Where to buy the best matcha online

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Matcha is just about everywhere these days. Even while walking through the tea aisle at the grocery store, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed at the sheer amount of options available. Tiny fancy tins, single-serve sticks, sweetened latte mixes...where do you start?

If you’re like half the US population, you likely kick off your research online before making a purchase [1]. And with matcha sold on the web, the internet is a logical place to gather information and discover new matcha companies worldwide.

Not every tea drinker is looking for $50 exotic metal matcha tins with Japanese labels, so I created this list of the best places to buy matcha online organized by most affordable, ceremonial grade, Japanese brands, and sweetened mixes.

You might also be interested in reading about our blind taste test to discover the best matcha brand!

Most affordable matcha

Compared to most other tea, matcha is pricey. The average price of high quality ceremonial grade is $25-30 for a 1oz (30g) tin [2]. The reason being that matcha takes a lot more labor and steps to manufacture, such as removing veins and stems from leaves. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t more affordable matcha options for everyday drinking.

Some factors that contribute to a lower price point are harvesting leaves from the second flush (not first), less attention to detail in deveining and destemming, and less time shading the tea plant [3]. If you’re looking for a matcha to use in lattes or for baking, affordable culinary grades are actually better for mixing! (Win, win).

1. The Tea Spot - High Grade Japanese Matcha ($30, 3.5oz)

The Tea Spot’s culinary grade matcha comes straight from Shizuoka, Japan. At first glance, $30 seems steeper than other affordable matcha sold online, but when you consider it’s about twice as big as most other tins, it’s quite the bargain that’s hard to beat. You can also buy bamboo whisks, gift sets, and ceremonial grade matcha from The Tea Spot.

2. Republic of Tea - Daily Matcha ($15.50, 1.5oz)

Perhaps more well known for its distinct, tall cylinder tea tins, Republic of Tea also sells a premium matcha made for everyday drinking and cooking. Be sure to also browse an assortment of other matcha options like Organic Matcha and U-Matcha Charcoal, a matcha mixed with activated charcoal.

3. Harney & Sons - Organic Matcha ($20, 1.06oz)

Harney & Sons carries a well-earned reputation as a purveyor of quality tea, which applies to their organic matcha as well, with a 4.9 star rating. While this is their most affordable option, Harney & Sons offers the full spectrum of matcha options online, from a 1-lb bag of everyday matcha to extra thick grade.

Ceremonial grade

The experienced matcha drinker may have a more developed craving for the revered ceremonial grade, meant only for mixing with water and giving off a smooth finish. Ceremonial grade matcha is stone ground, strictly from Japan, and shaded in the growing process for the appropriate length of time [4]. The extra labor of love translates into a slightly higher price and a deliciously frothy experience.

4. Senbird Tea - Matcha Konayuki ($39.99, 0.7oz)

Matcha Konayuki hails from the Uji prefecture in Kyoto, renowned for its fine matcha. This high quality ceremonial matcha is meant for a thickly prepared matcha called koicha. Senbird Tea sources all tea direct from tea farmers in Japan, so you can read up on Hiroshi Sato, Matcha Konayuki’s farmer.

P.S: Save 15% on all Senbird Tea products with code: steepedreams

5. Japanese Green Tea Co. - Ceremonial Matcha ($65, 1.06oz)

Japanese Green Tea Co.’s ceremonial matcha is uniquely grown with a sugarcane soil method, which produces a sweeter green tea. This award-winning matcha has won the Global Tea Championship for three years in 2017, 2018 and 2019, so rest assured you’re getting a product well-worth its price.

P.S: Save 10% on Japanese Green Tea Co. products with code: steepeddreams

6. Maeda-en - Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder ($25, 1oz)

Maeda-en is a household name in green tea. In fact, you’ll likely see this brand of matcha in your local Japanese or East Asian grocery store. This is the brand I am most familiar with as well, having seen it just about anywhere that sells matcha in person. If you’re looking for a stock matcha to buy online, you can’t go wrong with this tried and true brand.

Straight out of Japan

Although most matcha is from Japan like what’s featured on this list (there is also Chinese matcha), I wanted to specifically feature a few other Japanese brands that grow and sell their very own tea to ship worldwide, no middlemen involved. This matcha makes for great gift giving and comes with a bit more of an exotic mystique, as it’s farm-direct from across the ocean.

7. Obubu Tea - Okumidori Matcha ($17.29, 0.88oz)

Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms has a unique mission to cultivate quality tea, educate on all things tea, and contribute to the local and global community. They sell matcha directly from their farms with worldwide shipping available. Obubu Tea’s Okumidori Matcha is described as “delicately sweet with underlying elements of green pea and mango” with “a subtle coconut aroma.”

Even if you’re not ready to buy, their online resources like a tea club, events and virtual tours are definitely worth checking out!

8. Ippodo Tea - Sayaka ($35, 1.4oz)

It’s easy to get lost in Ippodo’s selection of quality matcha, but Sayaka is especially recommended for beginner tea drinkers. Each product page includes recipes on how to prepare your matcha a multiple of different ways so you can make the most of your Ippodo matcha. The tea farm is a family-run Japanese tea company founded in 1717—quite literally steeped in tradition.

⭐ Read my review of Ippodo Tea

9. Ochaski - Kyoma Kyoto Organic Matcha ($54.50, 1.76oz)

Ochaski’s Kyoma is 100% organic matcha straight from a family run tea farm in Uji, Japan, the birthplace of matcha. All Ochaski tea is shipped through its sister company, Takashi, which sells a range of 100% Japanese household goods and products directly from Tokyo. If you’re in the mood for some other Japanese goodies, it’s worth bundling your matcha and getting free shipping.

Sweetened matcha latte mixes

DIY baristas and those of us with a sweet tooth may prefer a pre-sweetened matcha mix to easily blend up lattes and indulgent green tea treats. Sweet matcha is comparatively affordable and fairly widespread, meaning in-person stores near you may carry it if you want to try before buying your matcha online first.

10. Rishi - Sweet Matcha ($9, 4.4oz)

Made of just cane sugar and matcha, Rishi’s Sweet Matcha mix is perfect for both hot and cold barista drinks. Their site has a ton of creative matcha recipes to try as well.

11. Jade Leaf Matcha - Organic Cafe Style Matcha Latte Mix ($9.95, 5.03oz)

I first learned about Jade Leaf Matcha while doing research for my blog 8 farm-direct Japanese green tea brands and I truly love this brand. All tea is sourced from family-run tea farms in Japan. The Matcha Latte Mix is just organic cane sugar and organic matcha. You may be able to find Jade Leaf Matcha at a Target, Walmart, or Sam’s Club near you, so be sure to check out their store locator.

12. Ito En - matcha LOVE Barista Craft Blend Sweetened Powder Mix ($13.99, 8oz)

Ito En is another giant in the Japanese matcha world, and most recognizable in most Japanese supermarket shelves around the world for their ready-to-drink bottled green teas. I’m guilty of buying the giant green tea jugs, but I digress. Back to the matcha. Their Barista Craft blend is a mix of real sugar and matcha, and is good for 15 cups of your favorite matcha drink.

[1] “Shopping Research before Purchase Statistics - Think with Google.” Google, Google, www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/shopping-research-before-purchase-statistics/.
[2] “High Quality Matcha vs. Low Quality Matcha.” AIYA Matcha, aiya-america.com/blog/high-quality-matcha-vs-low-quality-matcha/.
[3] “Everything You Need to Know about Matcha.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Jan. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzMyC_9iaMQ.
[4] “Matcha Tea.” TeaUSA News, www.teausa.com/14940/matcha-tea.

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about the author

Hello, is it tea you’re looking for? Raquel is an Arizona-based tea drinker who writes about tea as a side hobby. Her current favorites are Earl Grey with a splash of milk and any Japanese green tea.