Best matcha powders, taste-tested by a health writer

A health writer taste-tested multiple matcha powders over several months, rating them on taste, quality, mixing and the effects felt; matcha is a powdered, shade-grown green tea with about half the caffeine of coffee and contains antioxidants and L-theanine.

Matcha powders are presented as an alternative to coffee because they often deliver steadier energy and different flavour notes. Matcha is a finely ground powder from shade-grown green tea leaves that is whisked into water so the whole leaf is consumed. It contains about half the caffeine of coffee and is noted for antioxidants and the amino acid L-theanine, which are associated with steady energy and calm. A health and fitness writer tested a range of matcha powders over several months and evaluated taste, quality, how well they mixed with water and milk, and any perceived benefits. Key details: - Matcha is a finely ground powder made from shade-grown green tea leaves and is whisked directly into water rather than steeped. - The article notes matcha has about half the caffeine of coffee and contains antioxidants and L-theanine. - Matcha can be consumed as a simple bowl of tea, as a latte, blended into smoothies, or used in cooking. - The reviewer taste-tested multiple matcha powders over a period of months, rating taste, quality, mixing performance, and perceived effects. - Some matcha products can have an acquired green-vegetable aftertaste depending on the variety and quality. Summary: The review frames matcha as a lower-caffeine, antioxidant-rich alternative to coffee and reports that taste and mixing performance varied across products. The article presents the writer's ranked picks from months of testing and includes the testing criteria later in the full piece.