Rounding Up the Winners:
The Best Matcha Powder for Your Drinks
[2020 Update]
Have you gotten aboard the matcha craze yet? After all, there is just so much to like about this drink.
It is delicious and good for you!
Of course, constantly buying matcha lattes from expensive tea or coffee shops can take a toll on your wallet.
It is far better – and healthier – for you to just stock up on your own ingredients. Fortunately for you, we have rounded up the best matcha powders on the market.
Let’s get to it!
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If you want to enjoy the very best matcha on the market, you should go with the Jade Leaf brand.
Looking for something to flavor your matcha-based beverages? Then this matcha powder will do the trick.
The Encha brand ensures that its matcha leaves are grown in the safest and best conditions to produce a superior powder.
What is Matcha Powder?
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Although there's been quite a bit of fuss made over matcha, you may not exactly know what it is.
To put it simply, matcha is a type of green tea. Here, the young green tea leaves are steamed and ground into a fine powder.
Unlike with many other types of tea leaves, matcha leaves are grown in shade. As such, they have a much higher chlorophyll content.
Due to this, they often contain more nutrients as well.
The matcha powder isn’t steeped in water. Instead, the water and powder are vigorously whisked together to form a frothy drink.
Matcha Powder Grades
No, all matcha powders aren't alike. There are two grades of matcha – ceremonial and culinary grade.
Ceremonial grade matcha is the superior version as it is taken from incredibly young green tea leaves. It is sweeter and works best when making matcha-based drinks.
Naturally, it is the more expensive option as well.
Culinary matcha is made from slightly older leaves and has a bitter tinge to it. This is why it is best reserved for various dishes and desserts.
How to Choose the Best Matcha Green Tea
There are a few guidelines you should follow when selecting matcha powder. They are as follows:
Look for Japanese Matcha
It’s a good idea to get matcha powder that was sourced and processed in Japan. This is because you are more likely to get a better quality powder.
Understand, in the US, there aren't too many parameters to ensure matcha quality. Due to this, it can be difficult to know whether you are buying a premium powder.
It is far better to opt for a Japanese type as standards are often better maintained in this region.
Consider the Color and Texture
As mentioned, matcha powder comes from young green leaves that have been steamed. Due to this, oxidation of the leaves has been severely limited.
This is why good quality matcha is often bright green. So, if you have the opportunity to check the powder beforehand, you should.
The matcha powder should be finely ground so that it can dissolve in the water more easily.
Pay Attention to Packaging
Matcha needs to be stored properly. This helps to maintain the quality, taste, and freshness of the powder.
Thus, look for matcha powder that is available in tin form. These tend to have fresher and better-tasting powders, although it isn’t a guarantee.
Select Organic, If Possible
There were some concerns about lead and other toxins in matcha for a while. However, studies have proven that there weren’t a significant amount of toxins found in samples.
Nevertheless, buying organic matcha green tea powder may help to negate any risks and put your mind at ease.
The Best Matcha Brands
These are the top matcha powder brands you can choose from:
Best Ceremonial Grade Matcha
Best Culinary Grade Matcha
Best Organic Matcha
So, there you have it – your guide to the best matcha powders on the market. Follow these guidelines and you are sure to end up with a delicious and wholesome product.