My RecommendationAlmost Too Good
Breakaway Matcha seems to have matcha that's exceptionally good, almost to the point of being categorized as "Almost Too Good." They offer flight gift sets, but you don't end up getting a substantial amount of matcha for the price. If you're looking for a special tasting experience, it might be worth buying for a special occasion. However, it might not be necessary for everyday use. While you really liked it, you might want to savor it for those unique moments.
The price is on the higher side due to its pure and high-quality nature. While it may be a bit costly for the quantity you get, you won't be disappointed with the taste and quality. It's an option to reserve for special occasions or when you're in the mood for a top-notch matcha and are willing to spend a bit more for the exceptional experience.
My RecommendationMatcha Mommy Approved
I have a real fondness for this particular brand because their team possesses in-depth knowledge about matcha, and they excel in educating consumers. They offer an array of matcha varieties and conduct thorough third-party testing. Additionally, they have organic options available. Matcha.com is a source I turn to from time to time, and I would classify it as Matcha Mommy Approved. The team is not only knowledgeable but also very respectful of the culture, making it a reliable choice for matcha enthusiasts like me. I've purchased from them before and would gladly do so again.
I absolutely adore Matchaful, and I find the founder super sweet. They offer various matcha varieties, and even their lowest tier is remarkably good. Their cafes serve incredible drinks, and I can't praise this brand enough. I categorize it as "Matcha Mommy Approved." I've bought from them in the past and would gladly do so again. If you ever find yourself in New York, I highly recommend visiting their cute cafes – you won't be disappointed.
Kettl is a brand that I hold in high regard. The founder, Zach, and the team are fantastic, and they have wonderful locations in New York and Brooklyn. If you're in New York, I'd highly recommend checking them out. They offer several matcha varieties, and from my experience with the one served in their cafes and for this video, I'd give them a "Matcha Mommy Approved" label. I've purchased from Kettl in the past, and I'd gladly do so again. They consistently provide excellent matcha options, and you can't really go wrong with any of their blends.
I really like this brand, especially because it's Asian co-founded, and they do an outstanding job. The only drawback I find is that their matcha is quite expensive. You can find equivalent options in terms of flavor and quality at a lower price point. However, I'd still give it a "Matcha Mommy Approved" label. I would buy it again, especially if I were willing to spend a bit more. It's a great choice, but keep in mind that there are equally good options available for a slightly lower price.
Their prices are reasonable, and they offer an extensive range of varieties. Even their lowest-tier matcha is quite tasty. This Japanese family-owned brand, with a 300-year history, is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to tea and matcha. It's a brand you recommend to everyone, even those who are just starting out with matcha. They have specific blends like Kansa and Umon, which can be categorized as "Almost Too Good." However, you don't have to opt for these higher-priced blends; you can choose one that fits your budget, and you'll still be satisfied with the quality.
My RecommendationNot the worst, not the best
I distinctly recall my experience with Itoen matcha. Despite it not being a ceremonial grade powder, I was pleasantly surprised by its quality, considering its price. This Japanese brand seemed to offer decent value for the cost, falling somewhere in between not the worst but not the best. I'd be content to enjoy it, but it might not be my first choice for a matcha purchase.
I find the price a bit steep for what it offers. The marketing doesn't particularly resonate with me, and I've come across better-tasting matcha at a similar price point. So, I'd place it in the middle ground, not the worst but certainly not the best. There are likely better options for your money. If you're a fan of Pique, you might want to explore other reviews to make an informed choice.
I've had Matcha Bar, and while they used to have city locations (which I'm not sure about now), they seem more focused on direct-to-consumer (D2C) operations. Their matcha falls into the mid-tier category for me in terms of price, flavor, and overall quality. I wouldn't say it's the worst, but it's not the best either. It's a decent choice if you're looking for something in the middle and don't want to splurge. The founders are great people, and I don't have any issues with them. It seems like Matcha Bar positions itself as an everyday matcha option. I wouldn't hesitate to enjoy it, but it's not something I'd actively seek out to spend my money on.
I found this particular matcha to be a pleasant surprise. While it's not something I would personally buy, I might recommend it to someone looking for a decent option in terms of flavor and quality. I recall the price being quite affordable, around $18 or so. Overall, I'd classify it as "Not the Worst, Not the Best." It seems to strike a balance between price and quality.
Chamberlain Coffee is primarily known for their coffee, and from my perspective, they should likely stick to that. Their matcha, in my opinion, appears to be white-labeled, which doesn't impress me. It falls in the mid-tier category and has a rather strong bitter aftertaste. Considering the price, it's not a cheap option. I'd place it in the "Not the Worst, Not the Best" category. I did finish the tin I bought, but it wasn't the best matcha I've tried. If you're considering Chamberlain, I'd recommend focusing on their coffee offerings instead.
It seems like the branding played a significant role for this brand. While the price was on the higher side considering the quantity, the taste wasn't bad. I'd categorize it as "Not the Worst, Not the Best." However, there's a temptation to lean towards "Not Recommend," but for now, let's stick with "Not the Worst, Not the Best." The marketing is a strong aspect, but the matcha itself seems to be mid-tier. It's not terrible, and if you had to drink it, you wouldn't be upset.
I found the matcha itself needed some sweeteners or flavors to cover up its taste. It wasn't terrible, but it's not the first brand that comes to mind when someone asks for a matcha recommendation. I'd put it in the "Don't Recommend" category. It's not the worst, and if you mix it with something, it's bearable, but I wouldn't make it my go-to choice.
My RecommendationAvoid at all cost
I've tried Nevitas, and the major concern I have is its marketing as a superfood supplement. While it's priced lower, there's a noticeable drop in quality, color, and taste. In my experience, it was exceptionally bitter, to the extent that I doubted it would taste good in a smoothie or any other application. So, I'd strongly recommend avoiding this one. If you're seeking health benefits, it's more sensible to invest in higher-quality matcha, as lower quality often translates to lower nutrition, which doesn't align with the idea of a superfood.
I've covered Chacha Matcha extensively on TikTok, and while their matcha is drinkable, I would never support this brand due to certain actions they've taken. The price is relatively high for the quality, which falls in the mid-range. Based on my bias and the issues I've discussed in my video, I strongly advise avoiding Chacha Matcha altogether. They've changed their matcha packaging from clear jars to sealable bags, which could affect the quality over time. In my opinion, it's a no-go.
I've tried the budget matcha from Costco, and while it's meant to be affordable, what disappoints me is the massive size of the package. The quality is already quite low, and with that much matcha, the quality degrades significantly over time. I'd categorize this as "Avoid at All Costs." I believe that the Itoen matcha, which is similarly priced, offers much better quality within the same price range and matcha tier. So, I would strongly recommend steering clear of the Costco option.
My experience with Tenzo left me with a desire to say "Avoid at All Costs." I had numerous issues with their website, finding it spammy and difficult to make a single purchase without being led into a subscription. The flavor of their matcha was notably unpleasant, and given the price, I couldn't fathom charging that much for something that tasted so terrible. In summary, Tenzo didn't leave a positive impression, and I wouldn't recommend it.
Thrive Market, despite being one of the more affordable options, is unfortunately categorized as "Avoid at All Costs." The matcha had an incredibly bitter taste, as you mentioned in your video, and didn't provide a pleasant drinking experience. While it may be better than some other low-priced alternatives like Costco's Nevitas and Tenzo's matcha, it still falls short of being recommendable due to the extreme bitterness.
I came across Cymbiotika matcha, and to be honest, it left me pretty disappointed. Despite the hefty price tag and the influencers promoting it, I couldn't help but feel it was a bad choice. The taste was off, and it had a bitter quality that I just couldn't get past.
My RecommendationDon't Recommend
I personally didn't find it worth the price as the taste didn't appeal to me. I wouldn't recommend it. While it's not the worst I've tried, it's not something I'd suggest to others. So, in this case, I don't recommend it.
I've tried Jade Leaf matcha, and what stands out to me is its accessibility. It's readily available in grocery stores, which is quite unique among matcha brands. However, I've noticed that it leans more towards a green tea flavor rather than the traditional matcha taste. It has a somewhat bitter note and an almost jasmine tea aftertaste. It's not my personal favorite, and I'm hesitant to recommend it.
Trader Joe's matcha seems to fall in a similar category to Jade Leaf matcha, and you suspect they might be the same white-labeled brand. It's not the worst but not the best, and it's not something you'd recommend. However, you wouldn't be upset if you had to drink it, making it a "Don't Recommend" choice. It can serve as an emergency option, and its availability at Trader Joe's stores is convenient. The single-serving packets are another factor to consider. Overall, it's a decent option for certain situations.
As for Zayn and Heath's matcha, considering their primary focus on coffee, I can't fault them for not being matcha experts. It's not the worst, but I did find it quite bitter, and the price is on the higher side.
I had quite a few requests to try this matcha, but I have to admit, it left me feeling rather underwhelmed. The strong bitterness and the fact that it didn't blend well with milk were major drawbacks.