Taste: This Hanaka matcha is nutty, lacks bitterness, and has a hint of cocoa to it. It’s rich but still light enough to drink on the daily.
Origin: Yame Prefecture, Japan
Grade: Ceremonial
Why We Love It: The first thing you’ll notice about Rocky’s Matcha is the packaging—the bright blue metal tin is engraved on top with the brand’s logo and splashed on the side with a neon green label spelling out the matcha’s grade, cultivar (variety), and size. The newer brand, which founder Rocky Xu started in 2022, has that cool kid aesthetic from their apparel to their tea accessories. This ceremonial blend features three cultivars of Okumidori, Saemidori, and Yabukita. The result is a smooth matcha that boasts one of the most bright, vibrant green hues of all the matchas we tested. For someone searching for even more luxury, the brand also has single cultivar options, an organic blend, and a houjicha powder.
Taste: This ceremonial blend has virtually no bitterness. It’s smooth, rich, and savory, but is still great for daily drinking, whether as a tea or latte.
Origin: Yame Prefecture, Japan
Grade: Ceremonial
Why We Love It: This is one of the highest grades of matcha produced by Ippodo, a Kyoto-based tea company, that has been the gold standard for tea since 1717. Its Ummon matcha boasts a rich umami flavor, is a beautiful emerald green color, and has a bright fragrance.
Because it has a natural sweetness to it, I love this one on its own as a tea with water rather than mixed with milk. It sifts easily and quickly foams when vigorously whisked, producing quite the silky texture without residual clumps.
It’s important to note that this one is freshly packaged in Japan and has a pretty short shelf life—Ippodo recommends that you consume it within a month of opening. We suggest opting for the smaller container (especially since it’s on the pricier side) to make sure you can use it all while at its peak freshness. And if you’re looking for that Ippodo quality but would rather start off with a slightly cheaper option, their Sayaka and Horai blends are great to begin with.
Taste: The Ummon has a rich, deep umami flavor with a hint of sweetness. Even without the addition of milk, it’s creamy and earthy without being bitter.
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Grade: Ceremonial
Expert Opinion: Park says this is the matcha that her grandmother grew up drinking, so it has to be the good stuff.
Why We Love It: Naoki’s shade-grown, ceremonial-grade matcha comes in at an affordable $25 price point, which makes it a great choice for anyone who is just starting out on their journey as a matcha person. The vibrant green powder makes an incredibly balanced drink that’s slightly more floral than grassy, with very little bitterness. We love it for both hot and iced beverages, and find that it’s especially good for matcha lattes. If you want to experiment with different flavor profiles after you run through your first tin, try the brand’s three other ceremonial varieties.—Carina Finn, contributor
Taste: This matcha is balanced and slightly on the sweeter side. It’s not as savory or grassy as some other matchas, and takes especially well to milky drinks.
Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Grade: Ceremonial
Why We Love It: Golde’s organic ceremonial-grade matcha powder is a great base for a hot or cold morning latte and works well with any type of milk. The taste isn’t overpowering, which makes it a very good candidate for adding into breakfast items like yogurt or chia pudding. Plus, the matcha froths well for a smooth drinking experience. Like all of Golde’s superfood products, the matcha comes in a bright green canister that is pretty enough to keep out on your counter.
