Taste DNA
Reviews
The reviewer compares the current tea favorably against this one, stating that Kinren has a flavor profile she does not like. She ranks it below the tea she is currently tasting.
The reviewer prepares a latte with this powder and oat milk, describing the smell and taste as "very mild." She notes that it "lacks depth" and is "not that sweet," concluding that while it is "good to drink like for every day," it is "just fine" rather than mind-blowing.
I finally tried this matcha after hearing it is an umami lover's dream. I prepared it as a latte, despite knowing some people consider it wasteful to use such high-grade matcha with milk. The powder smelled very savory and seaweedy right from the start. Upon tasting, I found it to be incredibly good with a really full-bodied mouthfeel. It is very rich, making it feel like a special treat rather than a daily drinker. While I definitely see the hype, I think I still prefer the Mino Mukashi slightly more.
I made my morning matcha using good old Sayaka, which has been one of my favorites. However, with the new price increase pushing a 40g tin over $50, I don't think it's worth it for daily drinking anymore. While I understand the price hike was long overdue given the brand's accessibility, it's just not sustainable for me as an everyday matcha. It puts me at a crossroads because anything more affordable tastes worse. Despite the cost issues, the taste is still 'Oh my god. So good.' I'll be savoring every last drop of the stash I bought before the increase.
I mentioned this as an honorable mention because it is quite similar to Sayaka flavor-wise. It is a little less creamy than Sayaka and has a more savory-forward taste. I didn't include it in the main ranking just because I wanted more variety in the flavor profiles.
This is my absolute number 1 matcha, though it is a seasonal New Year's release available only a few months a year. It is one of the most expensive matchas I've tried, but it has incredible depth and creaminess. If I could drink this every single day, I would.
The reviewer is pleasantly surprised by this powder from a small business, noting that the "color is quite nice" and the scent is soft rather than vegetal. She describes the flavor profile as having "really nice nutty and roasted notes at the end" with "hints of vanilla, creamy, sweet notes as well." While she mentions a "little bit of bitterness in the opening," she feels it balances well with the drink and observes a "nice, light umami."
The reviewer finds Izuzu "okay" but "probably wouldn't buy this again" for personal drinking. They describe it as "really creamy" with "slight nutty notes" but note it "lacks depth" and is "really mild."
I really don't like this matcha at all. It lacks everything I look for—it isn't creamy, lacks depth, and is slightly bitter and astringent. I wouldn't even recommend it as a starter matcha despite the low price. I definitely would not repurchase this and rank it as my least favorite.
The reviewer praises Ippodo's seasonal New Harvest Matcha, describing it as "so good" despite the high price point. She characterizes it as a "very smooth, medium-bodied matcha" with "nutty vanilla notes" and natural creaminess. Unlike other Ippodo blends, she notes the umami is medium and "not like a savory or seaweedy umami," but rather a "refreshing, light, balanced version."
I tried this Amazon matcha which cost about $22 for 30 grams. The powder color wasn't super vibrant and leaned a little brown. Upon whisking, it didn't look very creamy and had a slight vegetal smell with a hint of bitterness. The taste was surprisingly not as astringent as I expected and had a nice nutty aftertaste, though it had zero umami and lacked depth. It was very light-bodied with no significant mouthfeel. While I wouldn't personally repurchase it, it is one of the better options I've found on Amazon for quick delivery.
I found this matcha to be a decent option, especially compared to typical Western or Amazon brands. The color wasn't as vibrant as traditional Japanese matchas, appearing slightly duller, and the smell was mild and vegetal without being seaweedy. In a latte with oat milk, the initial taste was very smooth, though I noticed a slight bitterness and astringency in the aftertaste. While it's not my favorite compared to Sayaka which has more depth, it's not offensive at all and I'd be fine drinking it daily. It is a bit pricey at $42 for 40g, but it's accessible and reliable.
I finally tried this highly requested organic matcha from Amazon, and honestly, it's just okay for me. While the color was surprisingly bright for an organic powder, it was still slightly duller and browner than my reference ceremonial grade. The flavor profile was really bland and mild with a slight earthiness, lacking the strong matcha punch I look for. I found it had a slight powdery, gritty texture at the end, though not as bad as other Amazon finds. Because it's so mild, I wouldn't drink this on its own, but I might use it for fun, flavored lattes where the matcha taste isn't the main focus.
I would pass on this matcha, especially considering the price point. While the latte color turned out nice, the powder itself was dark and not very bright. The flavor profile was disappointing—it had a prominent green tea flavor but was bitter with little to no umami. The texture was the biggest issue for me; it was gritty and grainy rather than creamy. Given that it costs as much as better options like Ibu Sayaka, I rated it a 3 out of 10 for value.
I found this matcha to be very soft and mild, especially compared to the Shikibunomukashi. The color was crazy bright and the powder looked creamy, though the scent was quite faint. In the latte, it was sweet and creamy with no astringency or bitterness at all. It had a medium body with a mild umami level. I think it's a really good everyday option for those who don't want something super savory, and I'd definitely pick it over an Isuzu equivalent.
I found this matcha to be a very accessible option, especially if you are looking for something on Amazon. It had a distinct roasted, nutty, and creamy taste that was very soft and not bitter or astringent at all. However, it lacked the deep umami punch I usually look for in a daily drinker, being a bit softer than I prefer. While the color wasn't as vibrant as my Ippudo matcha, I think this powder is excellent for flavored lattes like strawberry or vanilla since it pairs well without clashing. I would likely keep this in my fridge for when friends come over or for a midday pick-me-up.
I finally tried this Japanese brand which is available on Amazon, and I had high hopes. The powder color was very promising with a deep green hue, and it looked really creamy and fragrant with vegetal notes. Upon tasting, I found it to be really creamy and naturally sweet, but it had zero umami. It has a nice light-to-medium mouthfeel, leaning more towards medium. While it's the best matcha I've found on Amazon so far, I don't know if I would buy it again at this price point because I really want that umami depth.
I found this to be a very solid matcha, ranking it as my number two choice for Amazon matchas. The powder isn't super bright green but is definitely vibrant and doesn't lean yellow. It has a light to medium body with a taste that lingers, featuring a nice nutty aftertaste that turns into umami. It is creamy and sweet on its own with very little astringency, making it a great option if the top choice is out of stock.
The reviewer samples Ippodo's limited edition Nodoka matcha, preparing it as a latte with oat milk and maple syrup. She notes the powder is "super green" and "very dark," while the flavor profile is "very light and creamy" with a "slightly astringent" finish. Although she finds it "mild and easy to drink," she observes it lacks the depth of other blends like Sayaka.
I'm actually pretty impressed with this matcha, especially considering it's from Amazon. While it doesn't quite match the richness or mouthfeel of Ippodo Sayaka as some rumors suggested, it is still the best option I've found on Amazon so far. The powder has a decent green color, though slightly duller and browner than my top-tier favorites like Toto Mukashi. In a latte with oat milk, it offers a flavor profile that is very floral with light umami, nice roasted notes, and very slight astringency. It has a light body and the taste leaves the mouth quickly, but for the price and accessibility, it's a solid choice I would repurchase.
I tried this fall seasonal release prepared as an oat milk latte. The color was very pretty, and while I wasn't expecting crazy depth or richness given the price point, I found it really nice and smooth. It has a light to medium body with distinct grassy notes, sitting somewhere between Ikuyo and Sayaka in terms of quality. It isn't super seaweedy, but it has a nice depth that works well in a latte. I would honestly get this again at the Japanese price point.
I really like this matcha, though I wasn't super impressed by the color compared to the Yame. I found the flavor to be quite vegetal and leafy, with a strong umami profile that isn't too sweet. While I personally love it, I acknowledge it might not be palatable for everyone due to its specific savory taste profile.
I found this to be my favorite matcha from Nami, surpassing the Kana variety in color vibrancy. It has a beautiful deep green color and a nutty, smooth aroma without any sharpness. The taste profile is nutty, smooth, and sweet with a medium mouthfeel, making it very palatable for beginners who want to avoid astringency. I would definitely repurchase this on my own.