The 9 Best Quality Brands For Organic Matcha Powder
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Matcha has been having a serious moment. First introduced in Japan in the 1100s by a Chinese Zen Buddhist monk, it’s now become a popular powdered green tea beloved by millions around the globe. Matcha comes from the terms “matsu” (to rub) and “cha” (tea), and has a deliciously nutty, grassy taste.
It’s often turned to as a coffee alternative since it still provides a boost of caffeine — like most other green teas — but also comes with L-theanine to counteract the negative crash from caffeine and antioxidants which help to reduce damage to your cells and protect against certain diseases. The caffeine in matcha is also absorbed differently by the body so you have a more sustained experience of alertness as compared to your cup of joe. Switching to matcha gives you the energy boost of caffeine without the anxious jitters or afternoon slump. 🍵
Why organic matcha?
First, you should know how matcha powder is made. It starts with Camellia Sinensis tea leaves called Tencha — the plant grows for several years before reaching maturity. Then, a few weeks before harvest, the plants undergo a shading process to protect them from direct sunlight which levels up the flavor of the leaves. After the leaves are harvested or hand-picked, they’re washed, steamed, dried in an oven, sorted, and ground up into a fine powder — using 100 percent of the plant.
As is the case with much produce, matcha farms often use harmful chemicals to treat their plants. Organic matcha, however, is grown without pesticides, and since you’re ingesting the entire plant, it’s an overall healthier alternative that reduces your exposure to any dangerous chemicals.
To that end, we’ve found nine high-quality brands sourcing and crafting organic matcha powder for everyday, ceremonial, and wholesale use. Give this yummy coffee alternative a try — you won’t regret it.
If matcha isn’t your cup of tea (literally), check out the other organic green teas we recommend. (And if you’re not yet ready to swap out coffee, that’s okay too — here are our favorite fair trade coffee brands.)
Our criteria:
Our editors have hand-selected the brands on this list after researching and vetting heaps of matcha makers to find you the healthiest, best quality organic matcha on the market. Many of the brands on this list carry certifications that ensure they are doing good through their use of sustainable farming and business practices. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet our criteria.
1. Sugimoto Tea
Best For | Affordable quality
Ethics | Family-owned business, USDA certified organic matcha, eco-friendly production, Chagusaba farming (sustainable techniques), vegan
Prices Starting At | $13 for 56g (28 servings)
Zenichi Sugimoto started Sugimoto Tea back in 1946, hand-making and delivering tea to customers by bike. Today, this is a multi-generational family-owned business making some of the best certified organic matcha in the world. The team sources their leaves directly from farmers, working with them as well to be as sustainable as possible. Here you can find culinary matcha, blends (like hojicha matcha lattes), and ceremonial matcha — for under $15, the Organic Daily Matcha makes a whopping 28 servings. It’s delicious, effective, and supports a wonderful small business.
2. Tezumi
Best For | Large quantities and/or wholesale orders
Ethics | Organic matcha, small business, transparently partner with Japanese farmers, vegan
Prices Starting At | $16 for 20g (10 servings)
If you drink matcha daily and want to stock up all at once, check out Tezumi: You can purchase up to 250g bags to satiate your matcha cravings over an entire year. Tezumi, which means “hand-picked,” was started by three tea enthusiasts — they now team up with artisanal Japanese tea producers to ensure quality, sustainability, and variety. There are four types of organic matcha available, from the slightly fruity Gokou Matcha to the full-flavored Haruto. We’re impressed that every product page shares thorough information from how the tea was cultivated to the exact flavor profiles — transparency at its finest.
3. Ippodo
Best For | Premium grade matcha
Ethics | Family-owned business, JAS certified organic matcha, vegan
Prices Starting At | $18 for 20g (10 servings)
It’s hard to believe but Ippodo has been around since 1717. For over three centuries, this family-owned business has cultivated the highest quality green tea in the heart of Kyoto. Choose from two matchas here — the “light and snappy” organic matcha or the “medium and balanced” premium organic matcha. Both teas are certified organic by the JAS (the Japanese equivalent to USDA organic certifications), and are thoughtfully made in small batches. Reviews praise the incredibly smooth flavor and small energy boost, with many saying they can never go back to any other brand. It’s worth the try!
4. Jade Leaf
Best For | Matcha sticks and sets
Ethics | USDA certified organic matcha, non-GMO certified, partner with family-run tea farms in Japan, vegan
Prices Starting At | $10 for 30g (15-30 servings)
Jade Leaf’s matcha comes from the Kizuna Tea Collective, a group of family-run tea farms across Japan that have been cultivating tea for over 150 years. Farmers receive fair prices, and we all get to enjoy a premium level of matcha not seen in the mainstream. If you’re just starting out on your matcha journey, we highly recommend the starter sets or individually rationed sticks — they’re incredibly easy to use. There’s also ceremonial matcha, culinary matcha, barista matcha, and ingredient matcha if you prefer; all are USDA certified organic and non-GMO. Jade Leaf offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee but we don’t think you’ll need it — this is the good stuff.
5. ITO EN
Best For | Sweet matcha
Ethics | Organic, non-GMO certified, partner with farmers in Japan, vegan
Prices Starting At | $14 for 28 servings
Got a bit of a sweet tooth? You’ll love ITO EN, then! You may recognize ITO EN’s iconic packaging as it’s one of the most popular green tea brands worldwide, often seen in Asian supermarkets, major grocery stores, and even Target. And in addition to loose-leaf tea, the team also carries yummy organic matcha including Sweet Matcha sticks and Matcha Green Tea Sweet Powder. (Don’t worry, there are unsweetened options too!) ITO EN also “partners with the Japanese farming community to preserve the art of tea harvesting,” so purchasing from them means investing in long-standing traditions and techniques.
6. Ikkyu
Best For | Fresh matcha
Ethics | JAS certified organic matcha, partner with family-run farms in Japan, vegan
Prices Starting At | $16 for 40g (20-30 servings)
Ikkyu’s matcha might be the freshest we’ve ever seen — it’s directly sourced from farmers, ground up, and shipped from Fukuoka, Japan every two weeks. There are three organic varieties to choose from: Miyuki, Matsuko, and Mizuho. Matsuko is great for everyday ceremonial grade matcha, while Miyuki is a premium option. Mizuho is a sencha and matcha blend which makes it a bit lighter than the other two. Whichever you choose, they’re all certified organic by JAS and can last for months at a time when unopened. (And if you need a tip on how to enjoy your matcha, we recommend the food pairing suggestions on each page alongside the production information, flavor profiles, and more!)
7. Rishi
Best For | Variety of types (sweetened, cold brew, etc.)
Ethics | USDA certified organic matcha, partner with farmers in Japan, biodegradable tea bags, GMO-free, vegan
Prices Starting At | $12 for 30g (20 servings)
Want to switch up how you get your daily dose of matcha? Look at Rishi’s many options — including cold brew matcha, everyday matcha, and more. Since 2006, Rishi has worked with organic tea farmers in Kirishima, Japan, a lush, mountainous region of the country. In addition to powders, Rishi also carries everything you need to make the perfect matcha at home including a tea whisk and porcelain bowl. All Rishi teas are direct from the source, certified organic, and packaged in eco-friendly materials whenever possible.
8. Cymbiotika
Best For | Discounted monthly subscriptions
Ethics | USDA certified organic matcha, partner with family-run farms in Japan, GMO-free, eco-friendly or recycled packaging, vegan
Prices Starting At | $44 for 30 servings; discounted subscriptions available (10% off)
Cymbiotika’s supplements — made of fully traceable ingredients — help you feel like your best self. Their board of advisors includes medically certified professionals, and all products are free from gluten, soy, GMOs, toxins, and preservatives. Their Organic Matcha Powder is ceremonial grade, made to improve focus and concentration as well as enhance metabolism. Cymbiotika sources the matcha from Uji and Kagoshima in Japan from small family farms. Daily drinkers like how it’s clean and rich, without leaving behind any bitter aftertaste. Enjoy this ritual morning after morning with a recurring (discounted!) subscription.
9. MUD\WTR
Best For | Coffee alternatives
Ethics | USDA certified organic, non-GMO certified, sourced from farms in Japan, vegan
Prices Starting At | $60 for 30 servings; discounted subscriptions available
If you’re trying to avoid or reduce your coffee intake, MUD\WTR’s Matcha is a great alternative. This 100 percent organic blend contains matcha directly from Japan, along with lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi, with flavoring from cinnamon, turmeric, and Himalayan salt. (And it’s gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, Kosher, and Whole30-approved, too.) It’s a gentle caffeine boost without the jitters — and lots of extra healthy additions too. Sign up for a monthly subscription that includes free US shipping and a free frother, and you can cancel anytime.
Featured image is from Rishi
