The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
As someone who loves a daily fun drink, matcha lattes called to me, but not all matcha is created equal. I tried four different powders sold in stores to see which one is supreme: the Ultimate Matcha Showdown!
For all of the drinks, I followed the instructions on the box to make an iced latte and used whole milk.
Jade Leaf Cafe Style Sweetened: Original
I bought this powder at Target. It is also available at Walmart and Amazon.
Taste:
This drink was pretty sweet but still had some hints of the classic matcha flavor, but is overall very light. In my opinion, the flavor is not strong enough when following the recommended instructions, especially since a full cup of milk is suggested.
Pros:
This powder is great for people who don’t like the bitterness of matcha or are new to drinking matcha. The directions are clear and the process is easy while producing a smooth drink. It also makes 15 servings, which is decent for a matcha latte mix.
Cons:
To me, the flavor is not strong enough, but it is not at the fault of the actual powder, and instead is due to the amount of powder. I also think that using alternative milk would overpower the flavor of the matcha. However, this is a common issue with most matcha drinks.
Overall, I like this powder and have bought it multiple times.
Jade Leaf Culinary Grade
I bought this powder at Target. It is also available at Walmart and Amazon.
Taste:
This drink did not have specific instructions, but I tried to follow it as closely as possible. I used 1 1/2 tsp of powder in 6 oz of milk, since it did not specify to wisk in water first. Because of this, there was a strong bitter flavor that felt out of place in milk. I could not taste the classic matcha flavor, but that is likely from the amount of milk used.
Pros:
This powder is great to use in food and to make weaker lattes taste stronger. I think it is worth the money as well, since it has 30 servings and is more versatile. I believe it would also go well with alternative milks that are sweetened, since it is inherently strong.
Cons:
I don’t think this powder is quality standalone in a latte, especially for people who don’t like bitter drinks. The instructions are not clear, so it is also harder for people new to matcha to start with.
While I don’t like this powder alone, I like to mix it with other weaker ones as it enhances the flavor.
Sweet Matcha by Rishi
I bought this powder at Whole Foods. It is available at Target online, Walmart, and Amazon.
Taste:
To me, this drink tasted very similar to the Jade Leaf Latte Mix. It was light, sweet, and still had some of the earthy flavor. I think it was slightly sweeter than the Jade Leaf.
Pros:
This powder would also be good for people who are new to matcha since it has very clear instructions and is not bitter.
Cons:
This only makes 10 servings and is as weak as the Jade Leaf Latte Mix while using more powder overall, so it is less worth the price. It will also not work well with an alternative milk.
Ultimately, I will finish the powder, but I don’t think I will repurchase it.
Trader Joe’s Matcha Latte Mix
Taste:
I cannot explain exactly what this powder tasted like, but it was not good. It was kind of minty, not bitter, milky, and not really like matcha. Drinking this “matcha” was a strange experience and far from my favorite.
Pros:
This was the cheapest powder and has milk already in the mix, so you don’t need to buy a separate milk.
Cons:
It only makes five servings, and each drink is only 5 oz. Plus, the milk powder contains dairy, so there is no option for it to be vegan.
This powder is half the price of the other ones, but the quality reflects that. I would not recommend this, and honestly, I don’t think I can finish the container.
And the Matcha Showdown Winner Is…
I think, of the matcha powders you can find at your supermarkets and online, Jade Leaf tastes the best and gives you the most bang for your buck. However, it would be wise to try various brands for yourself to see what fits your taste and cravings the best. As far as fun drinks go, matcha is easy, fast, and delicious, making it the perfect self care drink.
If you want to experience matcha made by a professional, here are the best spots to try in Gainesville!