There are so many types of Matcha in Japan that it can be confusing to know which one to choose.
The advice is to prioritize choosing Matcha from famous brands with a long history, such as Fukujuen or Ippodō.
Then, depending on the purpose of use (making drinks or baking) and favorite flavor (thick Matcha, thin Matcha), you can choose Matcha at a suitable price.
In this article, I will introduce 8 best Japanese Matcha powders, from popular Matcha to premium Matcha.
If you are looking for quality Matcha powder, definitely give it a read.
Matcha Mujyō | Fukujuen Brand
Price: 4,320 yen (20g)
Fukujuen (福寿園) is a long-standing tea house in Kyōto Prefecture that has focused exclusively on tea since its founding in 1790.
Currently, Fukujuen has developed into a global brand with products such as tea leaves and tea bags sold in more than 50 countries.
“Matcha Mujyō” is Fukujuen’s highest quality Matcha. It was made on the stone mill by grinding Tencha (material for Matcha) that was harvested only once a year in the carefully maintained tea garden.
“Matcha Mujyō” has a deep green color, with an outstanding rich taste and deep aroma.
“Matcha Mujyō” is not only suitable for those who want to enjoy delicious Matcha, but also suitable as a gift because the Fukujuen brand is famous throughout and outside Japan.
Website:
Chōan | Marukyu Koyamaen Brand
Price: 3,348 yen (20g)
“Marukyu Koyamaen” (丸久小山園) is a tea brand with a long history, starting from the Genroku period (1688~1704).
Marukyu Koyamaen’s tea wins awards at national tea competitions almost every year and is chosen by temples, ryokans, as well as tea masters and tea lovers.
“Chōan” Matcha powder has a soft and mellow taste, along with a particularly luxurious aroma. This product is suitable for use in tea ceremonies or to entertain distinguished guests.
Website:
https://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/
Unmon-no-mukashi | Ippodō Brand
Price: 2,160 yen (20g)
Established more than 300 years ago, “Ippodō” (一保堂) is a Japanese tea brand with its main store in Kyōto Prefecture.
Ippodō has around 30 tea brands, all of which are carefully selected and sourced from a variety of high-quality tea leaves to create each brand’s unique flavor and aroma.
“Unmon-no-mukashi” is the highest grade Matcha among Ippodō products. It has a particularly rich sweetness and strong flavor, allowing you to feel the authentic taste of Matcha.
“Unmon-no-mukashi” is a perfect choice for those who love the characteristic bitter taste of Matcha and want to enjoy truly delicious Matcha.
Website:
Tennōzan | Yamamasa Koyamaen Brand
Price: 2,700 yen (30g)
“Yamamasa Koyamaen” (山政小山園) is a Matcha brand loved by the tea ceremony community, including leaders of many tea ceremony schools as well as hotels, ryokans and Japanese and Western confectionery shops.
“Tennōzan” is the most popular type of Matcha in the thick Matcha (濃茶, koicha) product line of the Yamamasa Koyamaen brand. Besides its rich flavor and characteristic aroma, it also has a pleasant aroma of young leaves, giving it a truly delicious feeling.
“Tennōzan” is a suggestion for those who like to drink strong-flavored Matcha or those who want to recreate the taste of Matcha in tea ceremonies.
Website:
https://www.yamamasa-koyamaen.co.jp/
Organic Uji Matcha | Morihan Brand
Price: 648 yen (30g)
“Morihan” (森半) was founded in Uji – famous tea growing area, in 1836. Since then, Morihan has won many awards in tea competitions, especially with the highest quality Matcha and Gyokuro teas.
“Organic Uji Matcha” is one of the most outstanding products of the Morihan brand.
Thanks to a thorough production process right from the soil preparation stage, “Organic Uji Matcha” not only has a great flavor but is also very gentle on the body.
The product is affordable so it is suitable for those who want to drink delicious Matcha every day.
Website:
https://www.tea-and-coffee.shop/
Oi Ocha Uji Matcha | ITO EN Brand
Price: 530 yen (30g)
“ITO EN” (伊藤園) is the largest beverage manufacturer in the tea leaf and tea-based beverage market in Japan.
“Oi Ocha Uji Matcha” is Matcha powder using 100% Matcha from the land of Uji and ground with a stone mill. It has a bright green color and pleasant flavor, and is used not only for making tea but also for cooking.
You can enjoy “Oi Ocha Uji Matcha” easily and deliciously by mixing it with milk or sprinkling it on yogurt, or make sweets based on the recipes introduced on the back of the package.
If you are looking for a type of Matcha not only for drinking but also for cooking, you can choose “Oi Ocha Uji Matcha” from ITO EN.
Website:
https://www.itoen.jp/products/category/leaf/kind/4597/
Matcha Ippuku | Blendy Brand
Price: 274 yen (box of 4 packs)
“Blendy” (ブレンディ) is a famous brand for instant coffee and tea products.
Currently, it holds about 50% market share in the packaged instant beverage market and is the leading brand leading the market.
Blendy’s “Matcha Ippuku” uses 53% Matcha so it has a very rich tea flavor. The umami, sweetness and bitterness are also very well balanced.
Matcha powder is processed to dissolve easily in water, so it does not require a specialized tea whisk, and is packaged into small sticks so you do not have to measure it each time you make a cup.
“Matcha Ippuku” is a suggestion for those who want to drink delicious Matcha easily.
Website:
https://agf.ajinomoto.co.jp/lineup/blendy/
Matcha Milk Koicha | Tsujiri Brand
Price: 567 yen (160g)
“Tsujiri” (辻利) is a long-standing Uji tea brand that most Japanese people know. Besides tea products, Tsujiri is especially famous for sweets using Matcha such as Matcha Mochi or Matcha Parfait, contributing to promoting Japanese Matcha to the world.
“Matcha Milk Koicha” is a type of matcha milk powder containing twice the amount of matcha compared to the “Matcha Milk” version that Tsujiri has previously sold. It has the rich bitter taste of Matcha with the sweet flavor of milk.
“Matcha Milk Koicha” is characterized by its easy dissolution, making it very convenient for those who want to prepare Matcha Latte effortlessly. My suggestion is to try preparing it with hot milk instead of hot water to create a delicious Matcha Latte just like the ones you get at cafes.
Website:
https://www.kataoka.com/tsujiri/lineup.html
Check out the brand’s official online store to buy Matcha at the best price.
Most brands offer oversea shipping, so if you’re overseas, you can still order.
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