Hi, my beautiful readers! Are you looking for the best matcha for lattes? Well then, you are at the right place for that. I would like to call myself a latte connoisseur—you will find loads of latte recipes on my blog. One of my favorites is a matcha latte. Not only are there many kinds of matcha lattes, but there are also many different types of matcha powder. So, for today’s blog post, I thought I would share my favorite picks for my own Home Café (a word for bringing the café experience to your home) and how you could find the best picks for yourself.
🍵 Are you a green tea lover?
I have a blog post, Best Green Tea to Buy | Picks for Health, Flavor & Value. Just like this post, I have chosen my best green tea picks that you can easily purchase, mostly from anywhere around the world. As someone who grew up in Korea and Japan, green tea has always been part of our daily lives. So, based on everything I’ve learned throughout my life about green tea, I tried to explain it as easily as I could in this blog post.
Best Green Tea to Buy in 2025 | Picks for Health, Flavor & Value
Here are the best green teas to buy in 2025—my picks for sencha, jasmine, and more. Learn the flavors, health benefits, and values I learned throughout my life.
Introduction to The Best Matcha for Lattes
To learn all about the basics of matcha, I have an extended blog post about it with the oat milk matcha latte recipe. You can view the blog post: Everything About Matcha | Oat Milk Matcha Latte Recipe. In this blog post, I’ve talked about the essential information about matcha, including:
- Taste of matcha
- Matcha vs Green Tea
- Caffeine content in matcha
- How to store matcha
- Other matcha recipes
I’ll go over this information briefly in this post, too. 😊
Matcha Popularity within Gen Z & Millennials
Matcha and green tea have always been part of my everyday life, so what is all the fuss about the matcha now? I’ve read news that matcha has become so popular among Gen Z and millennials as a healthy drink around the world, but especially in the U.S.
It is healthy, delicious, and boosts our energy without jitters. Not only does it have a moderate amount of caffeine, but the green color is also helpful to boost our minds.
Did you see the green baked goods or desserts with matcha latte on the side? It is so green; it clears my mind already! Like this vanilla matcha latte with matcha mochi.
Vanilla Matcha Latte Recipe | Japanese Matcha Drink Recipe
This vanilla matcha latte recipe is a beautiful green tea matcha drink recipe! You’ll fall in love with the earthy, round, slightly bitter, and sweet flavors. 💚
Health Benefits of Matcha
Besides the taste, the numerous health benefits of matcha are why I keep reaching for it in the morning. We all grew up with the saying “You need to eat your greens.” Did you know that matcha would be part of the greens, too? Yes! Matcha is a green tea powder that is packed with chlorophyll and antioxidants. This vibrant powder offers more than just the good vibes you get from the caffeine in matcha.
🧠 Brain Boost
Several studies have found that matcha may help improve our focus, memory, and motivation thanks to its combination of caffeine and other antioxidants. It’s quite like how drinking coffee gives us a boost.
👶 Supports Fertility
The compounds found in green tea, such as polyphenols, vitamin E, selenium, and more, can support reproductive health. If you know someone who might find this information helpful, please let them know!
💪 Strengthens Bones
Matcha is surprisingly rich in vitamin K, which helps your body absorb calcium and strengthen your bones. Sip matcha, and let’s get strong.
🌟 Glowy Skin
Matcha is full of antioxidants that our skin needs to keep its elasticity and tone. That is the reason why you can find many K-beauty skincare products that have green tea or green tea extract as ingredients.
Here are some of the popular green tea K-beauty products, if you are interested!
- Green tea seed hyaluronic cream, Innisfree: Light cream made with green tea seed oil to hydrate and protect skin
- Calming serum green tea, Beauty of Joseon: Semi-transparent light green serum that is great for sensitive skin
All Natural Beauty Tips | 3 Proven Foods for Healthy Skin
I wrote a whole post about natural foods that help with skin health—and you guessed it right, matcha is one of the top three! Read more to learn about the other two.
🍽️ Appetite Control
Leafy greens, in general, have a great ability to gently curb our appetite. Matcha and green tea are included here. These drinks have been used in Japanese wellness routines for centuries.
Benefits of Green Tea for Boosting Antiviral Immune Function
Environmental Benefits of Matcha
Many of you might already know a lot about the health benefits of matcha—there are so many of them, I call matcha “the green elixir”! But did you know that matcha is not only good for our bodies but also for our planet Earth?
1. Low-Water Crop
The tea plants, the plant that is used for matcha, typically require less water than coffee crops. While both require water for farming and processing, coffee can be water-intensive, especially during the washing and processing stages. Green tea and matcha, on the other hand, are processed dry. And one important note here: this is why it is great to choose organic matcha and green tea, because in most cases, green tea leaves are processed without being thoroughly.
Disclaimer: I am not blaming anyone who drinks coffee because coffee crops require more water! We can just appreciate the tea plants while we are drinking matcha. I love them both, and there are reasons why coffee and green tea are the top two most loved drinks in the world.
2. Minimal Waste
Matcha is made by grinding the entire green tea leaf into powder, so you consume the whole leaf. That means there are not only teabags or filters left behind but also organic matter left, like regular tea or coffee.
3. All-Natural Ingredients
I get quite disappointed when I see some tea with artificial scent. You’d be surprised how many types of tea sold in stores (luxury stores included) contain artificial scents. It goes the same with any drinks sold at stores, such as soda or energy drinks.
But with matcha, it is nearly guaranteed that all the ingredients are 100% natural. In some cases, they add other ingredients, but they would mention that on the packaging, such as chaga mushroom, matcha, or matcha latte powder. Still, most of them would be made out of 100% natural ingredients. Just remember to watch out for sugar content in matcha latte powders!
We can feel good about our choice of drink when we are drinking matcha!
Matcha As A Greener Choice
So yes, matcha is a greener choice, literally and environmentally, than any other drink I can think of! Plus, matcha is often grown on small farms using low-impact methods in Korea and Japan. It’s a win for your wellness and the planet.
So, should we look at how to find the best matcha for lattes?
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5 Things to Look for in the Best Matcha for Lattes
All matcha is great for our health, but I wouldn’t deny the fact that not all of them are created equal. A great matcha latte starts with the right powder—one that has great taste and color and is a healthier and eco-friendly choice.
So, how do I select which matcha powders to buy for my lattes? Here are the five key things to consider: grades, flavor & color, origin, organic, and last but not least, price per gram.
1. Grades: Ceremonial Grade Matcha VS Culinary Matcha
The grade of matcha tells you how it’s intended to be used, because it shows the different processing methods used to create matcha.
Ceremonial Grade Matcha
If you are looking for matcha for lattes, “ceremonial grade” is the thumbs-up certificate for you. Ceremonial grade matcha is made from the youngest, most tender tea leaves and has a naturally delicate, fresh flavor instead of bitter taste that you usually get from lower quality matcha. Ceremonial grade matcha is a Japanese term, though, so you would mostly find this in mark on Japanese products. But this is the highest grade in strict Japanese quality terms, so this would be a perfect pick! However, you might not necessarily find this mark when you buy Korean matcha.
Culinary Matcha
Culinary grade matcha is more robust, slightly more bitter, and has yellowish-greish-green color than the ceremonial grade. This is the one you should steer away from, if you want to make matcha latte. Culinary matcha is used in baking and cooking for its stronger taste and lower price point. When heated in high temperature, the vibrant color and fresh taste from high quality matcha will get dull. So in cooking, they opt for the culinary matcha grade, and usually add some colors.
🌟 Fun fact about culinary matcha: Some cooking matcha will add spirulina powder so it gets more vibrant color in cooking!
From left to right: latte-grade matcha, culinary-grade matcha, and spirulina powder. Do you see how almost blueish-green the spirulina powder is?
So here are two of the most significant and easy grades to look for when you are searching for matcha for lattes. However, many matchas fall somewhere in between these ceremonial and culinary grades. But don’t worry, let me help you find a great matcha with these other factors.
2. Flavor & Color
The most important way to find the best matcha is, well, to taste it, smell it, and see it. This is a bit of a try-and-fail method, but it works the best.
The best way to tell a good matcha is to see it, taste it, and smell it. But there are certainly some other ways to check the quality of the matcha.
Good matcha: Good matcha should have a fresh, smooth, and slightly earthy taste with little to no bitterness. Color is also a big indicator of quality-look for a vibrant, bright green hue.
Bad matcha: Dull or yellowish matcha tends to taste bitter. These are usually found in culinary grade matcha, or it could also mean that it has been oxidated and no longer good.
I got these two types of matcha—both of them are organic matcha from Jeju Island with similar price points, but look how different they are in color! They taste different, too.
3. Origin
Most people know about Japanese matcha. But did you know that there is matcha from Korea, too? In Korea, it is called “malcha,” and it is very unique! I wanted to include this section about the origin of matcha in the post dedicated to it, so you know why I chose Korean matcha in the post as one of the top matcha powders for lattes. In Korea, many cafes, including Starbucks, make matcha lattes with the Korean malcha from Jeju Island!
Jeju Island, South Korea
Jeju island is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its pristine environment, volcanic soil, and mineral-rich water-all of which create ideal conditions for growing high-quality green tea. The island is located on the southern part of South Korea, and grows most of the green tea and matcha produced in Korea.
Japan
But of course, we have to talk about matcha from Japan, too! There are many green tea & matcha-growing regions in Japan-Uji (Kyoto), Nishido, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima. Due to the tea ceremony tradition in Japan, matcha from Japan has gained the world recognition.
4. Organic
If you want to drink matcha regularly like me, opting for organic matcha can be a healthier and more eco-conscious choice. Matcha and green tea are processed without washing after harvest, so choosing organic is even more important to me. Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Not only is it better for us and the planet, but I find organic produce tastes better in many cases.
According to the Global Japanese Tea Association, there are several prefectures that are encouraging organic tea production in Kyushu due to growing international interest in organic matcha. That’s great news!
5. Price per Gram
Last but not least, should we talk about the price? And I like to talk about price per gram, because it is the most accurate one. Some products have big fancy packaging with little matcha in, and we want to avoid that. With the rise of matcha popularity around the world, it has become even pricier, and some places have sold out.
Matcha prices can vary quite a lot, from budget-friendly culinary matcha to premium ceremonial tins. But for matcha for lattes, we want to aim for high quality with a good price point. I wouldn’t give exact numbers for it, because it depends on tariffs, currency, and the green tea harvest.
But fear not, my dear, I will give you the best picks I have found!
Best Matcha Powder for Lattes | My Top 3 Picks for Home Café
1. Naoki Matcha Organic Ceremonial First Spring Blend
- Organic, first spring harvest – the highest quality leaves of the year
- 10-15 microns extra fine grind ceremonial-grade matcha
- A bit of roasty notes with low bitterness
- From Kagoshima, Japan
✅ If you ask me about the highest quality of matcha, I would tell you about this one.
This is truly smooth, vibrant, and ceremonial. Naoki is a famous matcha brand, and I have to say this is my favorite. Yes, it’s organic and ceremonial-grade, but this is from the first spring harvest, ground to a 10-15 micron extra fine grind! That’s to the next level. This is from the first spring harvest, which means the highest quality leaves of the year. Do you remember how the first sprouts from the ground and trees in the spring? This is made from those green tea leaves.
👎 I highly recommend this in any case, but this is a bit pricey. You’d be able to make 20-25 cups from this 40g / 1.4oz, and it is $ 26.99.
My morning routine is to start with a cup of matcha. When I drink it so regularly, it’s more important to get organic matcha. Whew, I really need some energy boost in the morning sometimes. Who’s with me?
2. Premium Japanese Ceremonial Matcha Bulk Bag, Matcha Organics Store
- The first harvest, ceremonial grade
- Great value in a bulk bag (3.53oz / 100g)
- Organic Japanese matcha
✅ In my opinion, this is one of the most trustworthy quality matchas you can get for a great price! This is in a bulk bag, usually about 2.5 times more matcha than usual. Therefore, it is offered at a great price. This is ceremonial grade matcha from an organic farm in Japan. That’s a quality insurance right there.
👎 It is in a bulk paper bag, so it doesn’t come with fancy tin packaging. But that means we, as consumers, are saving money for that!
3. Osulloc Matcha Powder, Premium Organic
- Offered in two culinary-grade & latte-grade
- Grown organically in volcanic soil in Jeju Island, South Korea
- Budget-friendly options
✅ Last but not least, Osulloc matcha powder from Jeju Island! This matcha is grown organically in volcanic soil and a clean environment, and is offered at a good price. If you are on a budget, you can choose between the two from the link: the culinary-grade and the latte-grade. The latte-grade matcha powder has a deep green color that is so beautiful, and has a smooth, earthy taste.
If you are trying Korean matcha for the first time, I hope you try this Osulloc premium organic matcha for the unique matcha experience!
👎 Osulloc matcha might be on the darker side of the matcha, which you might not be so happy about if you were looking for vibrant green Instagram-worthy pictures.
Welcome to my matcha world! I love everything matcha.
My Other Matcha Recipes
If you are crazy about matcha like me, or want to try some matcha recipes, here are some of my favorites.
Oat Milk Matcha Latte Recipe | Everything About Matcha
Matcha Gelato Recipe | Healthy Ninja Creami Recipe
Matcha Float | Matcha Ice Cream Soda
Vanilla Matcha Latte | Japanese Matcha Drink Recipe
🙋♀️Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use culinary-grade matcha for lattes?
A. Yes, you can. As a matter of fact, many cafes in Norway, where I live, serve matcha latte with culinary-grade matcha. So, even some cafes and restaurants do that. Although culinary-grade matcha is usually intended for cooking and baking, you could certainly do it. Just please note that it might taste slightly more bitter, and the matcha latte will be a little more grey than the ones I recommend.
Q. What milk pairs best with matcha?
A. Great question! Every milk has its own characteristics, pros and cons, so it depends on what you are looking for.
You can check out my blog post, Best Milk for Creamy Matcha Latte | How to Find Your Favorite for more information.
But to give you quick answers, matcha pairs beautifully with plant-based milks. My personal favorite is oat and soy milk. Especially, soymilk has been a part of East Asian culinary culture and goes very well with matcha.
Summary of the Best Matcha for Latte
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about the best matcha for latte! It is always a pleasure to research and write about this topic and share it with you all. I hope my top 3 picks help you to find the best matcha for you, but also that you learned a whole new thing about the matcha, so you can find the best matcha for you around you. (Sometimes it might not be easy to find the matcha I recommended near where you live.) At the end of the day, the best matcha for lattes depends on your taste, budget, and lifestyle. And any kind of matcha is healthy for you anyway, so just find what is available around you if you can’t find the exact one I mentioned above.
Until next time!
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