# The best matcha powders to brew at home > A daily matcha drinker tested nine top brands to find the smoothest, most flavorful powders for your morning ritual. - Title: The best matcha powders to brew at home · Bon Appétit - Summary: A daily matcha drinker tested nine top brands to find the smoothest, most flavorful powders for your morning ritual. Quality matcha comes from Japan with a… - Keywords: matcha, matcha powder, tea, japan, ceremonial grade, culinary grade, kettl, rocky's matcha, ippodo, naoki matcha, golde, matchaful - Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/story/best-matcha-powder - Author: Kate Kassin - Published: 2024-02-26T20:20:45.923+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: matcha, matcha powder, tea, japan, ceremonial grade, culinary grade, kettl, rocky's matcha, ippodo, naoki matcha, golde, matchaful ## Matcha is having a moment The practice of turning finely ground young tea leaves into a vibrant green beverage dates back nearly a thousand years in Japan. Matcha offers antioxidants and the amino acid L-Theanine, which promotes relaxation and sustained energy without jitters. ## The best matcha overall Kettl Hakusan Matcha from Uji, Japan is smooth, rich, and slightly sweet. The company purchases tea weekly from Japan and packages it at its own facility in Fukuoka before air-shipping to customers. ## The cool-kids' brand Rocky's Matcha Oishi Ceremonial Blend features three cultivars and boasts one of the brightest, most vibrant green hues tested. The newish brand started in 2022 and has collaborated with clean beauty brand Saie. ## The premium pick Ippodo Tea Ummon from Kyoto has been the gold standard since 1717. This ceremonial-grade matcha boasts rich umami flavor with a beautiful emerald green color and bright fragrance. > This is the matcha that her grandmother grew up drinking, so it has to be the good stuff. ## Entry-level crowd-pleaser Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend from Kyoto costs just 25 dollars, making it ideal for beginners. The vibrant green powder makes a balanced drink that's slightly more floral than grassy with very little bitterness. ## Best matcha for lattes Golde Pure Matcha from Uji is organic and ceremonial-grade, working well with any type of milk. It's smooth and slightly grassy with a hint of natural sweetness, and froths well for a smooth drinking experience. ## Planet-friendly pick Matchaful Hikari Single Origin Ceremonial Matcha is female-founded and sources from a single farm. The matcha is ground to order from first harvest leaves grown pesticide-free and shaded by solar panels. ## The smoothest sip Isshiki Ceremonial-Grade Yabukita Matcha Powder is used in the namesake matcha shop in New York's East Village. It produces a creamy, smooth matcha that balances natural sweetness with earthiness and has little to no bitterness. ## Travel-ready sachets Pique Sun Goddess Matcha comes in 28 single-serving sachets that fit easily into a work bag or carry-on. The matcha is smooth and creamy and lacks bitterness, making it convenient for matcha anywhere. ## Best for cooking and baking Navitas Organics Matcha is premium culinary-grade, perfect for baked goods and breakfast items. At just 18 dollars for three ounces, it's budget-friendly and dissolves nicely without overwhelming grassiness. ## How to spot quality matcha All quality matcha comes from Japan with a specific region, town, and grower listed on the package. Look for no added ingredients like sugars or anticaking agents, and check the best-by date, which should be within a month of opening. > Matcha is not like wine, and after milling does not benefit from age or vintage. ## Ceremonial vs culinary grade Ceremonial-grade matcha is the highest quality and best for drinking. It comes from the first harvest of the year, making it more flavorful and nutrient-rich with a vibrant color. Culinary-grade comes from later harvests and is better for cooking or baking. ## Matcha vs green tea Matcha and green tea come from the same plant but are processed differently. Matcha plants are shaded before harvest, increasing chlorophyll for a vibrant green color. Matcha is a stone-ground powder you ingest entirely, giving higher nutrient concentration. ## Essential matcha tools Making great matcha requires a bowl called a chawan and a whisk called a chasen. A sifter and temperature-controlled kettle help take your matcha from all right to great by preventing clumps and bitterness. ## Perfect matcha brewing steps Boil water, then pour 65 milliliters into a cup to cool. Warm your chawan, then sift 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha into it. Add water cooled to 170 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, knead gently, then whisk in a vigorous Z pattern until foam appears. ## How to store matcha Keep unopened matcha in the refrigerator and continue refrigerating after opening. Store your tin inside a resealable plastic bag to keep it fresh. Don't discard the oxygen absorber or lid that comes inside, as it prevents oxidation. ## Key takeaway Quality matcha comes from Japan with a specific region listed on the package, and ceremonial-grade is best for drinking while culinary-grade works for baking.