Matcha is more than just a trendy beverage—it’s a centuries-old ritual of health and vitality. Crafted with premium ingredients, the best matcha powder is celebrated for its health benefits, unique flavour, and calming texture.
Matcha is a vibrant green powder that not only energizes your mornings but also delivers a burst of antioxidants that uplift your health and wellness. However, with so many options available on the market, choosing the best matcha powder may be tough.
This blog uncovers the key qualities that define a premium matcha powder, helping you to distinguish between the best matcha powder and the rest, so you can savor every cup of matcha with relish.
Understanding Matcha Powder: What Sets the Best Apart
Not all powders are of the same quality when it comes to enjoying matcha. The best matcha powder has the finest texture, aroma, and taste, making it distinct and unique. Zenara offers premium matcha powder with the finest taste and texture, crafted with natural ingredients, and possessing all the qualities that the best matcha powder has to offer.
Here are the qualities that make the best matcha powder stand out from the others:
1. Colour, Texture, and Aroma of Matcha
If you have ever tasted Matcha tea by Zenara, you may have noticed the silky smooth texture, the fresh, inviting aroma, and the vibrant green colour, all of which make it the best matcha powder. A premium matcha powder possesses a bright, neon-green colour, indicating a rich chlorophyll content. The texture of the powder should be fine, like talcum powder, so it can blend smoothly without clumping. [1]
When choosing the best matcha powder, look for the fresh aroma, which should be grassy and slightly sweet, reflecting the high-quality leaves used. Recognizing these sensory qualities helps ensure your matcha is as vibrant and flavorful as possible.
2. Pure vs. Blended: Choosing the Right Matcha Powder for Your Needs
When selecting the type of best matcha powder for your needs, one of the key decisions is whether to opt for a pure, ceremonial-grade matcha powder or the culinary-grade version. The pure, ceremonial-grade matcha powder, like the Oritsu Matcha powder by Zenara, is made from premium and processed leaves, with a smooth texture and delicate flavor that contains multiple health benefits.
On the other hand, a blended or culinary-grade matcha, like the Kanpai Matcha powder by Zenara, is often mixed with other ingredients to make it more versatile for cooking, baking, or brewing lattes. Although it may not provide the same rich flavour, it still provides the nutritional benefits that are a hallmark of the best matcha powder. [2]
3. Organic and Sustainable: The Eco-friendly Choice
Choosing an organic and sustainable matcha powder is the best choice you can make for your health and vitality. Organic matcha is cultivated without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring that each cup is free from harmful residues, so you can enjoy the best matcha powder without worrying about the harmful fertilizer traces in your tea.
The sustainable sourcing supports environmentally-responsible farming methods, with a focus on reducing carbon footprints. By preserving ecosystems, more clean and authentic-flavoured matcha powder can be made with a richer texture. [3]
Tips for Testing: How to Spot the Best Matcha Powder?
Want to choose the best matcha powder for your tea and latte but are unsure how to test it? Here are some key test ideas to spot the best matcha powder:
- Colour: A good quality matcha powder should always have a bright green colour. The first harvest leaves, of which Matcha by Zenara is made of, are always the best. If you see yellowish or brown versions, do not choose those powders, as they have not been properly shaded or are not of the first harvest.
- Texture: The texture of the best matcha powder is always smooth and silky, like talcum powder—the finer the better. To test the smoothness of the matcha powder, do the ‘paper test’. Grab a pinch of matcha powder and smear it onto a piece of white paper. If it leaves a long, clean line, it means it is of the best quality. [4]
- Smell: The aroma of the best matcha powder should be musky, grassy, and sweet, just like wine. Look for a refreshing, subtle, vegetable, sea aroma when testing matcha powders. Refrain from purchasing a powder with a musty stench.
- Taste: the taste of the best matcha powder is characterized by a sweetish, grassy flavor of noticeable umami undernote and a subtle bitter aftertaste. The earlier the harvest, the sweeter is the taste of the matcha powder. Do not go for powders with a bitter taste, as they may be from late harvests.
- Origin: When purchasing matcha powder, it is vital to check the country of its origin. Japan is considered the production hub of the best matcha powder around the world due to its time-honoured tradition and family-owned fields.
- Price: although this indicator is of somewhat trivial nature, it is an accurate one. The matcha powder derived from ecological tea cultivation requires considerable labour and time input. Hence, the best matcha powder of the highest quality, like Zenara, will be higher than a powder from a discount chain store which may be of a low quality.
Key Takeaway
Choosing the best matcha powder from among the many options available in the market may be tough. However, you can make your choice by understanding the key qualities that set the best matcha powder apart—such as matcha powder by Zenara, the premium matcha powder for your tea, desserts, and lattes.
FAQs
How can I tell if my matcha powder is fresh?
The best matcha powder has a vibrant green colour, a fine, smooth texture, and a fresh, grassy aroma. To maintain the freshness of your matcha powder, store it in an airtight container and away from direct sunlight and humidity. Make sure to consume it within 1-3 months of opening.
Can I use culinary or beverage-grade matcha for drinking?
Yes. Although culinary or beverage-grade matcha is primarily used for cooking and baking, you can use this matcha for drinking. However, it might have a stronger, more bitter flavour, as compared to a ceremonial-grade matcha.
How much matcha should I use per serving?
Usually, 1 to 2 teaspoon (about 2g) of matcha powder is enough for a standard cup. You can adjust the quantity according to your taste preferences for a stronger or a milder flavour.
Are there any drawbacks to drinking matcha daily?
While generally safe for consumption, excessive consumption of matcha may lead to caffeine-related issues or a higher intake of certain minerals. Moderation is key when consuming matcha, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine.
References
[1] https://www.matchaeologist.com/blogs/explore/how-to-assess-the-quality-of-matcha
[2] https://healthylivingmarket.com/the-almighty-matcha
[3] https://matchaoutlet.com/blogs/articles/yes-matcha-is-sustainable-and-eco-friendly-heres-how
[4] https://matcha.com/blogs/news/how-to-choose-high-quality-matcha