The 10 Best Organic Matcha Powders
Editor's Notes
June 25, 2019:
Here, we've tried to create a list that balances both ceremonial- and culinary-grade options. We realize that not everybody is willing to pay top dollar to drink tea — especially if they're making it themselves at home — so we took this into account while weighing our rankings. Our #1 choice is a culinary-grade option (although the company also offers a ceremonial-grade powder), not because it is the absolute best matcha powder there is, but because it seems to strike the ideal balance between flavor, cost, and potency.
We also added a new option to this list: Tmatcha Japanese, which now sits at #7. The cost-value for a product of this quality is great, although it's not the most delicious or the smoothest-blending option.
The Benefits Of Drinking Matcha
And some of those antioxidants we mentioned earlier can boost your metabolism, too.
In case you haven't noticed, there is a matcha craze going on. Your favorite coffee shops are offering ice-blended matcha drinks and even ice cream stores are whipping up creamy, sweet treats infused with the stuff. People are right to be so in love with this green substance. It can do a lot of wonderful things for your health. First off, matcha is loaded with antioxidants that can do several things like protect you from UV radiation, reduce inflammation, and protect your cardiovascular health. What's more is that matcha green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea. Knowing this, most health conscious consumers might find it hard not to drink this wonderful beverage.
Next, if you're trying to lose weight, you may want to add matcha green tea to your diet. Green tea can aid in your weight loss goals in several ways. The caffeine in it can help you workout longer and feel less tired afterwards. Caffeine is also a known fat burner. Green tea has been found to reduce appetite, as well, so you might have fewer bites of that bowl of pasta after a cup of the stuff. And some of those antioxidants we mentioned earlier can boost your metabolism, too. On a very simple level, drinking green tea might help you consume fewer calories because the liquid fills your tummy, and you feel full before even having that first bite of food.
A third interesting benefit of green tea is that it may help you relax. Matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which helps your brain produce alpha waves. These waves work to lower your blood pressure, minimize stress, and induce a state of relaxation. And don't worry about matcha leaving you feeling jittery. Even though matcha is a stimulant, it doesn't result in that nervous, shaky feeling that can come with coffee or energy drinks. The L-thiamine actually cancels that out. And unlike energy drinks that can bring a crash after their stimulating effect wears off, matcha never gives you the post-caffeine blues.
Creative Ways To Use Matcha
You can do so much more with matcha than just drink it in a tea. Try dressing up your favorite banana bread recipe with matcha powder. Just toss about two tablespoons of the stuff in your batter, and you'll have a green and vibrant bread that's not only sweet and gooey but also gives you an energy boost. When you combine the serotonin-boosting effects of the bananas with the mood-lifting benefits of the matcha, this bread is the perfect way to start your morning. For another powerful breakfast, try adding two tablespoons of matcha powder to your greek yogurt. The matcha will add just the right amount of sweetness to the yogurt. The caffeine of the powder, plus the protein of the yogurt, will be the perfect kickstart to your day.
You can drizzle some dark chocolate on for an extra-sweet touch if you like.
Matcha is well-suited to savory dishes like noodles, too. If you've been running out of unique ways to use your pasta maker, try adding some matcha powder to your next batch of dough. It will come out looking like spinach fettuccine, but with a distinct flavor that tastes great with a basil cream sauce. You can also add matcha powder to popcorn for a quick and easy snack that's full of whole grains. Just pour your popped kernels into a bowl and toss them with one to two tablespoons of the green powder. You can drizzle some dark chocolate on for an extra-sweet touch if you like.
Now, onto dessert. This is where matcha powder really shines. On a hot day, try making matcha popsicles. Mix about two cups of plain yogurt, two teaspoons of matcha powder, two tablespoons of honey, one-fourth of a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and one-fourth of a teaspoon of almond extract in a bowl. Pour the mixture into your popsicle molds and freeze. The results will be a delicious, refreshing, and creamy popsicle that both grownups and children will love. If you're in the mood for something fluffy and warm, you can incorporate matcha into your next batch of brownies by simply adding one tablespoon to your preferred frosting recipe.
What To Look For In Your Matcha Powder
If you plan on putting your matcha in your personal blender in the morning for a smoothie-on-the-go, make sure to pick a finely ground option that will mix nicely with your other ingredients and not leave any chunks. On that note, if you do plan on sneaking it into sweet treats, like smoothies, you may want an unsweetened matcha, since you'll get plenty of sugar from the fruit, juice, and other things in your beverage. On the other hand, if you're going to use your powder simply with milk or another bland ingredient, you can buy a sweetened variety for extra flavor.
Make sure your powder comes in a jar with an airtight seal to maintain its freshness, or at least a resealable plastic bag. And remember that the more potent your powder is, the less you need to use. If you plan on using your matcha in tea ceremonies the way the original drinkers of the stuff did, you may as well go authentic all the way and get a variety sourced directly from Japan. For those who are environmentally-minded, you can find tea that comes from sustainably-grown leaves.
When the presentation is important (like in that green frosting we mentioned earlier), look for a powder with a bright green hue. This will make the most gorgeous matcha treats. Always check to ensure your matcha doesn't contain any added fillers. You want the purest powder if you're going to reap all of its nutritional benefits.