MyTastr

Best matcha, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Justin Iso, Karina Hoshikawa, Remy Morimoto Park, Namiko Hirasawa Chen and 4 more. Recommendations come from nymag.com, justonecookbook.com and bonappetit.com.

Drinks · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Ippodo Tea Sayaka or Ummon Matcha

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The Kyoto tea house, in business since 1717, is the name matcha people keep coming back to. Hoshikawa calls it “the best matcha I’ve ever had.” Iso calls Sayaka “balanced with just a touch of bitterness and medium body” and cooks with the stronger Ummon. Chen keeps Sayaka in her kitchen for whisking and lattes, and Ummon is her splurge.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: nymag.com ↗
  2. 2

    Kettl Matcha (Hakusan, Soukou)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Puyane calls Kettl “matcha for the matcha connoisseurs.” Meroni says its Soukou is “a fantastic one that won’t break the bank … very smooth, and I love the notes of hazelnut.” Bon Appétit’s tester named Hakusan the best matcha overall: “smooth, rich, and pretty well-priced for someone looking for the highest quality.”
    Where to buy · kettl.co ↗Instacart ↗Source: nymag.com ↗
  3. 3

    Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Chen’s pick for introducing guests to matcha: “a smooth flavor with minimal bitterness” at a reasonable price. Carina Finn found it “an incredibly balanced drink that’s slightly more floral than grassy, with very little bitterness,” and especially good in lattes.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: justonecookbook.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best matcha, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Ippodo Tea Sayaka or Ummon Matcha, chosen by Justin Iso (pastry chef); Karina Hoshikawa (Refinery29); Remy Morimoto Park (Veggiekins). The Kyoto tea house, in business since 1717, is the name matcha people keep coming back to. Hoshikawa calls it “the best matcha I’ve ever had.” Iso calls Sayaka “balanced with just a touch of bitterness and medium body” and cooks with the stronger Ummon. Chen keeps Sayaka in her kitchen for whisking and lattes, and Ummon is her splurge. Source: nymag.com ↗
What are the other top picks for matcha?
No. 2 is Kettl Matcha (Hakusan, Soukou), chosen by Michelle Puyane (Chalait, NYC); Kader Meroni (Atlas Tea Club). No. 3 is Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend, chosen by Namiko Hirasawa Chen (Just One Cookbook). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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