5 Things You Should Know About Matcha (+ My Favorite Brands)
You all know how much I love my morning matcha, so here are 5 things you should know about it! I share a little history, the health benefits, how to gauge quality, and my favorite brands of matcha! If you'd like to just jump ahead to where I get my matcha, then scroll down for direct links!
Related Videos:
How I Make My Morning Matcha Latte
How to Make Homemade Cashew Mylk
My Favorite Trusted Matcha Brands
A note on organic vs. non-organic: When you buy matcha from Japan, it's not necessary to purchase organic matcha. Japan has the most strictly enforced agriculture laws in the world, so there isn't much difference between the two. So, if price is a factor, don't get hung up on solely organic.
Matchaful: Damn, Matchaful is my JAM. Extremely high quality, incredible flavor, sustainably sourced, organic, and they give 1% of all sales to non-profit organizations striving to preserve the health of our planet. You have to try their Kiwami Single Cultivar Ceremonial Matcha - it’s their highest grade of matcha and has floral, cream, and honey flavor notes. Matchaful’s Hikari Single Origin is also delicious with flavor notes of walnut, lemon, and butter.
Tea Bar Matcha: INCREDIBLE. Tea Bar is a beautiful cafe based in Portland, founded by the badass Erica Indira Swanson, and I have mad respect for this place. Tea Bar matcha is sourced from a small family farm in Uji, Japan. They carry ceremonial, premium, and culinary grade (all are super high quality), which they sell both in-store and online. I'm literally always begging Erica to open a location in Austin. Shall we start a petition?
House of Matcha: Another amazing brand of matcha sourced from Uji, Japan! It's a bit on the pricey side, but it's worth it! I'm in love with their branding that's geared to appeal to a modern Western market but with respect and homage to Japan. I drink the ceremonial grade for my morning lattes, but I love the cold brew matcha for something more refreshing.
Encha Matcha: Encha is organic matcha from 'farm to cup' and it's sourced from Uji, Japan. It's one of the most affordable organic brands I've seen, and the taste is very good!
Matcha Kari: It's organically sourced in Uji, and the superior matcha has an incredible bold taste.
Want to make your own matcha? Watch my tutorial sharing my morning matcha latte recipe here!