by Elizabeth Hayes
From ceremonial grade to everyday lattes, I tested countless brands to find the best matcha for every need and budget.
As someone who begins most of my mornings with a matcha latte, I've gone through my fair share of green powder. Over time, I've tried the brands in your neighborhood Whole Foods, the trendy Instagram brands, and pricey ceremonial grades. After whisking (and frothing) away for quite some time now, I've found that the best matcha for someone depends on a variety of factors including how they plan to use it, taste preference, and how much they're willing to spend.
Whether you're a matcha purist who drinks matcha straight with hot water, someone who needs convenience for busy mornings or work breaks, or someone looking to add a distinctive green color to your cookies, there's something for you. Here are my top picks, depending on who you are and what you're looking for.
For the Purist: Kettl
Score: 5/5
If you consider yourself a serious matcha connoisseur, Kettl is going to be the brand for you. A single-origin, ceremonial-grade powder sourced directly from Japanese tea farms, you can taste the difference immediately. Kettl offers not just a smooth flavor without bitterness, but its vibrant color is a work of art. Whisk it properly and you'll have just the right amount of foam.
Now, no product is perfect. My biggest criticism of Kettl is that it's expensive. Very expensive. This product is for those who want top-tier matcha. Just like wine, coffee, and chocolate, there are levels to this. Kettl's at the top, though it may not be suitable for someone who buys matcha for home after purchasing it at your everyday neighborhood café. Your local establishments aren't using this high of a quality, not even close, and the majority of matcha latte drinkers can't tell the difference. As such, save this one for special mornings or when you're serving guests who'll actually appreciate it.
Available at https://www.kettl.co/.
For Convenience Without Compromise: Shinzo Matcha
Score: 5/5
My secret weapon for weekday mornings when I'm rushing out the door or grabbing a quick break during a packed workday is Shinzo Matcha. The thing I love most about Shinzo is not only does it taste amazing, but it's amazingly convenient. Unlike the big tubs or bags of matcha that are common, Shinzo offers single-serve packets with flavors that taste incredible. Not to mention, the base matcha is good quality and smooth (a plain ceremonial grade option is available, which is the same grade used in the stick packs). So, you're still getting a good matcha grade, not a subpar grade that's simply masked by the flavor.
Just tear open a packet, add milk (I prefer oat milk, but whole, 2%, and certainly almond milk works just as well), froth, and you're done. I was a bit skeptical of flavored matcha in packets at first because I'm so used to bags, tins, and tubs with a large number of servings. But Shinzo changed my mind. If you're a small-batch matcha connoisseur that seeks only the rarest grades, then Shinzo might not be for you. But for everyone else, the convenience factor is unbeatable for a simple at-home latte that tastes great, portable travel, the office, or those mornings when doing anything beyond the bare minimum feels impossible. Keep these stick packs in your cabinet or desk drawer. They're absolutely delicious and you'll thank yourself later.
Available at https://shinzomatcha.com/.
For Everyday Drinking That Won't Break the Bank: Jade Leaf
Score: 4/5
Jade Leaf's a matcha I reach for when I'm looking for something standard, reliable, and reasonably priced. It's widely available, which is especially relevant if you're someone who goes through a tin every couple of weeks. While this is mass-market matcha, it's done right.
The flavor's clean and grassy without being overly bitter, and while Jade Leaf's not quite as refined as ceremonial grades, it's more than good enough for drinking straight or making lattes. The price point makes it easy to commit without feeling like you're gambling with expensive powder. It's the reliable workhorse of the matcha world and if you're a regular, routine matcha drinker seeking good taste and value, Jade Leaf may be exactly what you need.
Available at https://www.jadeleafmatcha.com/.
For Budget-Conscious Beginners: Matcha DNA
Score: 3.5/5
Look, I'm going to be honest: Matcha DNA's not high-grade matcha powder. The color's a bit duller, the texture's coarser, and you'll notice more bitterness than other brands if you drink it straight. At the same time, it's definitely not bottom-of-the-barrel matcha. Just don't expect it to wow the matcha elitists of the world. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend serving this to guests or using it for a tea ceremony.
Matcha DNA has multiple advantages, especially if you're an occasional consumer or beginner in the matcha space. Even if you're still figuring out if you even like matcha, Matcha DNA's a great starting point to experiment. Specifically, you can blend this grade into a (likely heavily sweetened) latte or blend into a smoothie with banana and almond milk, and it gets the job done. You're still getting antioxidants, a gentle caffeine boost, and that distinctive matcha flavor. Think of Matcha DNA as your practice powder or your "I'm learning my way in the matcha world" powder.
Available at https://www.matchadna.com/.
For Baking, Cooking, and Everything Else: Navitas Organics
Score: 3.5/5
My love for matcha's so great that I don't just sip it, but use it in my cooking adventures! Whether I'm making matcha cookies, adding it to pancake batter, or getting a bit creative and making a chia pudding with a little matcha, I reach for Navitas Organics every time. This is culinary-grade matcha, which means it's designed specifically for cooking and baking. So, proceed with caution if putting it in a latte or, even worse, drinking it straight because that's not the purpose this serves. The flavor's more robust and more bitter than many matchas, but this is matcha that works well when you're mixing it with flour and other ingredients.
The price is right for using matcha in larger quantities, and since you're not drinking it straight (at least you're not supposed to), the lack of ceremonial-grade refinement doesn't matter. I've made matcha cheesecakes, protein powder matcha energy balls, and other culinary projects with Navitas powder. The color and flavor always come through beautifully. If you're a baker or cook who wants to experiment with matcha beyond the mug, get yourself a bag of this and have fun with it!
Available at https://navitasorganics.com/.
The Bottom Line
After years of daily matcha consumption, I've learned that there's no single "best" matcha, only the best matcha for what you're doing with it. I keep Kettl for special occasions, use Shinzo packets (vanilla and mocha are my go-to) at home and at work daily, and Navitas on hand for when I'm feeling creative in the kitchen.
