Here are my picks for the best matcha powders, whether you sip it straight, use it in a latte, or add it to your baked goods for extra flavor. You’ll also find information on what to consider before choosing the right matcha for your needs.

Matcha (抹茶), which literally translates to “powdered tea,” is one of the most well-known means of tea preparation in Japan. It’s known for its mildly bitter flavor and versatility, especially as it’s grown in popularity in the U.S. If you’re in the market to enjoy yummy matcha beverages from the comfort of your own home, I’ve put together a list of the best matcha powders to use. 

best matcha powders

To create my list of the best matcha powders, I used my years of experience as a matcha drinker. I’ve seen matcha expand to online retailers, and now there’s a ton of different options to choose from! I personally love the Sayaka Matcha from Ippodo Tea, but there are other great options for iced matcha lattes, baked goods, and more.

Ahead, you can keep reading to discover my suggestions for the best matcha powders!

My Top Picks: 

  1. What’s in My Kitchen: Ippodo Tea Sayaka Matcha – $34.90 at Amazon
  2. Best Ceremonial Matcha Powder: Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend – $23.99 at Amazon
  3. Best Matcha Powder for Baking: Maeda-en Shiki Matcha Green Tea Powder – $12.90 at Amazon
  4. Best Matcha Powder for Iced Lattes: Third Culture Matcha – $78 at Third Culture Bakery
  5. Best Splurge Matcha: Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha – $50 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best Matcha Powder

1. What’s in My Kitchen: Ippodo Tea Sayaka Matcha 

Ippodo Tea Sayaka Matcha 

Kyoto-based Ippodo Tea was one of my go-to tea purveyors when I lived in Japan. They offer all sorts of excellent teas, and after I moved to the United States in 1997, I would stock up on their products whenever I’d visit family and friends in Japan. They didn’t have much of a presence in the U.S. market until the 2010s, when they opened a retail shop in New York and started selling online. Since then, I’ve purchased their teas regularly and have yet to be disappointed! 

This Sayaka Matcha blend is my go-to because it is a good, all-purpose matcha that tastes great. Though it’s not explicitly marketed as ceremonial (Japan-based brands like Ippodo typically don’t use that term), it would definitely fit into that category. You can use it in traditional Japanese matcha preparations mixed with just hot water, but it makes a nice matcha latte when mixed with milk. 

The Specs:

  • Amount: 40 grams
  • Organic?: No
  • Diet Type: Plant-based
  • Recommended Uses: Usucha, koicha, and matcha latte
  • Price: $24.78/ounce

The Pros:

  • From well-respected Kyoto tea seller
  • Rich enough for matcha fans but still approachable for beginners
  • All-purpose matcha powder for drinks

The Cons:

  • Expensive 
  • Not recommended for baking
  • Some reviewers say it clumps up and can be difficult to make into smooth drink

What Others Are Saying:

It has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 2,000 reviewers.

Buy the Ippodo Tea – Sayaka Matcha: 


2. Best Ceremonial Matcha Powder: Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend

Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend
Credit: Amazon

Naoki Matcha is another brand that I really like! After years of drinking it, I know that they offer consistent quality at a reasonable price point. This Superior Ceremonial Blend is, in my opinion, the best intersection between affordability and quality. I find that it’s a great choice for a tea ceremony when introducing guests to matcha, especially since it won’t break the bank and has a toned-down bitter taste. That said, if you’re looking for a more complex matcha and are not concerned with price, Ujitawara Special is Naoki’s highest-end matcha and it is of truly exceptional quality. 

The Specs:

  • Amount: 40 grams
  • Organic?: No
  • Diet Type: Gluten-free
  • Recommended Uses: Usucha, matcha latte, cold brew matcha
  • Price: $17.14/ounce

The Pros:

  • Good quality for the price
  • Has the ‘ceremonial grade’ title
  • Mild flavors great for an introduction to matcha
  • From a brand I’ve known for years that is consistently reliable

The Cons:

  • Mellow flavors may not be for seasoned matcha drinkers
  • There are higher quality offerings from this brand (though they cost a lot more)
  • Not recommended for baking

What Others Are Saying:

It has a 4.6-star rating from more than 3,100 Amazon buyers. 

Buy the Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend: 


3. Best Matcha Powder for Baking: Maeda-en Shiki Matcha Green Tea Powder

Maeda-en Shiki Matcha Green Tea Powder
Credit: Amazon

In the early 2010s, before high-end matchas became widely available in the U.S., Maeda-en’s Shiku Matcha Green Tea Powder was one of the most popular matcha brands to buy. I’ve used it a ton and have found that it’s a good option for rich treats like sweet lattes and baked goods. It’s especially great for baking because milk, butter, and sugar don’t overwhelm the matcha flavor, making this powder a good option for yummy matcha cookies or my matcha tiramisu. With baking, you’re also looking for matcha’s color as much as its flavor, and that comes through quite well with this pick. 

The Specs:

  • Amount: 1 ounce
  • Organic?: Not stated
  • Diet Type: Free from artificial colors or flavors
  • Recommended Uses: Baking, usucha
  • Price: $12.90/ounce

The Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Strong matcha taste and color
  • Familiar brand
  • Great choice for baking

The Cons:

  • Lower quality
  • Some Amazon reviewers found that the powder doesn’t dissolve well

What Others Are Saying:

It has a 4.4-star rating from more than 650 Amazon shoppers.

Buy the Maeda-en Shiki Matcha Green Tea Powder: 


4. Best Matcha Powder for Iced Lattes: Third Culture Matcha

Third Culture Matcha
Credit: Third Culture Bakery

It may not be a surprise that my household goes through a lot of matcha — but the biggest consumers are actually my two kids, both of whom enjoy a big iced matcha latte every morning! Because we go through so much matcha for this, my go-to is this larger package from my friends at the Bay Area’s Third Culture Bakery. It’s the same matcha that they use in their delicious lattes, and it’s sourced directly from the farm in Uji Kyoto, Japan. 

I like to pick up this 12-ounce bag but they also offer a smaller 4-ounce one , which I would recommend if you don’t think you can go through the larger bag within a few weeks of opening. Tip: Matcha is not a shelf-stable product, which means it can quickly start to develop off-flavors when exposed to oxygen or light. In other words — drink your matcha fresh!

The Specs:

  • Amount: 4 ounces
  • Organic?: Not stated
  • Diet Type: Dairy-, gluten-, and nut-free, vegan
  • Recommended Uses: Hot or iced matcha lattes
  • Price: $6.50/ounce

The Pros:

  • Makes a great latte
  • Supports an Asian-American owned small business
  • Two size options
  • Directly sourced from Japan

The Cons:

  • Doesn’t make a great simple matcha with hot water
  • 12-ounce package may be too large for people 

What Others Are Saying:

Besides this being a staple in my household, Eating the World also highlighted the shop’s drinks as their favorite matcha in the Bay Area. 

Buy the Third Culture Matcha (12oz): 


5. Best Splurge Matcha: Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha 

Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha 
Credit: Amazon

If you’re a matcha aficionado looking for intense and complex flavors, look no further than Ummon Matcha from legendary Kyoto tea sellers, Ippodo Tea. This matcha has been well regarded in Japan for decades, and for good reason: It offers a powerful umami flavor, a beautiful fragrance, and a slightly bitter taste that reviewers love.

I wouldn’t use it for lattes or baked goods since you’re likely to miss some of that complex flavor and aroma, but it’s a great option for matcha tea lovers. It’s also the most expensive matcha on this list per ounce, but I still think it’s a worthy splurge.

The Specs:

  • Amount: 40 grams
  • Organic?: No
  • Diet Type: Plant-based
  • Recommended Uses: Usucha, koicha, iced matcha
  • Price: $36.22/ounce

The Pros:

  • Intense, complex flavors
  • Has been popular in Japan for decades
  • Could make a nice gift

The Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Not ideal for lattes or baking

What Others Are Saying:

It has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon and Bon Appetit dubbed it as the best splurge matcha powder. The Strategist also named it as their best overall pick for the best matcha powders.

Buy the Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha: 


Other Matcha Powders to Consider

FGO Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder

This culinary-grade option sold by From Good Origins (FGO) is one of the top selling matcha powders on Amazon. It’s an affordable option but I can’t speak too much to the quality of the matcha itself. Additionally, it’s marketed to be organic, which definitely isn’t a bad thing — however, I would note that it’s difficult to provide sufficient nutrients to shade-grown tea with organic fertilizers. The FGO Organic Green Tea Powder is available at Amazon for $19.99.

Golde Pure Matcha

This ceremonial grade matcha from US-based superfood brand Golde is, according to professional critics, a great choice for making matcha lattes. Writers from both Bon Appetit and The Strategist named it as their top pick for this. While it is probably a decent matcha, it didn’t make my top picks because it’s pretty pricey for the small amount you get. The Golde Pure Matcha is available at Amazon for $28.

Chamberlain Coffee Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder

I’ll admit that I originally wondered why anyone would want to add extra flavor other than green tea to matcha powder, but it did make Bon Appetit’s roundup of the best matcha powders. It may be a good option for those who don’t love the signature bitter taste, but you can count me out — I like my matcha to taste like matcha rather than artificial vanilla.The Chamberlain Coffee Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder is available at Amazon for $24.

Kiwami Single Origin Ceremonial Matcha

This single-origin matcha boasts gorgeous packaging and a sustainably sourced formula to match. Between that and the fact the tea leaves can be traced to a single farm, it’s an interesting concept. It’s definitely a little too expensive for the amount you receive at $41.51 per ounce. Considering that, and the fact that it has limited Amazon reviews, it just wasn’t enough to make my top picks.The Kiwami Single Origin Ceremonial Matcha is available at Amazon for $44.


best matcha powders

Why You Can Trust Me

Growing up immersed in Japanese food culture, I developed a deep appreciation for the significance of tea in its many forms, including matcha. Throughout my life, I’ve participated in Japanese tea ceremonies, drunk matcha as part of my daily routine, and even developed some of my own matcha-based recipes. Through these experiences, I’ve learned what makes the best matcha powders. 

Everything to Know Before Buying Matcha Powder

What to Consider Before Buying Matcha Powder

Use: The first thing to consider when buying matcha powder is what you intend to use it for. If you plan to use it to make a traditional Japanese matcha where the powder is whisked with only hot water before drinking, then you’ll want to opt for a higher quality matcha (sometimes marketed in the U.S. as ‘ceremonial grade’). This is so you will be able to taste all the nuances (or imperfections) in the tea. 

If you are planning to mix your matcha with other rich ingredients (a latte or baked goods),, then you don’t necessarily need a very high end matcha since some of the imperfections will be overpowered by the other ingredients. More affordable matcha powders intended for this sort of use are sometimes marketed as ‘culinary grade’ in the U.S.

Source: In general, the best matcha is harvested in Japan, particularly in places like Kyoto, Shizuoka, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima. Sourcing info is usually available in the product description.

Texture and Color: Freshness is key with matcha, so check for an expiration date and color. If it isn’t a vibrant green but rather yellow or brownish in color, that’s one indication that your matcha quality may have deteriorated due to age or improper storage. Finally, check the texture. High quality matcha shouldn’t be gritty, but should be smooth like baby powder.

What is Matcha Powder?

Matcha (抹茶) is the finely ground leaves of shade-grown green tea (camellia sinensis). It is traditionally ground using stone and was first consumed by Japanese monks as a way of centering themselves during meditation. Today, matcha plays an important role in Japanese society more broadly, including through a highly ritualized tea ceremony. 

In Japan, matcha is most often prepared by whisking the powder with hot water. However, it is also consumed in traditional sweets known as wagashi, various baked goods, and ice cream. As matcha’s popularity has expanded outside of Japan in recent decades, its applications have extended to everything from lattes and smoothies to energy drinks.

best matcha powders

What are the Benefits of Matcha Powder?

With most types of tea, tea leaves are infused into hot water then removed. With matcha, whole-ground tea leaves are mixed in hot water. As a result, matcha provides a more concentrated dose of the healthy compounds found in regular green tea, including antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, iron, fiber, and L-theanine. 

Antioxidants can boost concentration and memory and increase energy levels. L-theanine can help reduce stress and blood pressure. Some studies have found that consumption of green tea can promote fat burn and the maintenance of healthy body weight.

Does Matcha Powder Expire? 

Yes, matcha can go bad. If well sealed, packaged matcha should last for about six months at room temperature. After the package has been opened, matcha should be consumed within 2-3 weeks. 

To extend this period, remove as much air from the package and seal tightly. Storage at cool temperatures in the fridge or freezer can extend the life of matcha, but if you opt to store it this way, note that it can easily pick up the aromas of items around it, even when completely sealed. 

Ultimately, the primary enemies of matcha’s freshness are oxygen, strong scents, light, high temperature, and high humidity, so try to keep your matcha away from these things.

A bowl containing shaved ice, drizzled with matcha syrup and topped with red bean paste, shiratama dango, sweetened condensed milk, and green tea ice cream.

How Can You Use Matcha Powder?

Matcha powder can be used in a wide variety of ways. Traditionally, in Japan, it is whisked with hot water to make a beverage for sipping. It has also been used in sweets and baked goods. You can also use it to make drinks like hot or iced lattes, lemonade, smoothies, and even hot chocolate!

Does Matcha Powder Have Caffeine?

Yes, like most tea, matcha powder has caffeine. For reference, an average serving of black tea contains 47 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, green tea has 28 mg, and matcha has 70 mg per cup. The high levels of caffeine in matcha have to do with how it is prepared, by mixing ground tea leaves into water rather than simply steeping tea leaves in water before removing them.

The Best Matcha Recipes

best matcha powders

The possibilities when making drinks and food with matcha powder are nearly endless, but a good place to start would be with the simple, traditional Japanese preparation which involves whisking the powder into hot water.. Once you’ve mastered that, check out my 20 Matcha Recipes You Must Try At Home

Some of my personal favorites include:

Prices were accurate at time of publication. 

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