Matcha tea has only burst onto the western culinary scene relatively recently, but it’s been a popular flavor in Japan for over 1,000 years! It’s earthy, it’s energizing, and it’s umami – which adds a new rich layer to the flavors of America’s morning treats, which more often tend toward sweet like syrup or dark and bold like espresso.
Plus, the right blend of matcha also comes with some amazing benefits: think focus and clarity without those annoying post-coffee jitters, and even a powerful boost of nutrients and antioxidants that may lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation in the body.
But not all matcha tea is created equal.
Today, we’re going to break down what you should look for in a matcha tea blend, whether you’ve already picked up a sifter and bamboo whisk to make some matcha at home or just want to make health-conscious choices when ordering at your favorite coffee shop. Keep reading to get the scoop on:
- What is matcha?
- Best matcha tea for overall health
- Most authentic matcha tea you can order stateside
- Red flags that signal your matcha may not be giving you the best boost
So let’s get started… the tea is ready to serve 🍵
For Starters: What Is Matcha + How Is It Different from Regular Green Tea?
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Unlike traditional green tea, where the leaves are steeped in water and then removed, matcha involves grinding up the entire leaf into a powder – so you’re actually consuming the whole thing. This makes it richer in flavor, nutrients, and health benefits compared to a regular cup of green tea!
The process of producing matcha starts with shading the tea plants for several weeks before harvest, which boosts chlorophyll levels and gives the leaves their vibrant green color. After harvesting, the leaves are carefully steamed, dried, and stone-ground into an ultra-fine powder. Because you drink the whole leaf, matcha delivers higher concentrations of antioxidants, amino acids like L-theanine, and natural caffeine.
Flavor-wise, matcha is unique. It has a rich, earthy, and slightly sweet taste with a creamy mouthfeel, especially when whisked traditionally. Green tea, on the other hand, is lighter and more delicate since you’re only drinking an infusion of the leaves.
TLDR; Matcha is a finely ground powder that is a more potent, nutrient-dense, and versatile version of the green tea bags sitting in your cupboard – perfect for lattes, smoothies, and other recipes that call for some powerful umami flavor and an even more powerful antioxidant boost.
What Is the Best Matcha Tea?
When it comes to the best matcha tea on the market, we can be talking about a couple of different things. It really depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your cup of tea!
🍵 If your idea of the best matcha tea = biggest health benefits, that means finding matcha blends with clean ingredients, without unnecessary sugar and additives that can counteract those same benefits you’re looking for, and maybe even include ingredients that boost matcha’s effectiveness or provide other health-focused benefits to your wellness routine.
🍵 If your idea of the best matcha tea = the most authentic, that means finding matcha tea from traditional growers that will give you the most accurate taste of this ancient Japanese flavor available in the modern world.
Either way, we’ve pulled some great options for you.
🏅Best Matcha for Wellness: Dr. Emil Multi Collagen Peptides + Matcha
Explore Dr. Emil Multi Collagen Peptides + Matcha >>
Matcha isn’t just a tasty treat – it can be a powerful way to support your body with steady energy and lots of antioxidants that fight inflammation and help you feel your best. This doctor-formulated matcha powder will give you that rejuvenating boost you’re looking for, plus added support for your skin, hair, nails, and joints thanks to a comprehensive collagen blend that includes all five types of collagen.
The result? Support for mental clarity and cognition, mobility, staying hydrated, and a radiant complexion all in one powerful, delicious cup. Great on its own or added to your favorite milk for a creamy matcha latte or smoothie for a nutrient-dense way to start your morning.
🏅Best Matcha for Stress Relief: Every Dose Mushroom Matcha+
Explore Everyday Dose Mushroom Matcha+ >>
Look, plenty of people turn to coffee to start their morning… something to the tune of 101 million adults in the US alone. But coffee can also have some unwanted side effects. Notably for anyone dealing with stress or anxiety, the notorious coffee jitters. So if you’re considering matcha as a way to jumpstart your brain in the morning that doesn’t leave you feeling shaky and on edge until well after lunch, you might be interested in a matcha blend that incorporates other stress-fighting ingredients, too.
Enter Daily Dose.
We’re no stranger to mushrooms can help anxiety – particularly powerful nootropics like lion's mane, turkey tail, and chaga.
If you don’t mind the flavor and texture of a drink mix that contains mushrooms, Mushroom Matcha+ is a great way to get both of these powerful wellness boosters into your morning routine in one sip.
PS: If mushrooms in your matcha isn’t quite your jam, you can still elevate your mood, zap stress, and boost cognitive performance with a daily nootropic mushroom supplement in convenient capsules (read: a delivery method you don’t have to taste).
🏅Best Matcha for Authenticity: Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha
Explore Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha >>
Ippodo Tea is a family-run Japanese tea company that has been carefully cultivating matcha in the Kyoto region since 1717 – that’s over three centuries of experience! Not to mention, the Kyoto region is renowned for producing some of the best green tea in the world – and the misty mountain climate and mineral-rich soil make it uniquely suited to produce the shade-grown leaves that give matcha its distinct flavor. So if you’re looking for a matcha that will transport your tastebuds across oceans and across time, Ippodo is the one to beat.
Ippodo offers several varieties of matcha to cater to different palettes, whether you’re looking for something rich and robust like the Ummon blend above or something a little more mellow. You can even take their matcha quiz to get matched with your perfect blend.
🏅Best Matcha for Aesthetic Insta-Posts: Rocky’s Oishi Ceremonial Blend
Explore Rocky’s Oishi Ceremonial Blend >>
Matcha has been getting slammed on social media lately for being a “performative” red flag, but I don’t know. Maybe it’s the millennial in me, but personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sharing your most eye-catching morning drinks on Instagram… especially when they come in an equally eye-catching tin.
Rocky’s isn’t style without substance, though. Not only is the tea a beautiful green color, it also comes from Yame, Japan. So post this matcha with pride!
🏅Best Matcha for The Daily Drinker: Heapwell Premium Grade Matcha
Explore Heapwell Premium Grade Matcha >>
Okay, so you’re a bona fide matcha enthusiast. You’ve been dabbling in different blends for a while now, and you’re ready to commit to a cafe-grade, bulk matcha option. Sound like you?
For those looking to get the most matcha on a budget who aren’t worried about choosing the most historic tea grower or finding a blend that optimizes your wellness routine, consider Heapwell. The flavor is good – smooth, rich, and not too bitter – making it good for every day. And if you choose this bulk option, do be prepared to sip some every day. A 1lb bag might not sound like a lot, but when you consider how light matcha tea powder is… yes, it is.
Matcha Red Flags: Sneaky Signs Your Blend is *NOT* the Best
Not every matcha is worth your mug. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to tell whether you’re sipping a high-quality blend or settling for a subpar powder. Here are a few red flags to watch out for when choosing your matcha:
- Added sugar or sweeteners. Authentic matcha should be nothing but powdered green tea leaves. If you see sugar, stevia, or syrups on the label, it’s more of a dessert mix than true matcha.
- Fillers and additives. Ingredients like powdered milk, flavorings, or “detox” fillers are a sign of low-grade matcha being disguised. Pure matcha doesn’t need extras.
- Dull color. High-quality matcha is a vibrant, almost neon green. A yellowish or brownish hue usually means the leaves were lower quality or improperly stored.
- Bitter, flat taste. Good matcha should taste earthy, smooth, and slightly sweet. A harsh, overly bitter flavor points to poor-quality or old leaves.
- Misleading labels. Some brands call culinary-grade matcha “ceremonial” just to charge more. Culinary grade is fine for lattes and baking, but it’s not the same nutrient-dense powder used in tea ceremonies.
- No mention of antioxidants or L-theanine. Quality matcha is rich in EGCG (a powerful catechin) and calming L-theanine. If a brand glosses over this, they mayyyy not have much to highlight.
Ordering Matcha Out: Sip It Or Skip It?
Once you get hooked on the flavor of matcha, you might find yourself wanting to sample it every time you see it on a menu (guilty 🙋). But it’s important to keep in mind – particularly if you’re looking to reap the health benefits of matcha – that most cafe matcha blends are created with flavor rather than wellness in mind… so unfortunately, many matcha treats and drinks you can order at your favorite cafe will come with components like high-fat milk, lots of sweetener, and other additions that might taste amazing but ultimately work against your health goals.
For example, here’s a quick comparison of medium matcha drinks at some of our favorite coffee chains:
🍵 A grande (16 oz) Starbucks Matcha Latte contains 32g of sugar
🍵 A medium (16 oz) Caribou Coffee Vanilla Matcha Latte contains 38g of sugar
🍵 A medium (16 oz) Dunkin’ Iced Matcha Latte contains 32g of sugar
That’s about the same amount of sugar that you’ll find in a regular 12 oz can of soda.
Which is not to say you shouldn’t indulge in a matcha-based sweet treat just because you love the flavor – they’re super yummy! But if wellness or weight loss is on your radar, it’s like any other treat: best in moderation.
So What Is the Best Matcha Tea? It Depends What You Want to Get Out Of It.
At the end of the day, the “best” matcha tea really depends on what you’re looking for. Maybe you want the cleanest, most nutrient-packed option to fuel your health goals. Maybe you’re after authentic, centuries-old Japanese blends that connect you to tradition. Or maybe you just want a smooth, everyday matcha that tastes great in your morning latte without breaking the bank.
What’s most important is that your matcha is the real deal. Skip the blends with added sugars, fillers, or mystery ingredients, and look for powders that are bright green, finely ground, and transparent about their sourcing. If a brand highlights antioxidants like EGCG and amino acids like L-theanine, even better—that means you’re getting matcha’s signature focus-and-calm benefits, not just a green-colored drink.
As matcha’s popularity continues to grow in the U.S., so do the choices. That’s a good thing—but it also makes it more important than ever to know how to separate the high-quality blends from the not-so-great ones.
So, whether you’re whisking up a traditional bowl at home or snapping a quick latte pic for Instagram, make sure your matcha lives up to the hype. Your tastebuds—and your body—will thank you. 🍵
