the matcha realm.
Price: $29.99
Chamberlain Coffee Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder
Choose between chocolate, vanilla, mango, or regular matcha powder with this Chamberlain Coffee Matcha. This ceremonial green tea powder is organic, vegan and gluten free. It has a smooth taste to it, and is slightly sweet with a hint of umami and bitterness. Sourced from Shizuoka, Japan, which is the green tea capital of Japan, this matcha powder also has an earthy flavor. Mix it with hot water and pour it over your favorite drink. We love to mix this with almond milk or lemonade.
Price: $24
FGO Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder
This FGO Organic matcha green tea powder is culinary grade, so if you’re looking to bake desserts like matcha cheesecake, cookies, cake, tiramisu, ice cream or brownies, this is the perfect powder to use. It’s USDA certified organic, non-GMO, and sourced from Japan. Just mix this powder with hot water and serve it over your favorite drink or make it into a smoothie.
Price: $19.99
Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder
Sourced from the ultimate matcha terroir in Uji, Japan, this Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder is hand-picked from the most tender matcha leaves and ground into a fine powder. It’s USDA certified organic, vegan and 100% pure matcha. If you’re a seasoned matcha drinker, this is one of the best powders to use. It has a slightly grassy and umami flavor and is thick and frothy in texture. It also provides caffeine for a boost of energy without having a bitter taste.
Original Price: $37.99
Sale Price: $36 (5% off)
Jade Leaf Matcha Organic Café Style Sweetened
If you’re looking for an affordable matcha powder for lattes, smoothies and drinks, we recommend this Jade Leaf organic matcha powder. This matcha mix originates in Uji and Kagoshima, Japan, and it’s made of a mix of matcha powder and organic cane sugar for a slightly sweet taste. Drink your matcha either hot, iced, or blended by using this powder.
Price: $9.95
Matcha Recipes You Have to Try
If you’re looking for new matcha recipes to try out, you’ll find a wide range of them on TikTok. However, we have a few of our own that we absolutely can’t get enough of. Try out a few of our favorite matcha recipes listed below. Just make your matcha mixture with hot water and matcha powder, then add any of the syrups and drinks listed.
Matcha Lemonade: Matcha + Lemonade
- Instructions: Mix your matcha powder with hot water and combine with a refreshing glass of lemonade.
Blueberry Matcha: Blueberry syrup, milk, and matcha.
- Instructions: Add a little bit of blueberry syrup to the bottom of your cup, then add ice. Pour your favorite milk on top, then add your matcha mixture. For the blueberry syrup, you can buy our favorite one from Amazon or make your own at home.
Strawberry Matcha: Strawberry syrup, milk, and matcha
- Instructions: Take your strawberry syrup and milk and stir until well combined. The mixture should be a bright pink color. Add ice to your glass and then pour your strawberry milk on top. Top the drink with your matcha mixture and enjoy.
Pumpkin Pie Matcha: Pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin syrup, pumpkin sauce, milk, matcha
- Instructions: To a glass, add your pumpkin syrup to the bottom and drizzle your pumpkin sauce around the inside of the cup. Add your ice and top with your milk of choice. Top with matcha and a dash of pumpkin pie spice and enjoy. For an extra touch, make a pumpkin cream cold foam by combining heavy cream, milk and your syrup, sauce and pumpkin pie spice. Use an electric whisk to combine and add it on top of your matcha.
Iced Matcha Chai: Matcha, milk, chai concentrate, syrup of choice (optional)
- Instructions: If you love matcha and chai, why not have the best of both worlds and combine them. To your cup, add your ice, milk and syrup of choice if you want to add a bit of sweetness. Add your chai concentrate and stir until combined, then pour your matcha on top. We love the Tazo chai concentrate on Amazon and the Trader Joe’s brand concentrate.
Vanilla Caramel Matcha: Vanilla syrup, caramel syrup, milk, and matcha
- Instructions: Add half an ounce each of vanilla syrup and caramel syrup to your cup. Pour your ice on top, then add your milk and matcha. Add a caramel drizzle to your cup for an extra boost of flavor, then stir and enjoy.
Lavender Matcha: Lavender syrup, milk, and matcha
- Instructions: Another simple matcha recipe, this drink is perfect for those who love those sweet and floral notes in a drink. Just add your ice and milk to a cup, pour in about an ounce of lavender syrup, add your matcha on top and stir until the flavors are well combined. If you want to take things up a notch, make a cold foam with the syrup, milk and heavy cream, whisk it until it’s well blended and pour on top of your matcha. Add some edible lavender flowers on top of the foam (for aesthetic purposes, of course) and enjoy your homemade lavender matcha.
If you’re looking for the perfect matcha dessert, we recommend making matcha tiramisu, matcha brownies, matcha white chocolate chip cookies or a spongy matcha cake. Matcha sago, matcha truffles and matcha cheesecake are also popular viral matcha dessert recipes that are worth giving a try. These drink recipes and desserts are perfect for making for yourself, friends and family, or for events like book club and birthday parties.
Matcha’s TikTok Popularity
“Do you wanna go grab matcha?” If you’ve reached the matcha side of TikTok (aka #matchatok), this question is probably one of the first sounds you’ll hear on a popular video about matcha. The hashtag #matcha alone has over 870 thousands posts, with #matchalatte at over 282,000 posts. So, why has matcha become so popular on social media, especially within the past year? For starters, it’s a great option for people who don’t like coffee but also don’t want something too sweet like juice or lemonade. The rise in matcha’s popularity can also be attributed to its purported health benefits, its smooth taste and its aesthetically pleasing color.
Matcha is such a phenomenon that you’ll see entire accounts dedicated to matcha recipes and powders, along with where to find the best matcha in certain cities on Instagram and TikTok. After its popularity on social media, many coffee shops started to expand their menus to include different types of matcha drinks. From viral coffee shops like The Nitro Bar always posting matcha drinks to tons of creators posting where to find the best matcha in places like NYC, along with viral recipes, this drink has become a hit on social media. The TikTok and matcha fans are truly having a Brat Girl Summer, carrying this drink in hand everywhere they go.
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This story was originally published September 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM.
