Top 5 Matcha Tea Products
A cup of Matcha in the morning can improve energy way more than coffee and help concentrate better.
The same as Green tea, Matcha is derived from a plant called Camellia Sinensis. While the first one usually comes in the form of tea bags or green leaves, Matcha is a fine powder.
Many people prefer Matcha over green tea because they think it is more concentrated than regular green tea. Moreover, its drying method makes Matcha rich.
Two types of Matcha are more popular among consumers: Ceremonial and Culinary. These two are very similar, but they have some differences that distinguish them.
Ceremonial grade can be mixed into hot water and used as tea. It is made from young leaves of the tea plant that come from the first harvest.
Culinary grade Matcha is also made from young tea leaves, but they are a little older and used in lattes, baked goods, and other recipes.
Due to the significant number of Matcha products and brands on the market, it is quite difficult to choose the best one.
In this article, my team and I compared 5 top Matcha products in the market to find the best one based on origin, colour, texture, taste, and package.
Our Winner Golden Herbs Matcha Green Tea Powder
Top 5 Matcha Tea Powders
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Information
We analyzed different aspects of the most rated products, and because of its fascinating features, Golden Herbs Matcha green tea powder took first place on our list.
1.1. Origin
When it comes to Matcha, the origin is highly essential. Golden Herbs Matcha comes directly from the best farms of Uji, Kyoto in Japan, which is the best-known source of the highest quality Matcha powder in the world.
Moreover, the fact that it's certified organic by USDA and OCIA assures that this matcha powder doesn't contain pesticides, additives, and artificial fillers.
These facts assured us that Golden Herbs had put tremendous efforts into acquiring the highest standards in quality control, guaranteeing their products' authenticity.
1.2. Color, scent, and texture
Its vibrant green colour and sweet aroma indicate that this product is fresh and has been appropriately stored. Also, the Matcha powder particle size is only 5-10 microns, meaning that it is finely ground.
We first noticed that it dissolved perfectly in 80°C water, which is the optimum temperature for making Matcha tea.
During the process, the smell of natural Matcha filled the whole room, and since Golden Herbs uses the famous shade-growing method, its matcha tea had a smooth, sweet, and creamy flavour that everyone would find pleasant.
1.3 Packaging
The unique design of Golden Herbs Matcha prevents oxidation. This packaging protects the Matcha powder against light, air exposure, and pressure.
GoldenHerb Matcha tins are 100 percent recyclable and are not harmful to the environment.
Bottom-line
Golden Herbs Matcha is what I was looking for in the market. Japanese origin, great scent and colour, and excellent packaging convinced us to choose it as the number one pick on our list. Also, we called it a green product because of characteristics like recyclable packaging and being organic.
Pros:
- Originated in the best farms of Uji, Kyoto in Japan
- Certified organic by USDA and OCIA
- Superior texture, color and taste
- Shade-growing method for greater taste and higher antioxidant properties
- Without any pesticides, additives and artificial fillers
- Dissolves in water well
- Recyclable and environmental friendly packaging
Cons:
- Only Available Online
- Goes Out of Stock Pretty Fast
2. Akira Matcha Green Tea Powder
Information
Akira Matcha is a well-known product in the market and based on its features, it took the second spot on our list.
2.1. Origin
Akira matcha comes directly from farms in Japan. Also, like the first product, Golden Herbs Matcha, it is certified by USDA and JAS, which introduce this product as 100% organic Matcha tea.
2.2. Color, scent, and texture
When I rub this powder between my fingers, I understand it has a fine texture and dissolves in water well. Although the colour was bright, compared to that of Golden Herbs it looked a little dull. It also tasted slightly bitterer, which could be improved by adding honey or a sweetener.
2.3. Packaging
This matcha powder is packaged in a great tin that maintains its freshness. But compared to other competitors, this product comes with a tab that should be pulled, and it's a bit inconvenient. Based on these reports, opening the tin for people with less agile hands can become a problem.
Bottom-line
Akira Matcha is a great choice in the market. Aside from its packaging, which is not that convenient, the Match is organic and has a Japanese origin. The taste of this product is bitterer compared with Golden Herbs Matcha and I prefer the first one. My team and I still believe Herbs Matcha is the best choice.
Pros:
- Japanese origin
- Certified organic by USDA
- Fine texture and color
- Without any pesticides and additives
- Dissolves in water well
Cons:
- Tastes bitterer compared to our ranked #1 product
- Inconvenient packaging
- Only available online
3. uVernal Matcha Green Tea Powder
Information
uVernal Match is another good Matcha product in the market. Like the other two, it doesn't contain any filler or binder.
3.1. Origin
This product is sourced in China, unlike the other two ( Golden Herbs Matcha and Akira Matcha). It is also certified by USDA and proceeded under federal guidelines.
3.2. Color, scent, and texture
The powder looks darker compared to other brands. It tasted bitterer than we expected, and sweeteners are recommended. On the bright side, the texture is good, and you will get a creamy foam, but it is less than what we expected.
3.3. Packaging
uVernal Matcha is packaged in zip lock bags that maintains its freshness well, but it cannot protect it against pressure. Moreover, some users believe the information on the package is inadequate. Some users also claimed that a portion of the tea powder is wasted as it sticks to the bag due to static electricity.
3.4. Bottom-line
uVernal Matcha is certified by USDA and is 100% organic without any fillers and additives. But, we put it in the third place because of its Chinese origin, bitter taste, dull green colour, and packaging. .
Pros:
- Certified organic by USDA
- Good texture
- Without any artificial fillers and additive
Cons:
- Chinese origin
- Bitter taste
- Dull green color
- Packaging needs improvement
4. Encha Matcha Green Tea Powder
Information
Encha Matcha Green Tea Powder is the product name I used before finding GoldenHebs Matcha. I put it on my list for its quality and origin.
4.1. Origin
Encha Matcha is a brand that originated in Japan and is certified by USDA as an organic product. This Matcha, like Golden Herbs Matcha, is grown in Uji, where the best green tea fields are located.
4.2. Color, scent, and texture
The colour and taste are delicate, but as a person who has been drinking Matcha for at least 20 years, I prefer Golden Herbs Matcha. Plus, when I rubbed the powder between my fingers, I could feel the difference between the sizes of the particles. Therefore, to use it, I tried to sift it before using it.
Moreover, compared to our number one choice, we noticed it took longer to dissolve in hot water.
4.3. Packaging
The packaging is exactly like the third product, zip lock bags that maintain freshness. I do not prefer this packaging because of the way it wastes Matcha.
Bottom-line
Encha Matcha Green Tea Powder is certified by USDA for its organic origin and the way it is processed according to federal guidelines. On the other hand, it needs stiffing and doesn't dissolve well in the water because of uneven grinding. Therefore, we preferred the other 3 product over this one.
Pros:
- Japanese origin
- Certified organic by USDA
- Convenient packaging
Cons:
- Needs stiffing
- Dissolving in water takes longer compared to other competitors
- Uneven grinding
5. Matcha Love Culinary Grade Matcha Tea
Information
Matcha Love Culinary Grade Matcha Tea is a product made by Ito En. Although the producer company is well-known, the product hasn't hit the spot well, and I couldn't put it above other competitors.
5.1. Origin
Although the information on the product page is not sufficiently detailed, it seems that this product comes from Japan. Still, there is no trace of certificates like USDA and OCIA to prove the organic origin.
5.2. Color, scent, and texture
I expected to see a vibrant green colour when I opened the package. Alas! The colour did not surprise me, and it wasn't very interesting. Considering the price, it has a bland taste too. Plus, in comparison with other products, the texture is not even.
5.3. Packaging
The packaging is exactly like the previous two products and has their drawbacks.
Bottom-line
Matcha Love Culinary Grade Matcha comes from a trusted company. Unfortunately, the information about its organic origin is not sufficient. The colour and scent were not what I expected, and compared with other brands, it's a bit expensive. Therefore, we have chosen it as the final product on our list.
Pros:
- Suitable for cooking and baking
- Convenient packaging
Cons:
- Expensive
- Dull color
- Can only be used for cooking and baking
Shade Grown Methode: Highest Quality Matcha
Manufacturing fine tea is a noble art. Many factors are deciding the quality of tea that a tea maker has to consider at every step. The impact of sunlight is one of them. Compared to traditional green tea, the production of matcha requires the tea leaves to be protected from sunlight.
The shade-growing method was invented about 400 years ago when some producers noticed that fields that were shaded from the sun by their natural environment produced mellower flavors than the fields exposed to direct sunlight. By artificially shading their fields, the manufacturers were able to imitate nature and give their tea a mellow flavor.
These days when spring arrives, between 4 and 6 weeks before a harvest, the tea plants destined to become matcha are covered from direct sunlight. This method is done in different ways like a tarp or a few straw panels.
Tea experts believe that tea grown under such intense shade has increased levels of chlorophyll which gives the leaves the vibrant jade green color for premium matcha. And the amount of tea amino acid in the leaves dramatically increases, giving the tea a smooth and sweet character.
How To Prepare Matcha?
Matcha is high in antioxidants and vitamin C, and it can offer many health benefits. So drinking this lovely tea should be your new morning routine from now on.
Here you can learn how to make it in a traditional way as well as how to make it if you don’t have the right tools.
1. Heat your water to about 175 F or 80 C. make sure you don’t use boiling water because it can give you a bitter taste.
2. Sift 1-2 teaspoons of matcha into a cup ,using a small sifter
3. Pour about 2oz or 60 milliliters of water over your matcha tea
4. Use your bamboo wisk and gently swipe in a zigzag motion until the tea is well blended. Know the moves need to be quick but light.
You will know it’s ready when the creamy foam is formed. So what if you don’t have a bamboo whisk, don’t worry you can still make a delicious matcha tea. Use a tiny frother or a French press in the place of a bamboo whisk to have a cup of matcha tea.