Airscape: A Safe Convenient Way To Store Loose Leaf Green Tea
AirScape containers are popular among coffee drinkers and they should be popular with green tea drinkers, too. Why? Because coffee and tea share the same threats to their freshness: oxygen, heat, light, moisture, and strong odors. Due to the AirScape containers one-way air valve, it ensures that whatever you put in it has a completely air-free home. If you have a lot of green tea to store, or even just a little, itll be safe and free from oxidation in one of these containers.
Additionally, the container is opaque, which prevents light damage. This feature will also prevent strong kitchen odors from damaging your teas vibrant taste. While a bit pricier than a basic green teajar, this container will ensure that your delicious green tea loses none of its flavors. See price and product description here.Note: This product works well for loose leaf tea, but the fine powder could get stuck in the suction mechanism. For recommendation for matcha storage, read on to the next section.
Airscape Container
Where To Buy Matcha Green Tea Powder
Here at the Matcha Connection we get tons of emails asking many different questions. Today I found this email in my inbox with the subject line Where to Buy Matcha Green Tea Powder?. The writer wanted to know where is the best place to buy matcha, so i decided to put together a comprehensive buying guide on where to buy matcha green tea powder.
Do a quick internet search for matcha, and you will soon be bombarded with a copious amount of online matcha retailers.
Which one do you pick?
How do you know youre buying the real thing?
First a little introduction to what matcha is all about:
Matcha is a super concentrated version of green tea that has been increasing in popularity in the recent past, when in reality, the use of matcha dates back thousands of years. The process entails cultivating green tea plants, shade growing the plants during the last weeks before harvest, hand selecting the youngest leaves, then a drying process, and finally, grinding the leaves into a powder.
Matchas antioxidant content is at least 137 times greater than brewed green tea! Green tea is immensely healthy on its own, research studies have even found that green tea can benefit individuals in a myriad of ways, such as with weight loss, immunity, diabetes, and even cancer!
For more in depth information visit the Ultimate Guide to the Best Matcha Green Tea Powder.
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 cant 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
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.
Ive 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, its 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.
Packaging: Resealable pouch, not recyclable, instructions on pouch.
Don’t Miss: Does Gold Peak Green Tea Have Caffeine
Delicious Versatile And Timeless
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
People have consumed green tea for thousands of years. In beverage form, whether hot or iced, it’s known for gentle flavors that range from earthy to sweet. On top of that, green tea can be used as an ingredient in everything from ice cream to cakes to smoothies. There are several varieties of green tea leaves, two of the most popular being matcha and sencha.
We’ve rounded up our favorite green teas below and detailed what we like, and even dislike about each one. We researched top-rated options in a range of categories to ensure that all sorts of tea drinkers can find the right pick. After all, everyone should be able to enjoy the culinary versatility and delicious taste of green tea.
For a soothing cup, here are the best green teas to buy.
How Much Does The Best Matcha Powder Cost
Premium matcha green tea powder is expensive, but I think you will find that it is well worth it. What is expensive?
The best ceremonial grade matcha green tea powders typically cost between $25 and $50 per ounce. Yes, that is expensive, and you get what you pay for. I have tried less expensive matcha and I have never found any that is nearly as good as the expensive stuff.
Recommended Reading: Does Dunkin Donuts Sell Boba Tea
How Is Matcha Different From Green Tea
The main difference: Matcha is a tea that comes in the form of a powder, rather than leaves in a tea bag. This means that both the flavor and nutritional benefits are more prominent in matcha.
“Most tea leaves, like the ones you find in everyday tea bags, are steeped in water to extract their flavor and benefits. Matcha, however, is the whole tea leaf ground into a powder and consumed. So when you drink matcha, you are literally drinking a plant,” says Kavaliunas.
Matcha comes from Tencha leaf, which means that it’s shade-grown. This gives the powder its inherent bright color and assortment of unique nutrients.
“The ground powder is not water-soluble, so the particles won’t dissolve when added to water or milk,” she explains. “Instead, the powder is suspended in liquid.”
This is why matcha works so well in lattes, smoothies, and shakes its thicker viscosity gives a creamy beverage.
Things To Keep In Mind:
- There are many different grades of matcha powders. The most popular ones are : 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 .
Read Also: Montebello Long Island Iced Tea Alcohol Content
Why Is Matcha Good For You
Matcha tea may seem like just another type of tea, but nothing can be further from the truth. Regular green teas only use a fraction of the nutrients stored in the leaves. As the tea brews, only a small portion of the nutrients end up in the water. The rest is still in the leaves which are cast aside, and are already at a disadvantage because of subpar harvesting techniques.
Matcha tea, on the other hand, allows you to consume the whole leaf. This ensures that the full benefits will be made available to you youll be leaving others in the dust by choosing matcha over loose-leaf green tea, reaching your full potential with every cup.
The Best Matcha Green Tea To Buy Online
- 5% of the company’s profits go to charity
- Packaged in a recyclable glass jar with an aluminum lid
- High-quality Japanese matcha with a less bitter taste
- Tested annually for pesticides and heavy metals like lead
- Smooth mellow flavor with hints of chocolate, leafy greens, and snow peas
- Small batch product made from hand-picked leaves
- Highest caffeine and antioxidant levels on the market, according to the brand
- Small batch product that is hand blended
- Graded by a certified Chasi tea master
Don’t Miss: Premade Long Island Iced Tea Brands
Texture Of Matcha Green Tea Powder = Smooth And Silky
The best matcha tea powder will be always stone milled, so good quality matcha tea needs to be smooth and silky when you rub it between your fingers. You can do the paper test grabbing a pinch of matcha tea and smearing it onto a piece of white paper if it leaves a long, clean line that means it is good quality. Rocky versions wont dissolve as good and are an indication of bad quality matcha tea. This is also the result of being leaves that are lower in the plant, and therefore thicker.
Why does the texture matter? You want a good quality matcha that is smooth and dissolves quickly, so you do not have lumps on your tea.
The 5 Best Matcha Green Tea Powders
California Gold Nutrition Matcha Green Tea Powder is made from premium whole-leaf matcha. It is grown in the prime tea region of Aichi, Japan. In the final month before harvesting, the tea plants are provided with shade, which enhances their greenness and concentrates the flavor in the leaves.
The leaves are harvested, steamed, and dried, and then slowly stone ground into an ultra-fine powder. This matcha green tea powder is naturally rich in phytonutrients and health promoting compounds, and can be used for drinking, blending, or baking. It’s our overall top pick for best matcha powder.
California Gold Nutrition Matcha Green Tea Powder contains nothing but pure, high quality matcha green tea powder, with no other ingredients. It is free of GMOs, soy, and gluten, and not manufactured with milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, or wheat. It is produced in an audited and registered cGMP facility, and a certificate of analysis is available, showing the powder to be free of unhealthy microbes and heavy metals.
PROS
- Pure matcha green tea powder
- Grown in Aichi, Japan
- Grown and processed for quality and potency
- Free of GMOs and common allergens
- Made in the USA in cGMP facilities from Japanese ingredients
- Certificate of analysis available
COAs are available for each product, and customer service is available seven days a week. This matcha green tea powder from Bulk Supplements is organic and high quality, making it a great runner-up option.
PROS
Also Check: Is Lipton Diet Green Tea Mixed Berry Bad For You
What To Look For On A Matcha Tea Label/package
Ceremonial grade matcha
As mentioned above, ceremonial grade is considered the highest quality tea. Also make sure it is labeled matcha tea, not powdered green tea or green tea. This means that the product is not from Japan and the quality is questionable.
Shade-grown, shaded
Real, quality matcha plants are shaded before they are harvested. This helps to increase the chlorophyll and amino acid content.
Organic
Organic matcha tea means that the product is free from harmful pesticides and herbicides that are often used by farms in the growing process.
Toxin-Screened
A toxin screening process ensures an even higher quality product since this often means that the matcha is third-party tested for toxins like heavy metals, fluoride, and mold.
Jade Organic Japanese Matcha Powder
This is a matching powder made to offer buyers a culinary, baking and green tea recipe. It is approved by the USDA as a safe product and contains no other ingredient than the Matcha sourced from Uji in Japan. This product is probably the best for budget buyers and on top of this, a full refund option is available for dissatisfied buyers.
Read Also: Does Fit Tea Really Work
Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder
For the matcha-curious or beginners!
Yes, matcha green tea powder is wonderful . . . but very pricey! If youd prefer a brand that is easier on the wallet, wed suggest Kiss Me Organics. Good quality with a smooth flavor profile.
If you are matcha-curious, this would be a good place to start!
Heres more:
Affordable.
Packaging = Airtight And In A Can Or Resalable Bag
Good quality matcha tea should always be packaged and sealed correctly. Especially, in a dark container. This, to prevent air, light, and extreme temperatures. These conditions could damage the tea profile, making it bitter and opaquing its unique flavor. So, always look for airtight cans or resalable bags that are opaque, and store your matcha tea in a dry and dark place to keep its freshness. Preferably, packaged from the origin, Uji, Japan.
Also Check: Dunkin Donuts Popping Bubbles Game
Is Matcha Good For Weight Loss
There is no quick fix when it comes to weight loss, but matcha is a great addition to a comprehensive weight-loss program. The reason for this stems from the nutrients packed inside each leaf.
For one, matcha has been shown to improve your metabolism and burn fat. That means that it tackles the issue of weight from both sides, giving you a natural boost in your fight against unwanted pounds, naturally encouraging higher energy levels, while also triggering that hard-to-access fat metabolism
As far as other options for weight loss, most are supplements which youve likely seen carry negative side effects. Since many of those shortcuts are new, synthetic, and untested, you should think of matcha as a natural way of improving your weight. If you are interested in weight loss, rest assured that matcha doesnt use any dangerous mechanisms to burn fat. It wont raise your blood pressure or cortisol, which are two things you want to avoid when trying to lose weight safely and keep it off. Besides, matcha green tea has origins more than 1,000 years old, our bodies have developed alongside green teas valuable benefits.
In fact, matcha’s effectiveness has been professionally documented. There was a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that showed matcha increases thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the rate at which the body burns calories.
Eco Head Organic Matcha Green Powder
This product is packed into a 30g or 1.05oz bag. Produced in the Uji part of Japan, it has a bright green color and a fresh grassy aroma that makes you want to drink some more. Buyers are protected by the brands 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the green tea.
These are the best Matcha Green Tea Powders to buy and be sure that you are not getting the lesser quality of Green Matcha Tea. If you feel like our Best Match Green Tea Powder article and recommended Matcha Teas are worth sharing, feel free doing so.
Don’t Miss: What Herbal Tea Is Good For Menopause
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:
What Is Matcha Green Tea Powder
Matcha green tea powder has quite a history that most people are unaware of. In fact, many individuals who are familiar with green tea, have yet to be enlightened to the facts surrounding the centuries old marvel of matcha.
Dating all the way back to 7th century China, matcha was produced for use in tea ceremonies, and eventually was used in Japanese tea ceremonies during the 12th century.
Present day matcha is still used in traditional ceremonies however, its uses have vastly expanded into other areas. For instance, a different grade of matcha, typically known as, Food Grade Matcha, is used as a dye in various foods and confections.
What makes matcha green tea powder special lies in the method in which it is cultivated. Weeks before green tea plants are set to harvest, growers cover the plants so that the remainder of the growth cycle takes place in the shade. By preventing the direct sunlight from reaching the tea leaves, the growth slows and an increase in the production of chlorophyll begins. This in turn gives the tea leaves a deep green color and increases the amount of amino acids found in the leaves. Only the youngest leaf buds are picked, then dried, and ground into a fine powder, retaining all of their nutrient goodness. The final result being matcha green tea powder.
Matcha green tea powder has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants found in any food source!
That is one of the many matcha benefits of this amazing superfood.
You May Like: Is Gold Peak Green Tea Good For You
Encha Ceremonial Organic Matcha
Encha Ceremonial Organic Matcha has a bright, vegetal flavor with no hint of bitterness. This organically certified matcha tea is great for smoothies, lattes, and baking, thanks to its bright and approachable flavor profile.
It may not have the depth and complexity of some of the more refined matcha teas, but thats not going to affect its health benefits.
Best For Lattes: Encha Latte Grade Pure Organic Matcha
There is no shortage of matcha latte mixes, but Encha considers itself the only company “offering a latte grade using first harvest pure and organic matcha powder.” Essentially, other latte mixes tend to contain later-season matcha made from tougher, more bitter leaves, leading to an earthier taste, but this mix is filled with the good stuff.
While some reviewers picked up hints of bitterness, the majority call it smooth, naturally sweet, and extremely easy to blend. Encha is so confident in its matcha that the mix has a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
Bags are sold in two sizes, 30 and 60 gramsâboth of which have handy recipes printed on them. The recommended ratio is 2 grams of matcha for 6 to 8 ounces of milk. Shake, whisk, or blend it. No matter what, it takes just minutes for a delicious matcha latte.
Grade: Latte | Origin: Uji, Japan | Harvest: First harvest | Size: 60 grams
You May Like: Starbucks Boba Tea 2021