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Steeping loose tea leaves is fun, but preparing a tea powder can give you countless opportunities to get creative, have fun and enjoy a super tasty tea. Looking for a powdered green tea to drink and use in recipes?

Here’s what you need to know.

What is powdered green tea?

There’s a broader and a more specific definition of powdered green tea. All green tea that’s been ground can be called a powdered green tea. For example, you could take a Dragon Well green tea, ground it and it would be a powdered green tea. You could prepare it with water, milk, or even use for cooking.

A more specific definition includes only one tea – matcha. Matcha is made from tencha, shaded, de-stalked and de-veined tea leaves and it comes from Japan. Matcha has been steadily gaining in popularity over the last 20 years, and it’s now a top tea to use in cooking and preparing all sorts of drinks – from lattes to boba.  

What’s really interesting is that almost all types of powdered green teas come from Japan.

Are all powdered teas the same?

Not all powdered green teas are the same, and not even all matcha teas are the same. If you are new to powdered green tea and are not familiar with different types, this difference may not be obvious and may not even bother you. But it should. Green tea powders vary in flavor and health benefits. For example, matcha will have more caffeine and L-theanine, because it’s shaded. That’s not to say that other powdered green teas don’t have any benefits or don’t taste good. However, they will all be different.

A green tea powder with greyish color won't make for a delicious and pretty drink you can see when scrolling on social media. In fact, it may put you off drinking matcha for good.

So, how many types of tea powders are there?  

Types of powdered green tea

Matcha

Matcha is by far the most popular powdered green tea. Authentic matcha comes from Japan and it’s used during a Japanese tea ceremony. Matcha has a stronger, more intense flavor than any other green tea, and the most beautiful, vibrant green color. Tea plants for making matcha are shaded for 3-4 weeks before harvesting. This increases the L-theanine content that gives a special umami flavor. All other green tea powders, even matcha teas from other countries, are not shaded.

If you love baking with tea, authentic matcha is the best tea to buy. It’s also the best tea for preparing with a chasen – others may not blend with water so well.

Sencha

Sencha can be powdered too, and it’s a common type of tea in Japan. However, unlike matcha, powdered sencha has larger particles, so the powder is not as silky and smooth. It’s also not shaded, so the flavor profile is different too. This tea can be great for making refreshing icy cold drinks.

Hojicha

Roasted Japanese Hojicha is often powdered too. It’s a nutty and toasty tea with lots of personality and zero resemblance to a classic green tea. You can use this type of hojicha for making lattes, baking and preparing with water.

Genmaicha

Super tasty nutty genmaicha is available as a powder too. This tea is fragrant and refreshing, with delicious nutty notes. Genmaicha tea powder is also less silky than matcha and you can use it for baking too, or for making milky drinks.

Other green tea powders

The world of powdered green tea expands outside Japan too. Many countries are now producing their own green tea powders. Matcha is produced in Mainland China, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan and other countries. While many of these powdered green teas may taste delicious, they will often be made differently than the Japanese matcha. This means, both the flavor and the number of beneficial compounds will differ. Each of these teas will have a flavor notes and character that are common in other teas from the same country.

So, which powdered green tea is the best?

There’s no right or wrong when choosing the best powdered green tea. The best tea will be the one you would like to use and drink. If you love baking with tea and want a vibrant color, authentic Japanese matcha is the best. It’s also the best tea if you are interested in tea mediations or want to get as many benefits as possible from a cup of green tea.

If you love nutty flavors, both hojicha and genmaicha powders are a brilliant choice and if you want to enjoy powdered iced tea, sencha is super easy to use. Powdered great teas from other countries may be amazing for baking, but not all will be suitable for preparing using chasen and chawan. Besides, not all will have an intense green color or fine texture of an authentic matcha. Feeling adventurous? Then an uncommon matcha is a way to go. But for a classic flavor and vibrant color with no surprises, ceremonial grade Japanese matcha is the right choice.