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The finely powdered green tea, Japanese matcha, is made from specially grown and processed leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. The colorful beverage is high in antioxidants and provides other powerful health-promoting properties, including increased memory and cognition, reduced stress and inflammation and antiviral compounds that strengthen the body’s immune system. What’s more, research suggests that the catechins in matcha green tea—substances that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals—may help prevent and even stop the growth of some types of cancer . 

With a wide variety of matcha powders on the market, it can be tough to decide which is the best option for you. To enhance and simplify your search, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two accredited nutrition experts who provided their recommendations for the best matcha powders of 2022. Star ratings were solely determined by the editorial team, factoring in user satisfaction and cost per serving.

The Tao of Tea Liquid Jade Powdered Matcha Green Tea

The attention to detail in the growing, drying and processing of this matcha lends to its high quality, says Lenore Cangeloso, a board-certified acupuncturist, herbal medicine practitioner and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “It has a robust and creamy flavor, which makes it great for hot or iced tea, smoothies or even desserts,” she says.

Cangeloso recommends mixing 1 teaspoon of powdered matcha with 8 ounces of water and whisking to a smooth and frothy consistency. Using a bamboo whisk will ensure a nice smooth drink, she says.

Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha Green Tea

Encha’s Ceremonial Grade Matcha is grown in Uji, near Kyoto, Japan, and made with 100% matcha powder and hand-picked tea leaves, says Mia Syn, a registered dietitian nutritionist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. A 2.12 ounce container of Encha matcha lasts for one month if you drink 1 teaspoon (2 grams) per day, notes the company.

It’s best enjoyed whisked into water heated to no higher than 160 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the nutritional content, says Syn.

The organic version of Ippodo’s matcha tea is a bit lighter than its other varieties, says Cangeloso, noting that it has a lighter flavor than some of the more expensive matchas produced by Ippodo. “This special organic blend is a limited release from the company, and the flavor profile is said to change with every new batch,” she says. Try making a matcha latte, stirring 1 teaspoon of matcha into your milk of choice, recommends Cangeloso, adding that it’s best when consumed immediately after preparing the tea.

Matcha Moon Daily Zen Organic Green Tea Powder

Unlike ceremonial grade matcha, Matcha Moon Daily Zen is an all-purpose grade tea powder that has multiple uses, says Syn. “This middle grade all-purpose matcha green tea powder can be used for drinking or recipes, unlike a ceremonial grade matcha, which is meant for drinking in hot water straight …it can be used for smoothies, lattes and baked goods.” Try adding a teaspoon to smoothies or pancakes for an added boost of antioxidants and caffeine, suggests Syn.

Kyoto Dew Ceremonial Grade Matcha

This matcha is the highest grade available, says Syn. It is grown in Uji, Japan, known as the green tea capital of Japan. “Because this is a ceremonial matcha, it’s intended to be mixed directly into hot water and consumed as tea rather than baked into a recipe,” explains Syn. To prepare the tea, sift 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Kyoto Dew Matcha Powder into a bowl using a bamboo scoop and whisk into hot water, she suggests.

Mizuba Tea Co. Yorokobi Ceremonial Organic Matcha Green Tea

When matcha green tea is grown in the correct conditions, its health benefits are heightened, says Cangeloso, who believes Mizuba Tea Co. goes above and beyond. “Mizuba offers the highest-quality matcha powders, and the flavor is unparalleled,” she says. “What’s more, the company supports Japanese family farms to keep the culture behind the tea alive, and makes sure that all of their products are free from contaminants.” Combine 3/4 teaspoons of the matcha powder with just enough warm water to make a sticky paste, stirring well, suggests Cangeloso. Add hot water, and whisk until smooth.

Our Best Matcha Powders of 2022 ranking is determined by a Forbes Health panel of experts. They provided their product recommendations, along with reasons they stand out.

To determine the best matcha powders of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two accredited experts who provided their product recommendations. Star ratings were then determined solely by the editorial team, factoring in cost and user satisfaction.

Matcha powder is ground whole leaves from the tea plant camellia sinensis, says Sarah Anderson, a functional medicine nurse practitioner and founder of Peak Integrative Wellness in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whereas green tea is made by steeping the tea leaves in water, matcha incorporates the full tea leaf, making it a more concentrated source of nutrients and caffeine, Anderson says.

Matcha is also grown differently than green tea, adds Dana Ellis Hunnes, Ph.D., a senior dietitian at UCLA Health in Los Angeles. “In the few weeks leading up to harvest, the tea plants are covered from exposure to avoid direct sunlight,” she says. “This increases the chlorophyll production in their leaves, giving them a really dark green color.” Once harvested, the stems and veins are removed from the tea leaves, and the leaves are finely ground into matcha powder. Compare The Best Matcha Powder

Matcha has one of the highest ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) ratings, which measures the total antioxidant power in foods and other substances, says Elizabeth Trattner, A.P., D.O.M., a board-certified doctor of Chinese and integrative medicine with a private practice in Miami Beach, Florida. High-ORAC foods are known to protect cells from oxidative damage, and may slow down the process of aging in the body and the brain.

“Matcha is a simple drink you can incorporate into your daily routine that will have you looking and feeling great, healthy and calm from the inside out,” says Dr. Trattner.

Health-promoting substances found in matcha include:

Matcha powder is a versatile ingredient. “Traditionally it can be brewed into tea, but it can also be added to smoothies, baked goods, ice creams, homemade popsicles and desserts. You can also sprinkle it on popcorn,” says Anderson.

While ceremonial grade matcha is ideal for making whisked tea, culinary grade matcha can be used in cooking and baking, she adds. To make tea, Anderson recommends adding powdered matcha to hot water using a whisk (bamboo is recommended). For a latte, whisk the matcha powder into a milk of your choice.

Quality and purity do matter with matcha, so it’s worth splurging on the good stuff, says Anderson. That’s because its beneficial health properties can be lost through processing. “Lesser quality teas can be diluted with less potent or ineffective tea fillers, and may contain more pesticides,” says Anderson. She recommends buying only certified organic, non-GMO varieties that are sourced from Japan, as she believes they are less likely to contain contaminants.

Matcha powder can go bad (with an average shelf life of six to 12 months), so pay attention to flavor and appearance, says Dr. Trattner. “It should be a technicolor green color and not taste bitter. It’s best to purchase matcha in small amounts, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator,” she says, adding that for peak flavor and nutritional value, matcha is best consumed within a month after opening. Compare The Best Matcha Powder

Matcha is safe to drink daily, says Dr. Trattner, but make sure the matcha you’re drinking has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming that it’s lead-free. And if you have a caffeine sensitivity, avoid matcha and drink decaffeinated green tea instead, she says.

Matcha can interact with some prescription medications such as the blood thinner warfarin (coumadin) due to its high vitamin K content, adds Anderson, so ask your doctor about possible interactions first.

“Green tea can also decrease the iron absorption from food, so it is important to be cautious if you have iron deficiency anemia,” she says. “It is best to drink after a meal, because it can worsen peptic ulcers or acid reflux if taken on an empty stomach.”

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Heidi Borst is a freelance journalist, healthcare content writer and certified nutrition coach with a love of all things health and wellness. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, MSN, Yahoo and more. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Borst is a lifelong runner and general fitness enthusiast who is passionate about the physical and mental benefits of sleep and self-care.

Sarah is an experienced writer and editor enthusiastic about helping readers live their healthiest and happiest lives. Before joining Forbes Health, Sarah worked as a writer for various digital publications including LendingTree, theSkimm, CNBC and Bankrate. When she isn’t writing or editing, you can find Sarah with her nose in a book or enjoying the outdoors with her French bulldog, Honey.