BEST Organic Matcha Powder Review

What is the BEST organic matcha powder? In this post I share my review of 14 top brands.

There are SO many organic matcha powders on the market these days. Which is wonderful, but it can make it difficult to determine which one is the best to buy.

I’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you with this review.

I purchased 14 different green tea powders and put them through several different tests to determine which ones were high-quality and worthy to recommend.

My Criteria:

Before I even began searching out which brands to buy, I determined that I would only purchase matcha powderes that were organic and made in Japan.

How I Selected the Brands:

To narrow down my search further, I selected the brands three different ways:

1. I researched other bloggers’ favorite brands. This way I was using an actual human being’s opinion instead of going off of reviews of websites.
2.  I typed “organic matcha powder made in Japan” into Google and purchased some of the top brands on Google’s “popular products” carousel.
3.  I typed “organic matcha powder made in Japan” into Amazon, then sorted by average customer review, and purchased the top 4 brands. My criteria was that they needed to have over 500 reviews (a product can easily garner a perfect 5 star review with only 5 reviews).
4.  And as a wild card, I decided to throw in the Thrive Market brand ceremonial matcha.

NOTE: Some links are affiliate. All opinions are completely my own. If you click a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This has zero impact on the price you pay, and helps Buttered Side Up out!

How I Tested Them:

After I received all of the matcha powders, I took pictures of them all and started rating them.

I taste tested them all in a latte, and also looked at them side-by-side to rate the colors.

Above is a side-by-side comparison of the colors of the different organic matcha brands.

I ranked them according to how my eye perceived them:

Color Grade (Out of 5)

Here is how all of the brands ranked according to color:

5/5: Encha Ceremonial, Do Matcha Ceremonial, and Jade Leaf

4.75/5: Kyoto Dew and Pantenger

4.5/5: Thrive, Akira, Encha Latte, and Kiss Me Organics

4/5: Mizuba, Matcha Organics 

3.75/5: Do Matcha Summer, Aprika Life

3.5/5: Splendmood (I don’t recommend this brand)

Price Per Gram

Matcha powders can get quite expensive. Finding that balance between quality and affordability is important to me because I drink a matcha latte nearly every day.

Here is the breakdown of price per ounce.

Keep in mind that you use about 1 gram of matcha powder to make a latte, so the price per gram is the price per cup.

• Splendmood: $0.10 per gram (I don’t recommend this brand)
• Mizuba: $0.30
• Aprika Life: $0.33
• Encha Latte: $0.43
• Thrive Market: $0.50
• Encha Ceremonial: $0.67
• Akira: $0.80
• Jade Leaf: $0.83
• Matcha Organics: $0.83
• Kyoto Dew: $0.83
• Do Summer Harvest: $0.845
• Pantenger: $0.915
• Kiss Me Organics: $1.058
• Do Ceremonial: $1.162 ($0.97 on sale)

Blind Taste Test

I also performed a blind taste test of all 14 of the matcha brands. You can watch me taste testing them in the video above.

Here is the final ranking according to the blind taste test:

• #1: Thrive Market
• #2: Jade Leaf
• #3: Kyoto Dew
• #4: Encha Ceremonial
• #5: Matcha Organics
• #6: Pantenger
• #7: Akira
• #8: Mizuba
• #9: Kiss Me Organics
• #10: Do Ceremonial
• #11: Do Summer Harvest
• #12: Aprika Life
• #13: Encha Latte
• #14: Splendmood (I don’t recommend this brand)

Now, I think this taste test was fairly accurate except for a couple of brands, because it is difficult to discern between flavors when you’re trying 14 different brands all at once. 

So I took this blind taste test into consideration. But I also took into consideration how they taste in a latte, the price per gram, packaging, certifications, and availability.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• There are many different grades of matcha powders. The most popular ones are (from worst to best quality): culinary, latte, and ceremonial grade. Culinary grade is usually best for baking, smoothies, etc. Latte grade is great for enjoying with milk. And ceremonial grade will taste delicious with just water.
• The highest quality matcha is shade-grown, and made from the first spring harvest. 2nd and 3rd harvests produce lower-quality matcha (usually labelled culinary grade).

Organic Matcha Review:

And so without further ado, here are my final picks from my most favorite to my least favorite.

QUICK NOTE: I rated the taste/smell on a scale like this: 

Slightly < Somewhat < Medium < Strong

 

Best Organic Matcha Powder:

I simply had to give the #1 spot to Thrive Market because a) It won the blind taste test, and b) The price just can’t be beat.

50¢ per gram for an organic ceremonial grade matcha powder made in Japan is superb.

One reason that this ceremonial matcha might be more affordable is the fact that some of it is grown in the Shizuoka Prefecture. After the 2011 Fukushima disaster, some levels of radiation were allegedly found in green tea leaves from Shizuoka. However, Japan has stringent laws about the levels of radiation allowed in food exports. 

 

Color: 4.5 out of 5

Taste: Very slightly bitter, somewhat to medium sweet, somewhat matcha flavor, 

Smell: Medium to strong smell, grassy/sweet

Texture: Very slightly grainy

Price: $0.50 per gram

Packaging: Resealable pouch, BPA free, not recyclable, instructions on pouch.

Certifications/testing: USDA Organic, Kosher, Non-GMO Project Verified

Origin: Shizuoka and Kagoshima regions of Japan.

Harvest: Spring harvest.

Availability: Available to Thrive Market members.

2 Encha Ceremonial

I’ve been a fan of Encha since the beginning. They manage to offer customer high quality, organic matcha for a reasonable price.

At 67¢ per gram, it’s the second most affordable ceremonial grade matcha powder that I reviewed. 

Their ceremonial grade matcha has been a favorite of mine for years. 

Color: 5 out of 5

Taste: Very slightly bitter, slightly savory, slightly grassy, somewhat to medium matcha flavor.

Smell: Medium to strong grassy/savory smell.

Texture: Very slightly grainy.

Price: $0.67 per gram.

Packaging: Resealable pouch, not recyclable, instructions on pouch.

Certifications/testing: USDA Organic, has been tested for radioactivity and lead (read this report).

Origin: From Uji, Japan (far from the 2011 Fukushima site). 

Harvest: First spring harvest.

Availability: Purchase on Amazon or on the Encha Website.

3 Kyoto Dew

This is a brand that I hadn’t heard of before this review. Minimalist Baker recommended it, so of course I had to try it!

I appreciate how much information they give about their growing process.

Color: 4.75 out of 5

Taste: Slightly to somewhat bitter, somewhat to medium matcha flavor, slightly sweet, slightly grassy.

Smell: Slightly grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly grainy.

Price: $0.83 per gram.

Packaging: Tin jar. Instructions on jar.

Origin: From Uji, Kyoto, Japan (far from the 2011 Fukushima site). 

Harvest: Spring harvest.

Certifications/testing: Tested for radiation and lead (see report). USDA/JONA (JAS) Organic.

Availability: Purchase on Amazon. Also available on Walmart.com, but it’s quite a bit more expensive.

4 Jade Leaf Teahouse Edition Ceremonial Grade

I have purchased other matcha products from Jade Leaf in the past, and I’ve been impressed. 

This brand scored second on the blind taste test. I enjoy the almost savory flavor.

Color: 5 out of 5

Taste: Savory, slightly bitter, medium to strong grassy, somewhat to medium matcha flavor.

Smell: Medium grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly to somewhat grainy.

Price: $0.83 per gram.

Packaging: Tin jar + foil packet. Instructions on jar, and also comes with mini booklet. 

Origin: Grown in Uji & Kagoshima, Japan. 

Harvest: First harvest.

Certifications/testing: USDA Organic, Whole30 Approved. Tested for radiation and lead, but results not published to my knowledge. 

Availability: Purchase on Amazon, and the Jade Leaf website. 

5 Matcha Konomi Akira Organic Matcha Ceremonial Grade

This matcha powder is maybe slightly more grainy than the previous ones. I enjoy a really smooth matcha, so I ranked it a bit lower.

But it’s still a really nice one!

Color: 4.5 out of 5

Taste: Slightly bitter, slightly sweet, somewhat matcha flavor, slightly grassy.

Smell: Somewhat grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly grainy.

Price: $0.80 per gram.

Packaging: Tin jar. Instructions on jar. It also comes with a small sheet of origami paper, which is a cute touch.

Harvest: First (spring) harvest

Origin: Uji, Kyoto (Japan)

Certifications/testing: USDA and JONA (JAS) Organic, and regularly tested for radiation (see latest report here)

Availability: Purchase on Amazon and Matcha Konomi website (also available on Walmart website, but more expensive).

6 Pantenger Ceremonial Green Tea 

The packaging is gorgeous on this one. Love a good flip-top lid.

It was perhaps a bit more bitter than some of the previous brands. But I did notice a bright flavor in the blind taste test. 

Color: 4.75 out of 5

Taste: Somewhat bitter, somewhat to medium matcha flavor, slightly sweet, slightly grassy.

Smell: Slightly grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly grainy.

Price: $0.92 per gram

Packaging: Flip-top lid + foil packet. It also comes with an instructional card.

Harvest: First spring harvest.

Origin: Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

Certifications/testing: USDA Organic, Kosher. Not tested for levels of radiation/heavy metals. 

Availability: Purchase on Amazon or the Pantenger website. It’s also on the Walmart website, but it’s more expensive there.

 

7 DoMatcha Ceremonial Grade Organic

This is the most expensive of all of the matcha powders I reviewed. It’s currently on sale on Amazon, but I don’t know how long the sale will last.

It does have a really nice flavor, but it wasn’t so outstanding that I felt it deserved the higher price point.

Color: 5 out of 5

Taste: Slightly bitter, medium to strong matcha flavor, slightly sweet, somewhat grassy.

Smell: Grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly grainy.

Price: $1.16 ($0.97 on sale) per gram.

Packaging: Tin jar + foil packet. Instructions are on the jar, and it also comes with a mini booklet.

Origin: Kagoshima, Japan.

Harvest: First spring harvest.

Certifications/testing: USDA/JONA (JAS) Organic, Kosher. Do Matcha is tested for lead and radiation, but reports aren’t publicially posted. You can request to see results via email (see their FAQ page, under “Ingredients and Testing”).

Availability: Purchase from Amazon or the DoMatcha website.

8 Matcha Organics Ceremonial Grade

Yes, this one scored 5th in the blind taste test. But there were a few factors that made me decide to place it lower on my final review.

First of all, when it arrived, the lid wasn’t closed properly. Also, it had a strange, almost soapy smell.

I also detect a hint of soapy flavor when I really pay attention. 

The website also didn’t seem super professional, but you can also purchase through Amazon.

Color: 4 out of 5

Taste: Savory, somewhat bitter, somewhat to medium matcha flavor, slightly sweet, somewhat grassy

Smell: Somewhat grassy.

Texture: Somewhat grainy.

Price: $0.83

Packaging: Flip top tin jar + foil packet. Instructions on jar. 

Origin: Okabe, Shizuoka, Japan.

Harvest: First harvest.

Certifications/testing: USDA/JONA (JAS) Organic. Tested for radiation and lead, results not posted publicly. 

Availability: Purchase on Amazon or the Matcha Organics website.

9 Mizuba Culinary Matcha

Now, before you lose all respect for me placing a culinary grade matcha powder this high on the list, let me explain.

Mizuba culinary matcha is not like most culinary grade matchas on the market. 

It’s from the first harvest, but they just use the leaves that are farther down the plant. 

I would say this is at least latte grade. It’s not as sublime as a really great ceremonial grade, but the price per gram is incredible. 

Color: 4 out of 5

Taste: Somewhat bitter, medium matcha flavor, somewhat grassy flavor, slightly sweet, slightly less bright.

Smell: Medium grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly grainy.

Price: $0.30

Packaging: Reusable pouch. It also comes with instructional cards.

Origin: Uji, Japan.

Harvest: First harvest (but uses leaves further down the plant).

Certifications/testing: JONA (JAS) Organic, certified radiation/heavy metal free (see their FAQ page), results not publicly posted. 

Availability: Purchase on Verishop or the Mizuba website.

10 Kiss Me organics Ceremonial Grade

I really like this matcha powder. It’s really nice.

I just didn’t think it warranted the price tag. Otherwise it would have been higher up on my list! 

Also, the packaging looks different than the picture on the website and Amazon listing. 

Color: 4.5 out of 5

Taste: Very slightly bitter, somewhat sweet, somewhat matcha flavor, not really grassy.

Smell: Somewhat grassy smell.

Texture: Slightly grainy.

Price: $1.06 per gram.

Packaging: Tin jar + foil packet. Instructions on jar.

Origin: Shizuoka, Japan

Harvest: I couldn’t determine if this was first (spring) harvest or not. 

Certifications/testing: USDA/JONA (JAS) Organic, Kosher. Kiss Me states that they undergo third party testing to ensure safe levels of radiation and heavy metals. You have to do a bit of digging to find those reports, though. 

Availability: Purchase on Amazon, the Kiss Me Organics Website, or Walmart (more expensive there).

11 Encha Latte Grade

This is another one that’s been a long time favorite of mine. 

It’s not as bright and sweet as a ceremonial matcha. But it’s more affordable, and it’s definitely a step above culinary.

Color: 4.5 out of 5

Taste: Somewhat bitter, somewhat matcha flavor, slightly sweet, somewhat grassy.

Smell: Chocolatey smell.

Texture: Somewhat grainy.

Price: $0.43 per gram.

Packaging: Reusable pouch. Instructions on pouch. 

Origin: Uji, Japan

Harvest: First harvest

Certifications/testing: USDA Organic. Has been tested for radioactivity and lead (read this report).

Availability: Purchase on Amazon or on the Encha Website.

12 DoMatcha Summer Harvest

DoMatcha calls this their summer harvest, and I’d say it’s similar to a latte grade.

I admit that the taste is a bit better than Encha Latte. But for the price you would be better off purchasing a ceremonial grade from a different brand.

Color: 3.75 out of 5

Taste: Somewhat bitter, medium matcha flavor, medium grassy flavor.

Smell: Grassy smell.

Texture: Somewhat grainy.

Price: $0.85 per gram.

Packaging: Tin jar + foil packet. Instructions are on the tin, and it also comes with a mini booklet. 

Origin: Not stated clearly, but apparently it’s grown in Uji and Kagoshima, Japan

Harvest: Harvested in summer instead of spring (lower quality).

Certifications/testing: USDA/JONA (JAS) Organic, Kosher. Do Matcha is tested for lead and radiation, but reports aren’t publicially posted. You can request to see results via email (see their FAQ page, under “Ingredients and Testing”).

Availability: Purchase from Amazon and the DoMatcha website.

13 Aprika Life

This ones a bit of a puzzle. I’d say it’s between a culinary and latte grade.

The texture is a little more grainy than Encha Latte, so that’s why it gets the lower rank.

It’s still a nice budget option though. If you buy in bulk you can save even more.

Color: 3.75 out of 5

Taste: Somewhat bitter, somewhat matcha flavor, not sweet, somewhat grassy.

Smell: Weaker smell.

Texture: Medium grainy.

Price: $0.33 per gram.

Packaging: Reusable pouch. Comes with instructional card.

Origin: Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan

Harvest: Second harvest. 

Certifications/testing: USDA/JONA (JAS) Organic, tested for radiation and heavy metals (must request the report).

Availability: Purchase from Amazon or the Aprika Life website (use coupon code BUTTEREDSIDEUP to save 10%).

14 Splendmood Latte Grade (I don’t recommend this brand)

This is the one brand that I don’t recommend. Not that it’s terrible, but I just don’t know if I trust the certifications. 

Splendmood doesn’t have a dedicated website: it’s only available on Amazon. It claims that it’s USDA Organic. But it doesn’t have the normal USDA organic symbol on the packaging. Seems suspect to me. 🤔

The taste is kind of like super processed food. You know it’s not as good, but it’s what you grew up with. 😅

Also, the instruction card comes IN the matcha powder. Which is annoying and messy.

Color: 3.5 out of 5

Taste: Somewhat bitter, somewhat matcha flavor, not sweet, medium to strong grassy flavor, more dull flavor.

Smell: Grassy smell.

Texture: Somewhat grainy.

Price: $0.10 per gram.

Packaging: Reusable pouch. Instruction card inside pouch.

Origin: Unknow for sure, probably Japan?

Harvest: 1st harvest.

Certifications/testing: Claims to be USDA Organic, but the usual USDA Organic seal is not printed on the pouch.

Availability: You can purchase this on Amazon, but I wouldn’t recommend it compared to the other brands I reviewed. 

So that’s my review of 14 different organic matcha brands!

If you have any of your own favorite brands, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment! 

Matcha Recipes:

• How to Make a Sugar Free Matcha Latte
• Matcha Cocoa
• The BEST Matcha Brownies
• Matcha Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream