Anyone who knows me knows I’m a matcha fiend. What’s matcha, you ask? It’s a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves that’s been consumed in East Asia for centuries. Devotees love the antioxidant- and chlorophyll-packed tea for its purported health benefits, like increased focus and energy, immunity and heart health support, and more. And there’s no better time to adopt a healthy habit than the New Year — or National Hot Tea Month (going on right now).
But I have a confession to make: Before the coronavirus outbreak, I didn’t know how to make a matcha latte. I relied on Minneapolis spots like Penny’s and Fairgrounds to make my beloved beverage for me. So when many of us adopted a work-from-home lifestyle, I realized I needed to learn how to make this everyday indulgence for myself. Along the way, I tried countless kinds of matcha to discover my favorites. Here are the 18 best matcha brands to try in 2021.
Photography by Matcha.com
Matcha.com
Integrative medicine pioneer Andrew Weil, MD, is one of the brains behind Matcha.com (alongside cofounder André Fasciola). The company’s matcha membership delivers premium product right to your door, letting you mix and match teas and save some green while you’re at it.
Photography provided by Clevr
Clevr
This mission-driven brand wants to upgrade your ritual with amped-up takes on your favorite beverages, from coffee to chai to matcha. Clevr’s matcha superlatte combines organic shade-grown matcha, oat milk, coconut cream, adaptogens, mushrooms and probiotics. All you have to do is add water and enjoy.
Photography by Audrey Ma
Art of Tea
Matcha comes in multiple forms from Los Angeles–based importer and wholesaler Art of Tea: organic grade A matcha powder, ceremonial-grade matcha sticks and the refreshing matcha fresca. Each is great for a different mood, time of day or time of year.
Photography provided by Encha
Encha
Encha founder Li Gong left a lucrative Silicon Valley career in 2014 to pursue his passion for producing sustainable, organic matcha. Today, the company partners with a matcha farm in Kyoto, Japan, which lets the team ensure the highest quality standards are met throughout the entire process, from growing to grinding.
Photography provided by Adaptology Co.
Adaptology Co.
This woman-owned and -operated brand is driven by a desire to craft fun yet effective adaptogenic beverage powders. Its dreamy matcha blend, for example, is made with soothing lavender and energizing cordyceps mushrooms, making it the ultimate wellness powerhouse. Adaptology Co. also has a zen cacao blend ideal for winding down.
Photography provided by Soar Organics
Soar Organics
Soar Organics sources its matcha and hojicha from the most renowned regions of Japan. Founders Megan Frisk and Chris Shaw are proud of the brand’s nutrient-rich, toxin-free goods, plus they donate 1% of profits to environmental and social nonprofits as a member of 1% for the Planet.
Photography provided by the Republic of Tea
The Republic of Tea
A leading American purveyor of premium teas, the Republic of Tea sparked a tea revolution when it debuted in 1992. It’s a favorite among tea aficionados, with more than 300 delectable offerings, including pure matcha powder and creative matcha infusions.
Photography provided by Teatis Tea
Teatis Tea
Formulated under the close supervision of a medical doctor, Teatis’ Awake matcha latte blend is made with three natural ingredients clinically shown to reduce blood sugar levels: organic matcha, brown seaweed and peppermint. It makes for the perfect morning ritual, while its golden milk counterpart, Calm, is ideal for bedtime.
Photography provided by Mizuba Tea Co.
Mizuba Tea Co.
The Mizuba team wants to share a #MatchaMoment with you. One of America’s official uji-cha tea dealers, the brand offers a wide range of matcha types and tools — as well as a quiz to help you find your favorite matcha.
Photography provided by Golde
Golde
Super foods to the rescue! Instagram favorite Golde is best known for its turmeric blends, like its matcha turmeric, which brings together seven essential super foods to help with glow, focus and debloating. There’s also pure matcha powder and even super food face masks for a whole-body treat-yo-self experience.
Photography provided by Matcha Konomi
Matcha Konomi
This woman-owned company out of Texas envisions a world where everybody can enjoy high-quality matcha at an affordable price. We’re on board. Offerings include a variety of stone-ground matcha powders, matcha bites, tea prep tools, and even educational materials and videos.
Photography provided by Breakaway Matcha
Breakaway Matcha
Breakaway is the brainchild of founder Eric Gower, who developed a matcha obsession after living and working in Japan for 16 years. The brand boasts an impressive 18 grades of matcha. But don’t worry — Breakaway’s online quiz makes it easy to determine which best suits your tastes.
Photography provided by Harney & Sons
Harney & Sons
With humble beginnings, this family-run business is now known around the world for its fine teas, which make for the perfect everyday luxury. The brand’s matcha lineup includes everyday organic powder, white peach matcha, very berry matcha and more.
Photography provided by the Tea Spot
The Tea Spot
This brand out of Boulder, Colorado, is spreading wellness through tea, inspired by founder Maria Uspenski’s recovery from cancer. As such, the company donates 10% of all profits in-kind to cancer survivors and community wellness efforts. The Tea Spot’s matcha collection includes ceremonial-grade powder, a Keep Fit loose leaf blend and the like.
Photography provided by Sunfood
Sunfood
Sunfood was born in the nineties out of a desire by two SoCal friends to promote alternative healing amid an alarming rise of disease and health-related problems across America. Matcha is part of that mission, including an organic matcha powder and a matcha and mushrooms super food blend.
Photography provided by Goldthread
Goldthread
All-natural plant-based tonics are the name of the game at Goldthread. The refreshing matcha drink contains lime juice and chlorophyll, letting its namesake ingredient shine. Other must-try tonics include the brand’s elderberry defense, lavender bliss and turmeric radiance.
Photography provided by Palais Des Thés
Palais Des Thés
The team behind this French brand is as passionate about the high quality of its tea as it is about responsible buying, sustainable practices and environmental impact. Matcha varieties include imperial, organic shiro, a sencha blend and a genmaicha blend.
Photography provided by Sun Potion
Sun Potion
Sun Potion is an OG in the nutritional supplement space, with powders, potions and elixirs of all kinds. Sourced in Japan, the brand’s divine white dragon matcha is inspired by a pilgrimage taken to the God Dragon Temple and is imbued with the spirit of power and mysticism associated with the dragon.
