Some of the most common questions I have received this year have been “Where do you get your matcha?” or “Matcha is more expensive than I thought. What matcha green tea brands are worth the money?” With all the various options out there, online and in cafes, it can be hard to tell what matcha is “real” or not sometimes. I figured a blog post with some of my recommendations may be an easy way to get this answered. After my post about how to tell what quality of matcha you are purchasing, it only makes sense that I would follow it up with a mini list of brands I have tried and love.
While I wouldn’t call myself a matcha green tea expert I have been fortunate to try many different brands over the last couple of years. Having that experience, I’ve learned from my past mistakes and have definitely become more aware of what I am purchasing and brands I am supporting.
Best Matcha
The list I have included below all reflect my own personal preferences on ceremonial matcha that I have tried myself, love and believe is worth the recommendation. This is the matcha quality you would be looking for if you wanted to invest in a matcha you could drink on it’s own, traditionally.
The other important aspect of this is that none of the brands have outrageously overpriced their matcha. All are pretty much around the same price range, and are a great deal for the quality you are receiving.
Of course, I still encourage you to do some more research as there are a plethora of brands out there and as it goes for my tea reviews, everyone has a different palate. What I may like you may not and vice versa.
This list is in no particular order. If you do end up giving one of these matcha green tea brands I suggest a try, please let me know!
Top 5 Matcha Green Tea Brands I Recommend
*Note: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking these links won’t cost you anything extra. Any commission earned goes toward providing original content for The Cup of Life.
1. Encha Matcha – Organic Matcha from Farm to Cup
Let me start by saying, Li’s, Encha Founder, passion is so incredibly valuable and inspiring. I first became in touch with Li before Encha even started.
I remember he messaged me about a Japan trip he was planning and asked me if there was anything I wanted to know about Japanese matcha and organic farming so he could search for the answers for me.
Not long after his trip, Encha was born and it is one of my favourite matcha brands to support and indulge in. While Encha is superior quality matcha, I know that my matcha knowledge has expanded thanks to Li.
Thanks to him, I realized earlier years I was being overcharged for what I thought was high quality matcha.
All Encha’s organic matcha has no pesticide, no synthetic fertilizer, no preservatives and is non-GMO.
When I first tried Encha’s Latte Grade organic matcha I was impressed with how smooth it was. It had little to no astringency when prepared with just hot water. It is, however, not as delicate as their ceremonial grade.
If you’re new to matcha, I would say you could even purchase the latte grade, over the ceremonial grade first to give it a try and save some money.
Price: Ceremonial Grade Pure Organic Matcha 30 grams for $19.90 (free shipping)
Latte Grade Pure Organic Matcha 60 grams for $25.95 (free shipping)
Package: Resealable pouch
Ships: U.S. and Canada through Amazon, also ships through Encha.com (shipping fees apply there)
2. Grace Matcha – Buy Authentic Japanese Matcha Green Tea
When I first tried this matcha company it easily became a favourite. This company wants their customers to be able to easily buy excellent quality matcha straight from Japan and doing so, they have hand picked a select range of matcha teas to suit a wide variety of tastes and purposes.
Having the opportunity to try a vast selection of their matcha products, I am always amazed at the quality. Their ceremonial matcha is perfection – no bitterness, and so rich and creamy.
I also love that the founder, Ritsuo, is very open about where his matcha comes from, how it is processed, etc. He is always bringing new, exciting products to Grace Matcha! (Ex: I have never tried hojicha powder until he introduced me to it.)
Due to the wide range of matcha products available at Grace Matcha, he is extremely helpful if you wanted to connect with him to get a recommendation on what matcha may be right for you.
Price: Ceremonial Matcha 20 grams for $26.30 or Luxury Matcha 20 grams for $15.00
Package: Airtight tin
Ships: Internationally
Coupon Code: Use code THECUPOFLIFE at checkout for a small discount, too!
*Please note this blog post used to include Midori Matcha in spot #3. It was one of the first brands I invested in after sampling and researching further. It was the brand that steered me away from Teavana’s matcha that was my once go-to. However, Midori Matcha no longer sells their matcha online. Therefore, I thought it was time to add a new best matcha recommendation to this list that is easily accessible for online shoppers. If you’re still interested in Midori Matcha, check out their store locator to find it sold somewhere near you.
3. Soar Organics – Nutrient-Rich Organic Matcha You’ll Love
Soar Organics was founded in 2017, but I first tried this matcha in the beginning of 2019. Like the other matcha brands on this list, I was immediately impressed with the quality and value.
The ceremonial matcha was prepared traditionally and it was vibrant and incredibly smooth with slight sweetness. Their matcha is from the first flush harvest in Kyoto, Japan and slowly stone ground.
If organic matcha is very important to you, you’ll be pleased to know that their matcha is certified by both Canadian Organic Regime and Japanese Agricultural Organic Standard. It is also tested for radiation, heavy metals and arsenic.
A portion of every Soar Organics matcha sale is donated to Canadian Feed the Children (CFTC), too. Do good while getting some delightful high-quality matcha.
Price: Organic Ceremonial Matcha 30 grams $23.95
Package: Airtight tin
Ships: Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK (free shipping to Canada & US)
4. Pure Matcha – Quality Not Quantity
With a super vibrant green colour and fresh aroma, it’s hard not to love this company’s matcha. Pure Matcha’s Premium Ceremonial Grade is buttery and smooth. They also have an Organic Ceremonial Matcha that is available for a few dollars more but I have not tasted that one, yet.
One thing that really got me excited to try their matcha was a line they had in their “About Us” section of their website. “Most Matcha companies out there try to sell lower grade matcha and pass it along as Ceremonial grade.”
This is exactly what I always try to remind friends, family, readers, etc. when they are wanting to invest in matcha. If there is one point I want the get across, to get into everyone’s head forever, it’s just that.
I love that Pure Matcha is so open about that and it definitely shows from their matcha that they know what they are talking about. Pure Matcha also offers 100% Rooibos and Black Tea powder.
Price: Premium Ceremonial Grade 30 grams for $20.99
Package: Airtight tin
Ships: Internationally
5. Mizuba Tea – Purveyors of Pure Japanese Green Tea
Mizuba Tea’s matcha is a single-region, single-ingredient tea from a small farm in Uji, just outside of Kyoto, Japan. After her trip to Japan, Lauren, CEO of Mizuba Tea, has been sharing the deliciousness of matcha with everyone she can since.
Offering a variety of matcha online, their Ceremonial Organic Matcha is one I have experience with and fell in love with at first sip. The captivating green tea has a robust flavour packed with tons of natural sweetness and nutty notes.
I especially like that Mizuba Tea also offers a “Daily Matcha” option that is quite affordable ($20 for 40g) and seems like a great option for those just getting into this green tea powder and want superb quality without a super big price tag.
Price: Nagomi Ceremonial Organic Matcha 40 grams for $35
Package: Airtight tin
Ships: Internationally
Learn More About Matcha Green Tea:
- How To Make Matcha Green Tea
- A Guide to Traditional and Non-Traditional Matcha Tools
- How to Properly Care for Your Matcha Whisk (Chasen)
- The Basic Facts About Japanese Matcha
- A Matcha Comparison: Do You Know What You’re Buying/Drinking?
- How to Make Sure You’re Buying High Quality Matcha Online
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I loooove Mizuba Tea! 🙂 Their Daily Matcha is delicious & I've found that their Culinary Matcha makes an amazing present for anybody who loves to bake!
Yay! So great to hear you also enjoy their matcha. Culinary matcha as a gift for bakers is a wonderful idea!
Nice list! Haven’t tried them all but I am very familiar with Encha.
Have you tried Ippodo Ummon? It’s my fav matcha by far.
I've not tried this brand but I love your review and I'm going to check it out
A close friend gave me some amazing tea, and I agree that it does make a great gift. I think of her every time I savor the hot brew in my favorite mug! I'll have to give some of these a shot. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I love how tea can bring two people closer together. Enjoy 🙂
I heard this matcha is a great energy drink as well
I love this list, it's awesome! Xo
I love Green Tea! Can't wait to try these!
Vera | The Vera Story
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I love your blog! have a nice weekend:)
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I have been looking to upgrade my matcha tea brand. Thanks. I do a tsp a day in 30 ounces of water.
Nice! I hope you’re able to find some more delicious matcha from this list.
I love matcha! Gonna have to try some of these. Specially the ones for baking. 🙂
Definitely! I love baking with matcha myself. Do you have any favourite recipes?
I love matcha! Thanks for the great info! I'm glad I found you on #Bloggingboost!
Lori
Thank you for the recommendations! I love tea and drink several cups a day. I tried matcha in foods but never by itself. This gives me a good start list. I’m so glad I found your blog!
Thanks for visiting, Lillith. Yes, I think the first time I would have tried matcha would have been in foods too (without even knowing it). I hope you’ll find one you’ll enjoy as a beverage 🙂
Hello,, thanks for recommendation about best Matcha,,
I also sent the message for your,, please check it
Thanks for the list as a good guidance for a beginner like me!
I was a coffees latte lover, but lately I start finding myself fell in love with the unique taste of matcha.. especially like the matcha ice cream and matcha milk tea!
I am going to try one of the brand you listed to make a matcha soya milk, a combination of my 2 favorite drinks! 🙂
Drinking green tea is part of my stress management after loads of work at office. Reading this post gives me and idea of switch different teas a day.:D
LOVE LOVE LOVE Green Tea! I have a cup every morning while checking email. I don’t think I could live without tea. I hate coffee, but tea is a lifesaver whenever I need some rest or cheering up. 🙂 Great blog!
That is wonderful to hear! I agree – tea is wonderful for resting or a boost of happiness.
I LOVE the Pure Matcha green tea! Best matcha brand I’ve tried so far! I want to try the daily matcha from Mizuba next. I am addicted to matcha now! I want to start my own matcha line 🙂
So happy to hear about your matcha love, Candace! The Daily Matcha from Mizuba will not disappoint.
I’ve considered Teavana’s Matcha. Why is it not in your top 5? How was your experience with it?
Hi Kali, I used to drink Teavana’s matcha when I first started actually. It’s not on this list simply because it wasn’t the highest of quality I’ve had. It was definitely decent to start with but once you try different matcha brands, comparing them is quite simple and I felt these listed are better due to their taste, quality and value. I hope that helps! 🙂
Thank you, I had the same question too about Teavana. My cousin uses https://www.sazentea.com Have you used its matcha? What matcha grade do you recommend to mix in smoothies, frothed milk? thank you
Hi Lan, I haven’t used any matcha from Sazen Tea before so I can’t comment on it specifically. If you want to use matcha for smoothies or lattes, then I would suggest spending a bit less and getting cooking/culinary grade matcha instead of using ceremonial grade. The matchas I use regularly for that is Grace & Green’s Luxury or Regular matcha and Encha’s Latte Grade Matcha. Hope this help!
I wouldn’t waste any Grace & Green matcha on lattes, definitely not the Luxury – it tastes better with just water than DoMatcha Ceremonial (sorry, Canada), the holy grail of Amazon Matcha. To my taste, US$10/oz. matcha is good enough for mixing. I use Midori Spring Emerald and Rishi Everyday, whichever is cheaper at the moment. I’m sure I have posted this here already :))
Thanks for sharing, Vladimir. I definitely agree with you on the Amazon matcha comment.
Steeped Tea, a Canadian company, I think is worthy of mention… delicious premium & ceremonial grade matcha in several amazing flavours for the beginner to experienced matcha lover, only $35 for 100g or $60 for 200g 🙂
Adagio Teas Uji matcha! Bright green, smooth, and frothy. Delicious!
I’ve never tried Adagio’s matcha before. I’ll have to look into it, thanks!
Ryuouen, Ippodo, Horaido, Marukyu, Maiko, and especially Uji Matcha Manten are amongst some of the matcha that I enjoy. The price for Manten is pretty steep, but well justified considering the reputation of Tsuen and quality of the koicha produced.
Nice! Thanks for sharing, Katie. I will have to look up some of those matcha brands and try a few for myself.
Awesome article, I hope you would do one that only focus on new upcoming brands on amazon 😉
So many matcha brands and so few actual matcha producers from Japan! We’re solving this gap in the market by offering dozens of matcha products sold in Japan online at http://www.yunomi.life/collections/matcha (filter by grade, season, etc.).
If you’d like to sample any of these for review, please let us know!
I was just sent this article from my sister and best friend. I agree there are so many out there hard to know what is best. I have been drinking pure leaf unsweetened green tea and I do like it because I like it cold but don’t really know if I’m really getting all the benefits of a good free tea.
I would love to try a few samples. Mostly I would like to try one that I can use as my protein drink fir the gym. Please advise
Thank you for your time in reading this. I look forward to hearing from you
Maria
Hi Maria,
I’m glad you came across this article! I don’t have experience with using matcha at the gym, but you can definitely give any of these brands listed here a try. A few of the brands offer sample packs as well if you wanted to just purchase a small amount at first. I hope you’ll find a great matcha to love! 🙂
Lu Ann, thanks for all the great info…someone above had already mentioned it, but a Canadian Company called SteepedTea offers Ceremonial Matcha..have you done any research into them to be able to give us your thoughts on their quality? I’m a newbie to Matcha, and am thankful for any info you can provide!
Thanks!
Hi Ed,
Welcome to the world of matcha! 🙂 I can’t really give a fair comment on Steeped Tea’s Ceremonial Matcha as I haven’t tried it myself. It must be fairly new as before I only knew about their culinary and flavoured matcha lines. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find much information about it online (ie. where it is sourced). I do see photos of their matcha, which isn’t too vibrant, but again, it doesn’t really specify what grade. Do you happen to know the price point or any other info on it?
Hello Lu Ann and Ed!
How lovely to see you’re chatting about Steeped Tea’s new Ceremonial Matcha 🙂 I am a Sr. Team Director with Steeped Tea and would be happy to help with information about our matcha quality.
Our Matcha is only grown in Nishio, Japan under excellent conditions. Steeped Tea only uses suppliers that challenge the status quo in high standards of quality, food safety, and the disuse of pesticides, heavy metals and microbiology. In Nishio the climate is mild, its soils are fertile, it is elevated (roughly 600 meters) above sea level and its tea fields are in remote locations far from urban
development. All these features contribute to the growth of the
healthiest matcha you can enjoy every day.
Ceremonial Matcha has gone mainstream and our price reflects a product that you could swear by and not break the bank. Try it, and you will find the subtle differences between Premium and Ceremonial.
Our Premium and Ceremonial matchas have the same nutritional value so you could drink either every day. The difference lies in subtle shades of green and subtle smoothness in taste for that special occasion or ceremony.
In respect of pricing, our Premium matcha is $35 for 100g or $60 for 200g, and comes in several flavours: Peppermint, Pineapple Punch, Lemon, Vanilla (most popular), Sweet Strawberry and Melon Ball. Our Ceremonial Grade is $45 for 100g and $75 for 200g. They come in foil bag, inside a lovely Earl Grey – Lime tin to make storage and daily use of our matcha nicely convenient.
If you’d like to chat more about Steeped Tea matcha, or any of our amazing all-natural teas, please feel most welcome to contact me 🙂 I am in Calgary but can help anyone across Canada. We also have an awesome tea Fundraiser Plan that people and organizations are really having great success with.
Thanks and happy sipping!
Thank you so much for this list! I bought matcha from GraceMatcha.com (Grace & Green), based on your recommendation. The quality of the tea and the personal service is amazing!!! Makes me want to visit Japan again!
Hi Libby,
Thanks for letting me know about your purchase and experience with Grace & Green! So happy to hear it. Happy whisking 🙂
hi thanks for the list!
I am new to matcha never really experimented with it on my own and have only had it at coffee shops. I want to invest in it and really have fun with this new tea.
I also live in canada and I was wondering where you get encha becuase they only ship to the US on their site. I really want to try that brand as i always hear how amazing it is!
thanks in advance
Hi Lu Ann this will be my first time trying matcha tea. I’m excited! Went on Encha to order do you have a coupon code cause it’s a little pricy 😬. Thanks so much. Ps I live in the States.
Hi Laura! Unfortunately, Encha does not have any coupons or specials at the moment, but I would recommend just purchasing the mini Encha starter that is only $5 plus shipping. Especially since you are new to matcha, these little packs should be perfect for trying it out. Let me know if you need anything else 🙂
Is “nature’s truth” matcha green tea a premium grade?
Hi Debbie, I haven’t tasted that brand but I just looked it up and can confidently say it is not a premium grade. High quality matcha should be vibrant green, Nature’s Truth seems very brown in colour which is the first sign of low quality. I hope that helps!
Yes, thank you.
Hi Lu Ann, I’m new to matcha and through googling found your blog on the top 5 to try. I’ve just ordered from Grace&Green some Luxury Matcha! I’ll come back and let you know how it went. The prep seems to be such an important spiritual part of the whole matcha experience. I am wary of the green taste, but I read that it helps you think about what you’re drinking, for health. Oh boy, here I jump!
Hi Kelly! I’m so happy to hear you have found and ordered an excellent matcha. I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. Matcha preparation is my favourite – I am probably a bit addicted and like to prepare more than what I can drink in one day LOL. Please let me know if you need any more help with matcha or tea in general 🙂
Hi! I’m new to matcha tea, but wanting to try the best quality. What’s the hype with people wanting matcha from China instead of Japan (because of radiation)? Any truth to that?
Hi Lee, I live in Japan. Powdered green tea was introduced into Japan from China but Matcha was invented in Japan. Now good quality matcha is made only from special green tea cultivars which were developed in Japan (ex, Asahi, samidori, gokou…). In Japan we can not find Matcha that is produced in China. Matcha from China is sold only outside Japan, for people who don’t know about matcha well.
As for radiation, many radiation tests have been done. Yes it is very important to think about food safty! I think you should care about Lead in tea also. Unfotunatly, it is very difficult to find good quality matcha (there are so many low grade matcha outside Japan…) but I hope you can find your favorite matcha 🙂
Love your blog, Please can I send you a sample of my Matcha, We are a small company.Magic Matcha from Canada. 100 percent organic ceremonial grade matcha green tea.
This indeed is a good read and quite informative. There’s nothing best than to start your day with a cup of healthy green tea. I as a green tea lover always love to try out different types of green tea which acts as a great anti-oxidant. Currently I purchased this COZY LEAF PRAIRIE SUNRISE LOOSE GREEN TEA which I found on http://bonvera.com/join/product/CL609015565971 and I must say it is a nutty full-flavored blend of decadent green teas that brews up a beautiful golden cup.
Hello! Great site!
I was out in rural NE Thailand recently and tried, for the first time and at a grocery store , an icey Matcha drink with honey and lemon (or lime). It was so delicious want to try to replicate it. It seems matcha buying is a little more complicated than I expected. I think I’m going to try, from reading your review, the Mizuba. Can you suggest what to go for? THANKS!
Hi Dion! If you’re going to be using the matcha for a drink like the one you experienced I would recommend checking out Mizuba’s Daily Matcha ☺ Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
Hi Lu Ann
Have you tred matcha frm Sri Lanka? I heard they are good too. But I am not sure as i am nrw too matcha myself.
Hi there! I have tried matcha from Sri Lanka and didn’t have a great experience. It was okay to use in baked goods, but I wasn’t a fan of it as a drink. It was super bitter, brown and rough texture… very different from matcha made in Japan!
I have been drinking matcha tea for years and would like to think I can call myself a matcha connoisseur.
I just finished my own taste test of 5 brands of ceremonial grade Japanese organic matcha. I want to share the results of my taste test with everybody.
I prepared matcha tea in the traditional way using one gram of matcha and the same amount of hot (not boiling) water.
Here are the results:
1st = Doctor King – finest ceremonial grade
2nd = Midori Spring – ceremonial grade
3rd = Kiss Me Organics – ceremonial grade
4th = Kenko – ceremonial grade
5th = Aiya – ceremonial grade
The color of Doctor King was clearly the best (10/10). Kenko and Aiya were the worst.
The taste of Doctor king was the best – no bitterness at all!
I want to post some pics. How do I do that?
🙂
Thank you so much for this post! I just purchased a few matchas from Mizuba. Looking forward to trying them.
No problem. Great matcha choice. Enjoy!
Thank you for the great post! Will definitely order one of these 🙂
– Tiina
Thanks Tiina! I hope you enjoy whichever matcha you order.
Love the community on this website! Was wondering your thoughts on “The Republic of Tea’s Matcha”? My sister purchased a tin for me as a surprise gift and I was not so thrilled about the taste. I normally drink the Mizuba which for me tastes great. Thoughts on Republic of Tea’s Matcha?
Thank you and many blessings!
Thanks David! Me too 🙂 I haven’t tried The Republic of Tea’s matcha. I see their website lists it’s from Japan but doesn’t say where exactly. It also doesn’t look too vibrant green in the photos, so by first glance I’m not too impress with it. Have you done a side by side comparison of it and the Mizuba matcha you have?
Yes, I have compared, and noticed the following; Mizuba is much brighter in color, smoother, and no slight bitter taste. I know taste is s subjective matter and my taste is no reflection on The Republic Of Tea’s Matcha, but for me Mizuba is my Matcha of choice at the present!
Health and Happiness!!
Thank you for the great post. How would a brand go about competing to be on this list? We currently produce 100% Pure Premium Grade Matcha that we developed because we wanted to be the best matcha on the market! We would love for you to try it so we can be sure we are doing a great job!
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced Japanese ceremonial matcha Coastal Tea Company is pretty good.
This matcha post was really helpful as a newbie matcha drinker. I tried 3 of the brands you mentioned. Grace (or Grace and Green) was my favorite by far. Very smooth, vegetal, slightly sweet, not bitter, and not clumpy. I would definitely recommend it. The other two brands I tried were extremely bitter (even with honey and milk in them), and I will probably not order them again. Maybe sometime I will try the remaining two on this list. But anyway, it was nice to be pointed to some tried and true options.
Hi Shelly,
Lovely to hear you really enjoyed Grace and Green Matcha! I completely agree with your tasting notes there. I’m glad my list introduced you to it. Sorry about the other two you tried. If you give the other two on the list a try, I hope you’ll enjoy them. Happy whisking!!
Thanks! I bought the Encha, excited to see how it is:)
Awesome pick, Cammie! Keep me posted on your thoughts after you get your Encha matcha.
Hey Lu Ann – I’ve got to recommend that Tenzo Tea should be on the list. We are the healthiest drink on the planet – for more information visit – http://www.tenzotea.co
Thanks Steven! I will have to check that one out.
Hello:
I have to give a shout out to Grace & Green. Agree with you and LuAnn, they are a favorite, and have spoiled me. i find it hard to love other brands, though there are some other good ones. The Grace luxury matcha is a great daily. It has a glorious, vibrant color, a soft, earthy green scent, tremendous foam, a nice balance of vegetal/berry-ish/floral-ish notes, and a beautiful aftertaste that is without bitterness or astringency. I have not been disappointed with any of their others teas, either.
And I agree: Ritsuo is a gem. very helpful, knowledgeable, and customer-focused.
Prefer to PureMatch, Encha, DoMatcha, or Mizuba Daily (and the Mizuba House matcha flunked out of our blind taste test, FYI.) I try to support organic matcha, and don’t mind iMaccha Kizuma either as a latte or to extend another matcha if i’m running low between orders.
(just in case you were wondering, no affiliation with Grace & Green, just love their tea and great customer service.)
Hi Jo! Glad to hear you are a fan of Grace & Green’s matcha. Ritsuo is indeed so knowledgeable. That is what stood out to me in the beginning. It really does make a difference when you are shopping for matcha and have so many questions. Continue whisking and enjoying!
Thanks a ton for posting this! I am a long time lurker however i had to sign up to comment and
let you know how much I enjoyed this, I even shared it to facebook!
Keep up the good work!
Hi Lu! Thank you so much for this! I have been a matcha lover since the “trend” started and I have tried a bunch of brands now. My favorite used to be Grace Matcha but I recently discovered one that became my all time favorite: Velvetea. You just have to see it’s color, the greenest matcha I have ever seen and the smell was just very delicate! You should definitely look into it because I really think it deserves a spot on your list haha
Have a nice week and keep up the good work! I really like your website!
Hi Mariana, I’m happy to hear you have some matcha that you enjoy. I just checked out that brand online but I only see a culinary grade on their website right now. Is that the one you have or is there a ceremonial grade that they have too? Thanks!
I bought the ceremonial grade at amazon. If you type “velvetea matcha” on the search engine it should show up. I truly encourage you to try it out!
Dear MARINA,
Thank you for mentioning Grace & Green! We can not find your name on our customer’s list though… Anyway, We recommend our Luxury Matcha to try. True good matcha is made only by blending some tencha. So, the blender (Chashi in Japanese language) is the parson who are responsible for the taste of Matcha. The blender of our brand has got The Championship in All Japan Tea Judging Competition two times! The best chashi in Japan!
The Matcha you mentioned is from Kagoshima, Japan. In all Japan green tea contest, Tencha from Kyoto get the most prizes every year. Please let me know the real green tea production company in Japan who make the matcha. I’ll try the matcha!
Have a good day and enjoy the Matcha!
Hello, I will probably choose one of the matcha varieties you’ve written about here, but I’m trying to find some Japanese brands that are made for Japanese domestic market (I buy matcha at a local market in Japantown, which sells many imported teas – but it’s difficult to choose! I read Chinese characters, but not Japanese kana). Can you post pics of the packaging so we can see the brands and their Japanese names,if applicable? Thank you!
Yes, I’ll get some photos up of each brand packaging. Thanks for the suggestion. I hope that will help!
Hi Lu,
Thanks for this list, looking forward to trying them out!
I’m initially drawn to the Mizuba “Daily Matcha”, but was wondering if the quality is lower compared to their ceremonial matcha because it’s a “daily”?
Sorry if this seems like a silly question, I’m relatively new to the deeper details of matcha. I’ve always enjoyed drinking it, but never put thought as to the type or quality I was drinking. Thanks!
Hi Patrick,
It’s definitely not a silly question – no worries! The Daily matcha quality is a bit lower compared to their ceremonial grade, but I consider it to still be high quality. You wouldn’t compare it to something like a culinary grade matcha. I think Mizuba’s Daily Matcha is wonderful for just what the name states. Their ceremonial grade listed here is superb, but if you’re looking for a matcha to drink daily, therefore want to save a bit, it’d be a great option without having to sacrifice quality. I hope you’ll enjoy 🙂 Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi Lu,
Thanks for this list, I look forward to trying some of them out!
I’m initially drawn to the Mizuba “Daily Matcha”, but was wondering if it’s of a lower quality compared to their ceremonial matcha because it’s a “daily”?
Sorry for the silly questions, I’m relatively new to the deeper details of matcha. I’ve always been drinking it but never given more thought to the type or quality that I was drinking. Thanks!
I plugged in “Encha” green tea on Amazon and it comes up with “Encho”…is this the same? Where do you get the Encha tea from? I have the Pure Matcha right now and love it but wanted to try a couple of other brands.
Thank for your help and all your information on your site. I’m new to matcha and love it!
Sorry, I stated that Amazon came up with Encho…when I plugged in Encha, but it was Enzo. What do you know about this tea?
Hi Cindy, Encha matcha isn’t sold on Amazon right now. I get it directly from their website http://www.encha.com I have not tasted the Enzo brand but I just did a quick search, and if we are looking at the same thing, it seems like they only have culinary grade matcha and it looks quite dull in colour. You want something that is vibrant green ☺ Also, I believe they said it is sourced from Thailand and I have never had matcha from there before to say what it’s like.
I tried Enzo’s (allegedly)Ceremonial/culinary mix, and I wasn’t impressed. There are much better choices for latte for a little more money like Midori Spring Emerald or Rishi Everyday. Also, Enzo haz enormous amount of fake Amazon reviews, according to fakespot.com.
Encha is far from perfect in that area, too, that’s why I am reluctant to try it.
Thanks for letting me know about Enzo’s matcha! Good to know. As for Encha matcha, it only just started to be available on Amazon a few months ago and for a long time was just sold directly from their website. I’m thinking loyal customers who bought through their site before started to share their reviews on Amazon when it was first released there.
Thanks so much for your quick response. I wondered about the tea being from Thailand too. Am glad to know your thoughts. I will go directly to Enchas site
At your recommendation, I ordered Matcha from Grace Matcha, and I’m absolutely delighted by the taste, the inviting scent, and the lush, peridot green of the powder. Ritsuo, the owner, is a pleasant person to deal with, and he has so graciously sent me a tin of luxury Matcha in addition to my order of the ceremonial grade Matcha. I shall definitely return for more!
That is wonderful to hear, Mira! I’m glad you had a delightful experience with Grace Matcha. Enjoy the delicious tea💚
Just received my first order of Ceremonial grade matcha from https://gracematcha.com/ and I can not express how amazing this tea is. I’ve had matcha from several different locations around florida and thought it was all the same, I could not be more wrong. After my first cup from grace matcha I now see the amazing quality of matcha they provide to their customers. Smooth, calming, elegant, and such an amazing hue of green when prepared properly. But these words alone don’t give it justice you MUST try it to see the amazing quality provided from them. The only thing better then the matcha itself is the flawless customer service provided from them. They responded to all emails and any questions I had about their products so quickly and with such kindness. They also provided a nice little hand written note with their product which was a nice little touch, it shows they care about their customers and could not be more happy with my purchase. Exceptional tea, Perfect customer service, will continue to purchase from them again and again. I would not have discovered them had it not been for this site thank you again 😀
That is so awesome to hear, Matthew! I can definitely relate to you when you say you thought matcha was all the same before. High quality makes all the difference! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m sure Ritsuo from Gracematcha.com would be thrilled to hear that and I’m really glad you found my blog to help ☺ Keep enjoying your matcha. Cheers!
I don’t agree with you on Pure Matcha. I like the color but not crazy about taste, and their matcha is so clumpy, it’s impossible to use without a sifter. I prefer Kenko over Pure Matcha.
As for their openness on how other companies try to sell you crap as Ceremonial Matcha – that’s sh&tting on competition, pardon my French. You can only be open like that about yourself.
On the other hand, I totally agree on Midori Spring, it’s my favorite so far, and I will definitely try Grace matcha, thank you for the recommendation.
Hi Lu Ann,
I just received my first order of Ceremonial and Luxury matcha from Grace & Green, and I loved both. Thank you very much for promoting them. Both Ceremonial and Luxury were the best matcha I ever tried. Luxury had a slightest hint of bitterness but still beat the popular and more expensive Kenko and Pure Matcha hands down. And I absolutely love the aftertaste. Is that what they call “umami”?
And Ritsuo, indeed, is a gem.
I am planning to try some more brands available on Amazon but I am sure I will be a regular customer of Grace & Green.
Hi Vladimir,
Thanks for keeping me posted on your Grace & Green matcha experience! I’m happy to hear you loved both their Ceremonial and Luxury matcha. They really are spectacular….same with the service. I’m always amazed at how quickly it gets shipped to me in Canada from Japan. Best of luck with the rest of your matcha tastings! Let me know if you find anything new that compares to Grace & Green!
– Lu Ann
Was wondering where the best place to order the Grace and Green tea? My favorite so far is Pure Matcha, ceremonial. I have tried other but always go back to it. The G&G sounds interesting though.
Hi Cindy,
Grace and Green matcha is only sold on their website here –> http://www.gracematcha.com
I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any questions about it.
– Lu Ann
Hi Lu Ann,
I am done looking for matcha that compares to Grace & Green. I thought Ritsuo was exaggerating saying that they sell best quality matcha available but he wasn’t, at least outside Japan. I tried matcha from 5 countries, several brands popular on Amazon and nothing came close to Grace & Green.
My latest disappointment was, I’m sorry to say, Mizuba. It was so bad I have asked for a refund. I was under impression that House Organic Matcha was near-ceremonial grade and expected quality of similarly priced Grace Luxury Matcha, which I love and drink twice a day.
The tea I received from Mizuba was only good for lattes. It was yellowish in color, bitter with unpleasant aftertaste and barely produced foam. Frankly, Mizuba House Matcha was the worst I ever tasted in its price range. Even disappointing Rishi Teahouse Matcha was much better. Maybe I got a stale tin but I’m not going to look anymore.
Here are my Grace & Green choices:
Special occasions – Ceremonial
Everyday – Luxury
Latte – Regular
I am so glad i am not the only one that stopped when i found Grace & Green. done with blind taste tests — nothing else comes close. if you want to treat yourself, ask Ritsuo to add to their next Marukyu-Koyamaen order and get yourself some Kinrin, Unkaku, or Eiju, or Choan. Unkaku and Choan are my favorites besides Luxury, which i also use daily. sometimes twice. or three times. 🙂 haven’t tried the Tenju from MK yet, as it’s a little pricey, and i’m afraid i will fall irretrievably in love.
Jo, thanks a lot for the advice. I had no idea Ritsuo could order more varieties. Will definitely try those!
I finally got to taste Choan that Ritsuo sent me, and it is absolutely delicious. I think I’m in love with Marukyu-Koyamaen. I am so glad I found this blog, otherwise I would still be drinking “ceremonial” matcha from Amazon.
yeah, MK is a cut above for sure. i know i’m in love.
Jo, did you try any other major Japanese brands? Sazen Tea, mentioned in comments here, sells MK and 3 more: Hekisuien, Hokoen and Horii Shichimeien.
hi, Vladimir: Horii is on my list. seems they have a new cultivar. but i am so enjoying my MK, i haven’t been in a hurry to order. 🙂
So I thought I might as well pick up some Horii Shichimeien. thanks for the prompt, Vladimir. i ordered the single cultivar Narino, about $30 for 20g (without shipping cost). it’s a relatively new cultivar, selected in 2000 after six years of research.
Easy to order (Sazen Tea), arrived promptly, so that’s a good start. comes in a foil pouch inside the can, with a plastic lid to reduce exposure to air. (some people prefer the foil bag set up, but for me, it’s a bit of a pain, since i consume 5 grams a day of matcha on a regular basis. doesn’t hit the air anywhere near long enough to oxidize/spoil, and the static from the foil drives me nuts when i try to scoop. so a downer there for me.)
color is super vibrant, like excellent matcha should be. the fragrance was so subtle as to be nearly invisible, though. hoped it would do better once it was wet. texture is super fine, as you’d expect, no issues with clumping or anything. foamed well, and the foam lasted a long time. so that’s good.
In the end, i have to say it’s a little to quiet for me. the fragrance improved but little after being “beveragized”. one of the things i really enjoy about MK matcha is it’s presence. the really good matcha takes me to some lovely places if i close my eyes. summer meadow, seashore, or like the Choan, a wild hillside ovelooking the sea. (the really bad takes me places, too, but rather than having a hint of marine, it’s more like a swamp.)
the Narino is very quiet and soft. just the smallest hint of a newly planted herb garden. even that was a stretch to find. for me, it falls short, so i will stay with my organic Grace & Green Luxury blend and for a treat, the MK Choan.
That’s okay! I offered 5 different matchas I enjoyed, opposed to just one because I understand everyone has a different preference. That being said, I completely agree with your thoughts on Grace & Green’s matcha. Their ceremonial matcha is phenomenal and their luxury is a favourite for everyday for myself, too! It’s crazy to think there are other matchas out there that are being sold for so much more and don’t even come close.
An update on Mizuba: after their House Matcha made me sick and the company refused to refund my money, I left a negative 2-star review, which was deleted from the site after one day.
Interesting detail: my review had my photo from Google+ and full name. All other reviews have no photos and the same format: first name last initial period.
Makes you wonder how real they are…
So we started with Oranic Matcha DNA.
Took a while but finally became a Daily habit that we enjoy.
Your #1 here caught my attention but is more costly.
How you would determine quality? What makes the difference? Is it worth?
Hi Oscar, I believe Matcha DNA is sourced from China (correct me if I’m wrong) which is why it would be cheaper in cost and quality than the Encha matcha on this list or others. To determine quality, the first thing I look for is the origin. Generally, higher quality matcha comes from Japan, more specifically Uji. After experiencing matcha from there, I haven’t looked back. But ultimately, it comes down to taste preferences.
Matcha DNA is from China, and it’s really bad quality. I couldn’t even finish the pack, threw the rest out. It was like drinking swamp water latte. Matcha is an expensive habit. Don’t buy anything under 10 USD per ounce.
Hi Lu Ann,
Could your friend at Encha tell us about the heavy metal content of their Matcha, or how they monitor/reduce it? I think I’m sold on Encha, but I want to make sure they have a transparent means of ensuring low lead levels (which I believe to be more common in Japan than elsewhere). Thanks!
That’s a good point!
Have you looked into this with any other brand?
Hi Jesse!
One of the other great things about the Encha matcha brand is that they do regular tests. They have tested heavy metal/lead, none detected. No radioactivity detected as well. For more information, they have details and some of their reports shared here –> https://encha.com/pages/encha-safety
Hi there Lu Ann. I enjoyed reading about your top five teas! They all sound so lovely! But I can only pick one! Which one should it be? I’m new to matcha but I love tea!
Hi Joely –
If you’re new to matcha, feel free to go with the most affordable option on this list first to see if you like it! Or, some on this list, like Encha, also sell small sample packs if you didn’t want to commit to a full size just yet. I’m sure you’ll make a delicious choice!
where we can get airtight tin of similar?
I glad that I found Matcha Tea and enjoy it very much. I am addict and new to Matcha Tea for one month. I want find right Matcha Tea powder.
I want loose weight to drink Matcha Tea. What is your advice to make Matcha Tea?
I am looking to expand my Matcha tea cabinet and can’t wait to try a few of the ones you have provided here. But I have to ask, if you absolutely had to choose one of these to which would it be?
Thanks!
Hi Brittany,
Try out one of the first two on this list. They seem to be the most popular from those who have tried them here too 🙂
I usually use matcha as a complement to my Sakura, Sencha Jade, Gyukura Imperial and Gyokura Genmaicha green teas. I typically purchase about 30 grams of Pure Matcha that lasts me a couple of months. I enjoy the taste of macha, however the caffeine levels are notable.
I find that macha complements a cup of green tea but rounding out the taste and enhancing it.
hi, Marc: i find the better matcha has far less of a caffiene impact. the tea is in the shade longer, and other processing techniques that increase the theanine in the better ceremonial matcha offset the caffiene. i can even have a triple an hour before bed and still go to sleep. and i am so caffiene sensitive i would be up all night from even a half of a small cup of coffee.
Jo, thank you for the information. I was not aware that the processing techniques reduce the amount of caffeine content.
So now you know what I will be doing before bed tonight.
hi, Marc: don’t think it lessens the caffiene, but it lessens the impact of it, anyway. growing and processing methods can increase the theanine (and catechins ). theanine is calming, passes the blood-brain barrier, and seems to upregulate gaba, which is a neurtransmitter that effects a calm state. for me, i could never drink something like imaccha kazuma at night, but MK choan is a perfect evening bev.
What can I use Matcha Green Tea for bed time? What can I use loose weight Matcha Green Tea ?
I would not recommend at bed time but throughout the day. I drink it first thing in the morning to allow me to focus and take charge of my day.
However, the caffeine level in Matcha Green Tea is much lower (about half) than in an equivalently sized cup of coffee. And Matcha also contains that other magical compound L-Theanine which slow releases energy into the body, so it’s definitely not the same as having an energy drink, soda or coffee before bed.
So I decided to give Horii Shichimeien another try, this time a blend rather than a single note.
The fragrance was much more promising than the Narino. It’s soft but strong, vegetal and maybe mossy. so far, so good.
i made it both koicha and with a bit of rice milk. Not bad, better than a lot of matcha, but for me, too much of the vegetal overtones hiding the mossy/algal/herbacious overtones i prefer. kept thinking of green beans. 🙂 so the bitterness wasn’t too bad, but a bit more than i like. not very astringent, though, so a decent cup.
not enough to make me divorce the MK Choan, but it was OK.
I finally almost finished my experimental matcha collection (two seriously bitter Amazon matchas and Mizuba are still sitting in the fridge), and placed an order with Sazen Tea.
Shipping was fast, and their prices are so low, three tins of matcha easily offset $20 US shipping. Customer service is practically non-existent, especially compared to Grace & Green’s Ritsuo but I can live with that.
I got my favorite Organic Matcha Gin/Silver/Luxury, Eiju and Chigi No Shiro – all from MK. I also got some Gyokuro and Genmaicha for my wife to try.
Eiju is absolutely amazing, so much umami, I prefer it to more expensive Choan, so it looks like Eiju will be my special occasion matcha from now on.
Chigi No Shiro didn’t impress me, it was kinda boring compared to Organic Luxury.
I am planning to try everything they have by Marukyu-Koyamaen except the two cheapest matchas. Will update as I go.
To Be Continued…
yeah, Chigi No Shiro was nothing to write home about for me as well.
I still have Eiju in my rotation. it’s better than a lot of other matcha out there.
I don’t mind Sazen, but I like to support businesses with excellent customer service, and there’s nothing like chatting with Ritsuo about matcha or Japanese customs. so it’s Grace & Green for me.
only really have a few more matcha on my list for the future: the low caffeine MK, and MK Tenju, and, perhaps, one of the seasonal varieties. don’t think i will try any more non-MK, as i seem to be disappointed every time i “stray”. 🙂
happy sipping
jo
Jo,
Please keep us posted about anything good you find in the MK seasonal department. There are so many of them, at my speed I will never try them all. Or any – I am nowhere near your 5g per day. Thanks in advance.
Vlad
hi, Vladimir: have you tried MK Kinrin? I preferred it to Eiju, actually, despite Kinrin being less expensive. preferred either of those to Unkaku, for what that’s worth. -jo
Hi Jo,
Not yet. I will try all MK principals for sure except the two cheapest and decide what I’m sticking with. Not seasonals though – life is too short. So if you discover something amazing in seasonals, please let me know.
Thank you,
Vlad
Finally got some Kinrin from Ritsuo. It’s absolutely great for the price. Full of flavors – sweet with a slight hint of bitterness, grassy, lots of umami. Not as polished as Eiju and a little too grassy for my taste but I will definitely be coming back to it. Next stop – Unkaku.
Jo, have you tried Wako and Yugen? I wonder how they fare against similarly priced Luxury.
hi, Vladimir:
glad you are finding nore for your rotation. nice to have something different once in a while.
i like that luxury is organic, so wasn’t planning on trying Wako or Yugen. for the price. i would rather suppprt organic.
Hi Jo,
I Got a tin of Unkaku, and I’m not impressed, especially considering its price. I like cheaper Kinrin much better. I also tried the seasonal Haru Kasumi – it was very nice and mild – perfect for spring. I prefer matcha with a little more character but once a year Haru Kasumi is definitely a worthy addition to the rotation.
I want to try cheaper MK matcha now to see if I want to keep things organic – have you tried Wako or Yugen?
Oops, you already answered that… Sorry.
I find $400 dollars per pound fairly prohibitive, for any product. I’m mostly interested in the health benefits, so I’m looking for clean (no lead, etc) tea of a good quality (shade grown, high chlorophyll, best nutritional profile) at the best price. Any suggestions?
Hi Nick, I recommend trying any of the matcha brands on this list! They are all affordable, averaging about $1 per gram (which is reasonable for great quality matcha). I hope you find something you enjoy…cheers!
I just recently bought Encha (Ceremonial grade) after reading this. Received it this morning. It’s extremely good, much better than a previous cheaper brand I had before. Extremely smooth, fresh and strong in flavor without the bitterness. It is quite expensive, but it tastes amazing. I’d say it tastes much better than typical green tea in a bag from the supermarket. I strongly recommend it.
The way I make it is 1 very small and flat teaspoon of matcha placed inside a shaker which has 100ml of cold water + 100ml boiling water. Makes exactly one standard cup, and just the right strength.
Just an update on my last comment, I did some weighing and I just realized now that it’s not as expensive as I thought. It’s about $1/gram, yet 1 small flat teaspoon is approx 1 gram (just measured it).
I other words, 1 standard cup of matcha costs about $1. Still much cheaper than buying a coffee at a cafe. The 60g pack would last about 2 months if you have one per day, so it’s not that bad.
If your really interested in a wonderful matcha experience it is best to go directly to the source- Japan. While Grace and green is a distributor of matcha from marukyu koyamaen as they state on their site they only offer a limited selection of what the company actually produces. Marukyu koyamaen has so much more wonderful uji matcha to offer. While this company does not deliver to the united states they have other authorized distributors in Japan that ship to the USA and other countries and provide a wider range of products (beware of companies that prentend to sell or have similar packaging to marukyu koyamaen) The prices range based on quality. There are also other well-established companies from Uji, kyoto (example: horii shichimeien), which in my opinion is the heart of matcha production. Location matters.
Going to Japan for a true matcha experience would be a dream come true! Until then, drinking matcha at home from Grace & Green and other brands will be my little taste of Japan. Hopefully I can make my way out to Uji one day and experience more than what distributors can offer.
Ritsuo can order you any MK variety. just send an email and ask. i’ve tried many MK teas this way.
Thank you, Jo! Yes, I can order any Marukyu Koyamaen variety. If you are matcha tea lover, you have to try Choan. I offer ＄29 for this matcha (20g) if you order more than 2 cans of our organic matcha but I can get the matcha twice a month (please compare the price by amazon or ebay). So if you are interested, please email me asap! I will tell you when the next order to MK. 🙂
My opinions are : I taste McCormick Gourmet Organic Matcha Green Tea with Ginger Seasoning but it is very strong Matcha Ginger. I taste Rishi Sweet Matcha Japanese Green Tea Latte and it is nice but very sweet.I taste Teaologists Japanese Organic Matcha Tea Powder but I don’t enjoy drink it and tastes flat. I taste American Tea Room Sweet Matcha and it is alright. I taste Epic Matcha Green Tea and it is nice and rich. I tried to make Epic Matcha Green Tea Cookies and it was very good. I taste Matcha Love Green Tea and it is good. I tried to make Matcha Love Green Tea Cookie and it is nice. I taste Encha Matcha Green Tea and I love it and very rich. I tried to make Encha Green Tea Cookie and it was very good and rich. I have not taste Grace & Green Matcha Green Tea. My opinion Matcha Green Tea are best is Encha. My husband like Encha and Epic Matcha Green Tea.
I like Tenzo Matcha Green Tea but I think Encha is best.
This is SO helpful! I didn’t know where to begin but can’t wait for my first matcha order to arrive. Thank you!
Yay! So glad to hear that! I’m happy to help. I hope you enjoy your first matcha order 🙂
Let me know how do you like it and what brand of matcha green tea.
Thank you
So happy with these recommendations, Lu Ann. I’m a tea lover and I’ve read a lot of good benefits in drinking Matcha tea and consistently on the look for the best brands and honest reviews for each product. Thank you so much for sharing this post!
Great write-up on Matcha tea. I really love matcha tea and often I use to drink matcha tea as well as matcha tea cake also. I love to prepare matcha tea recipes. Though it has many benefits but I drink as a tea lover only. Apart from matcha I love loose leaf green tea also. Anyway, I like to know more about other Japanese tea brands.
Thanks for your great endeavor for sharing is this great article.
Cheers!
After doing some research on matcha options, I decided to give Grace & Green a try and I could not be happier with my decision. It’s nice knowing that not only is the product organic, but that it’s also manufactured by a well known Japanese tea company. Ritsuo customer service is exceptional – he is always super quick to answer any questions and he went above and beyond in regards to a request I had. I would definitely recommend giving G&G a try.
Hi Seth!
I’m very glad to hear that you like our organic matcha! Yes, our matcha is manufactured by a very well known matcha company in Kyoto, Japan. They are not only well known by matcha lovers but also well respected by green tea farmers in Japan. The problem is that many people outside Japan do not know this… It is very important to buy matcha from popular/famous matcha brand in Japan. May people don’t know but green tea has many cultivars. There are some special cultivars that are good for matcha. Yes, blending those well is the key to make delicious matha. Popular/famous matcha companies have good blender. Many matcha second sellers do not tell us who is their real matcha production company in Japan. 🙁 I will work hard for matcha lovers! Thank you again!
Lu Ann,
Thanks for writing this blog post. It will surly help people find a true matcha instead of the knockoffs that come from China. I have been drinking matcha for years and love it. Now I even discovered flavored from Tea’s Me Company. It’s Matcha infused with fruit extract, I love it for lattes. Here is the link to there site you have to give it a try its amazing for Matcha Tea Lattes and Smoothies. https://www.teasmecompany.com/
Found your blog. This is a very good blog on tea online. I would like to thank you for all the information you give. Its really important to choose the best teas online at a resonable price.so thanks for sharing this information.
I have also tried Midori (convenient to buy because of amazon) and Grace matcha (a bit too bitter but not bad tbh). I must say that you have a really good list of the best matcha vendors here! 😀
I wanted to ask if you’ve ever tried Matchaeologist’s matcha? My sister and I are a big fan of their matcha and have been buying from them. They have a very nice design and really great quality matcha.
Hey Sophie, Thanks for your kind comment. Glad you think so! I have not tried Matchaeologist’s matcha. I know a few people who really favour that brand though! Which matcha of theirs do you like the best?
I never heard Matchaeologist’s matcha and Thank you for sharing news. I may try it. It is not easy to choose the best tastes of Matcha Tea.
I recently acquired a bag of Harney & Sons Matcha. Cost was no where near what commenters are referencing. What am I missing?
Hi Mike, it’s my understanding that Harney & Sons offers more than one matcha grade which explains price difference. Which one did you acquire?
Well, Vincent: i finally sprung for the Tenju. It’s totally zen.
Usually, and in particular with a new blend, i am reminded of a place — seaside, field, whatever. this one really took some time to figure out. I’d have to go with some kind of zen inner peace, as opposed to a literal place.
The nose and first taste is a bit asparagus-forward. It’s got very, very little astringency, not much in the way of bitterness, and some subtle florals. but mostly, it’s like drinking the green from a rainbow. it’s very clear and clean.
oh, and the theanine is absolutely off the charts. i made the mistake of having my usual 4-5 gram mugga in the early afternoon. few hours later, i was doin the head bob, and had to take a nap. wow.
worth the price? maybe so.
So jealous. 4-5 gram of Tenju per cup? That would make a hole in my budget… Maybe after I have paid for the European vacation in August 🙂
i did start with a smaller cup. 🙂 for all its clarity, its really smooth as well. but the cost may put this in the “Sunday special” for most people. myself included.
I was wondering what the difference between ceremonial grade and latte grade is? I have been using ceremonial grade to make my lattes. Am I wasting money? This is the first I have heard of latte grade. I had only heard of culinary grade and ceremonial grade. What’s the difference between the three types? Thanks!
Hi Leia,
In terms of Encha’s grading, their ceremonial is premium first harvest (using most tender leaves), their latte grade is first harvest (May!) and their culinary grade is 2nd harvest (June). Encha is the only company (that I know of!) that labels their inbetween as “latte grade” so that might be why you haven’t heard of it before. When comparing the taste of their ceremonial and latte grade, I find the latte grade to be a bit more grassy with slight bitterness, which is why I usually stick to using it in lattes. I typically save better ceremonial matcha for making it traditionally only 🙂
Hi Leia,
That is a very good question! Many people don’t know about it. There is No such grades in Japan. In Japan there are only two types. Matcha (made from Tencha) and Culinary grade Matcha (very low grade matcha or fake matcha like made from Sencha, another name is Moga). About 65% of the powdered green tea (Matcha and culinary grade Matcha) is said to be fake matcha (made from Moga). Matcha has a lot of grades. There are 7 grades in our matcha selection. All of them are matcha (made from Tencha). Higher grade matcha has a higher price. That is all. All of them can be used in tea ceremony. (lower grade matcha tends to be used for tea ceremony practice). So what is ceremonial grade matcha? I don’t know. What I mean is that it might be high grade matcha but it can be low grade matcha. For a business it is very important to get less expensive matcha but sell at a high price with the name “ceremonial grade”. Be careful not to choose low grade ceremonial matcha!
If you drink matcha latte only, yes, you are wasting money… Culinary grade matcha is good enough for matcha latte but you should get it from decent matcha seller. Otherwise you will get culinary grade matcah that taste awful. 🙁
I hope you will find a good matcha for your matcha latte!
Thank you for your clarification and lengthy wisdom. 🙂
You are most welcome! 🙂
Hi, your blog is so detailed. I enjoyed reading it.
I am from France and I purchased from https://matcha-thevert.fr the taste is also very good. I am in love with the color. huhu 🙂
Loved your VERY informative tips!! I too destroyed my whisk (and its life ended with a yucky mold problem as well!), just received a new one and NOW know how to care for it thanks to you! As far as matcha green tea brands to invest in, I LOVE Matcha Fuel (https://thematchafuel.com/) REALLY REALLY good stuff!
Glad you found my whisk tips helpful. Thanks for reading, Beth. All the best with your new whisk 🙂
Hi, nice blog. I purchased the Greenfoods Organic Matcha Green Tea; I love the larger size but I’d like to know compared to your top five…how would you score Greenfoods? I would like to buy more than 40g of matcha tea. Thought…?
Hi there, I’m not certain about Greenfoods Organic Matcha. I have not tried it, and if I looked up the correct one online, it appears it is not 100% matcha . On the ingredient lists I’m finding online it says it includes brown rice solids. Knowing this information, I would definitely say any matcha on my top list would be better quality as they do not have any filler ingredients in them. Matcha is typically sold in smaller quantities as it’s best to use the matcha up within a few months for freshness, but you can find some high quality matcha on the list that sell 60grams. Let me know if you need anything else 🙂
Hi have u heard anything about matcha outlet? I found it and idk if it’s a good grade or not but it’s like the cheapest is 19.99 or 24.99 for like 100g. . I have bought a matcha latte brand from our health store but it has coconut sugar and a couple other things and I really would prefer just to find a simple matcha that is playing so that I can put what I would prefer in it. I’m trying to use less sugar so I prefer to sweeten it if needed with either stevia or something like that.
Hi Chrissy, those prices for 100 grams of matcha doesn’t sound like it would be the highest quality. Give or take, you can generally get a good ceremonial grade of matcha for $1 per gram. That being said, if you enjoy that matcha then that’s all that matters! But yes, always triple check ingredient lists and make sure you are only purchasing matcha that is only that — no other filler ingredients 🙂
Great article, I love matcha! This will definitely help newcomers in trying matcha.The best brand I’ve had by far is Matcha Fuel (https://matchafuel.com/) – haven’t found anything that compares to it yet.
I have my own matcha brand, Matcha Spoon, which I think is the best matcha I’ve tasted, even compared to famous Japanese brands. Would you like me to mail a packet to try?
Hello All,
Great article. There are so many different brands to choose from. I recommend MatchaKari found at matcha.com – their founder is Dr. Andrew Weil, MD. A very trusted person in the health and wellness space. He’s a huge fan of matcha and imports the very finest matcha. I’ve tried several of their matcha teas and they were all great.
Still love the matcha I’ve found at matcha.com. Started by Dr. Andrew Weil, MD. He sources his matcha for Uji and it’s the best I’ve found.
From what I know there really is no such thing as ceremonial grade matcha in Japan. It’s just thin the of thick tea.
I love Mystic match http://www.mysticmatcha.co.uk 🙂
By far the best I’ve ever tried is SILK MATCHA from CHIKI TEA… https://www.chikitea.com
Hi Ritsuo..I’ve seen you write a couple of times, about how one could not find quality matcha outside of Japan, and good hope in finding a favorite matcha. So my question to you is; if we purchase a matcha with origin from Japan..say Nishio for example, are we getting a higher grade matcha or not? I guess I want to know if the matcha being exported out of Japan to consumers, is as good of a grade as the matcha that is staying in Japan… I don’t live I Japan, and I really want the good grade matcha experience, and the healthy benefits that come with it. And… do we need to be concerned with the same lead and radiation issues surrounding matcha from China, if purchasing matcha from Japan? I ask you these questions Ritsuo with the highest respect for you and your knowledge of matcha from Japan. 🙏
Hi Lucy,
Thank you for your message! In Japan we think that the best matcha is made in Kyoto. Nishio is not so famous for high quality matcha. Matcha brands in Nishio are trying to expand their business overseas very eagerly. Many people outside Japan still don’t know about Matcha well. So it might be easy to sell low grade matcha as high quality matcha or something like that… Please remember that I don’t say matcha in Nishio is not good.. You might find matcha from Nishio, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, etc… As far as I know, it is almost impossible to find a true high quality matcha in a supermarket or a grocery store outside Japan unfortunately. As for lead and radiation, you don’t need to concern about them. Japanese people have been drinking green tea for long long time and we have never had lead problem. Green tea farms in Japan (Shizuoka, Nishio, Kyoto, etc) are very far from Fukushima. We have been monitoring the radiation level on agriculture products still for the safety of our health. Only one thing you have to be careful about is that you should not drink too too much matcha in a day. You take too much caffeine. 🙂
I have prepared your culinary grade matcha for drinking plain, just like the higher grades, and I actually enjoy it very much that way.
Does culinary have the same health benefits as ceremonial matcha?
I recently Posted Fine Culinary Matcha
Just came across this post and can’t seem to order the Encha to try here in Canada? are you still able to find it and if so where?
Thanks
Hi Val, due to some current restrictions is seems like Encha is not shipping to Canada at this moment. My understanding is that this is temporary though. Hopefully they will be able to ship here again soon!
Thanks for the selection. I am in Australia have yo recommended any from here? I love the brand Matecha Green tea MATEcha, such a cute name and the matcha is so green and not bitter.
Can you please tell me which of these companies is Japanese owned? This is important information for me as a consumer. Thanks!
Hi Megan, Grace Matcha (the 2nd one on this list) is owned and operated out of Japan. I hope you’ll give them a try and love the experience!
Thanks for the detailed information about matcha green tea brands. This is such useful information!
The information above is very educational and relevant but I would like to add one more thing. If anyone is looking for high-quality green tea powder for a very competitive price, go to Matcha Outlet dot com. Their matcha can also be found on Amazon under MatchaOutlet brand. I did not find any other brand/store with a better price and a large number of very happy customers.
Matcha is love! My husband and I love to have matcha tea in the evening. It has many health benefits. Thankyou for sharing a valuable information with everyone.
As I am new to the matcha tea? Can you recommend me the best of the above 5 Matcha teas.
Hello! Anyone would be an excellent pick. I would recommend Grace & Green for easy shipping though, as I’m not sure where you are located and some on the list don’t ship worldwide!
Really helpful and informative guide about matcha. The brands mentioned are really important for me as matcha dealer.
Thank you for the list! I love matcha green tea, ceremonial grade. I’ve been using Encha but looking to try another brand. I’ll pick one from your list! 🙂