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Last Updated: June 8, 2024, 7:09 p.m.

Matcha is a powdered green tea that originated in China but was popularized in Japan. The green tea leaves used to make matcha are processed to increase their chlorophyll content and stimulate the production of amino acids, particularly L-theanine. After harvesting, the leaves are steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Matcha has a distinct umami flavor and is a very versatile ingredient used in lattes, smoothies, desserts, and savory dishes. It’s praised for being high in antioxidants and having a caffeine content that’s less than coffee but higher than regular green tea.

Our research for the best matcha powders looked at flavor, ingredient quality, health claims/properties, and packaging. The HANDPICK Matcha Powder takes the top spot because it is sourced and packaged directly in Japan, has a smooth taste, and aids digestion.

The Best Matcha Powder Buying Guide

Tired of the same old hot cocoa or coffee in the morning? Try green tea instead. This guide will cover what you need to know about matcha powder.

What Is Matcha Powder?

Simply put, matcha powder is a powdered and crushed-up form of the matcha green tea plant. Matcha powder is available in loose leaf or tea bag form, and you can mix it with water to drink. You may even add milk or sweeteners such as sugar to enhance the flavor or texture of the tea. Most of the premium matcha powder products you’ll find online and on shelves come from plants that grow in places throughout Japan such as Uji. Japan is well-known for its matcha products, and the tea powder is often associated with the country, but that’s not where the tea originally came from.

Is Matcha Chinese or Japanese?

While Japan is said to have perfected the cultivation and creation of matcha and matcha powder, matcha actually came from China. Like many other popular teas and tea-like drinks, the first traces of matcha can be traced back to China. For the past 800 years or so Japan has slowly improved and perfected the plant to become the matcha we know and love today. So while matcha is technically Chinese in terms of origin, it’s Japan where the tea actually took off.

Health Benefits of Matcha Powder

Matcha doesn’t just taste great — it’s also extremely healthy. Many experts and scientists have done extensive research on matcha powder and its effects on the human body, and many of them have pointed to the conclusion that matcha powder is a lot better for you than you think. Here are some of matcha powder’s benefits.

It may prevent or slow down cancer

One of matcha powder’s most surprising potential benefits is the fact that it can either prevent or slow down cancer. In one example, scientists used green tea extract on rats that had breast cancer cells and tumors. These rats ended up with smaller tumors and their cancer cell growth rates shot down. Of course, these are only animal studies, and humans have very different bodies, but these are good indicators of the healthy nature of matcha powder, if nothing else.

It’s full of antioxidants

If you’ve ever done research on health-related products before, then you probably know about things called antioxidants. In short, antioxidants are compounds that fight off free radicals in your body, which are substances that can harm your body if left unchecked. Basically, antioxidants help with regulation, and matcha green tea is basically full of the stuff. There are many types of green tea, but matcha is said to contain up to 137 times more antioxidants than any other green tea. It delivers such a huge difference, which is why green tea is so popular in both the East and West.

What To Consider When Buying Matcha Powder

Origin

With matcha powder, there are certain places where you can more or less guarantee decent quality at the very least. One such place is, of course, Japan — as the world’s premier source of matcha green tea, many green tea companies and brands source their plants from hilly farms all over the country. In Japan, certain prefectures and cities specialize in particular goods, and this is the case for matcha, too. Places such as Uji are well known for their green tea farms and you’ll find that many brands get their plants from Uji and a few other locations. But just because Japan is heralded as the best place for matcha doesn’t mean that any other location isn’t worth considering. In fact, different climates and conditions can lead to different flavors and textures in the tea, and this may be something you want to look into if you want to try out other forms of matcha.

Flavor

The origin and location of where the matcha green tea plant grows isn’t the only factor that affects the final flavor of the drink. In fact, many matcha green tea powders come mixed with other flavors and spices. Some matcha powders, for example, can contain mint, adding a cool and refreshing feel to every sip. If you’re more of a purist who only prefers the flavor of matcha and matcha alone, this may not be your cup of tea (pun intended). But if you think that sipping on the same old cup of matcha every day sounds boring to you, these mixes and unique flavors may keep things interesting for months or even years to come.

Price

Matcha is matcha, and if you’re sourcing your products from a farm in Japan, you can expect the product to cost you more than just your pocket change. Price is a major factor to consider when picking the right product. Often, you will find matcha powders costing less than $100, though there are many that also go beyond this price point. Your budget will dictate what you can afford, but you can decide on the quality based on your options. Usually, the higher-quality powder will yield you less for the same price, but you’ll get much better servings out of each cup, so it’s up to you whether you’d prioritize quality or quantity.

Do “Green Tea” and “Matcha” Refer to the Same Thing?

Many people who aren’t very into green tea often use the terms “matcha” and “green tea” interchangeably, and this rarely means much as, for most people, matcha is the only type of green tea they know. There are many other types of green tea on the market today, such as Sencha, Japan’s most popular type of green tea. These differences are important to learn when you want to try out more than just matcha, but for the average person, you should be fine with using the terms interchangeably.

Top Picks

Most Organic: Fgo Matcha Powder
Most Unique Flavors: Vahdam Matcha Powder
Highest Caffeine Content: Encha Matcha Powder
Best Value: Matcha Dna Matcha Powder
Most Culinary Grade: Jade Leaf Matcha Powder
Most Flavor Variety: Purechimp Matcha Powder
Best Overall: Handpick Matcha Powder

Reviews

Most Organic

Fgo Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Non-GMO and USDA-certified organic Available in a tea bags and loose leaf With refund policy	Not always available in preferred size

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Most Unique Flavors

Vahdam Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Great flavor and texture Provides an energy boost Money-saving alternative to store-bought lattes	Flavor may be too strong for some

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Highest Caffeine Content

Encha Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Organic and safe from dangerous contaminants High in antioxidants Calm and energizing properties	High caffeine content could keep people up at night

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Best Value

Matcha Dna Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Cheaper than other matcha powders Certified BPA-free in packaging Climate pledge friendly	No unique qualities or features‌

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Most Culinary Grade

Jade Leaf Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Comes in two flavors Made ‌of matcha from Japan With refund option included	Packaging isn’t the best

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Most Flavor Variety

Purechimp Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Comes in many matcha flavors Packed in resealable glass jars Very easy to brew with	Not a lot of servings per jar

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Best Overall

Handpick Matcha Powder

Pros	Cons
Offers a strong, soothing flavor Comes in secure, resealable packaging Helps with digestion and sleep	Lack of attached string on tea bags

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FAQs

Are sencha and matcha the same type of tea?

While sencha and matcha are both green eta, the former is more popular in Japan, whereas the latter has more global success.

Can I enjoy matcha hot or cold?

You can enjoy matcha both hot and/or cold depending on how you prepare the drink.

Is matcha healthy?

Studies show that matcha contains healthy compounds, such as antioxidants and other nutritious elements.