Caffeine aficionados around the world are replacing their morning cup of joe with a bright green drink: Matcha. The trendy beverage, which hails from across the Pacific in Japan, has been around for thousands of years, but thanks to social media, it’s safe to say we’re in the middle of a matcha renaissance — a Matchaissance.

According to Google Trends, in 2025, search interest in matcha reached an all-time high in the past five years. The tea has become so in demand that NBC News recently reported that Japan is facing a shortage, among other factors, which is leading to a rise in cost.

So, why the hype around this popular beverage? It has a surprisingly large number of benefits … and happens to be very tasty. The Shop TODAY team is filled with matcha enthusiasts, so we asked registered dietitians to break down the positive effects. Plus, we curated a list of our favorite matcha powders and products to make a cafe-worthy cup.

What is matcha?

Matcha comes from the Tencha green tea plant, explains registered dietitian Jennifer Weis, which is then ground into powder form and mixed with hot water, most commonly enjoyed as a tea.

“Matcha is green tea with flair,” says Sahar Berjis, a registered dietitian. “Think of it as the more sophisticated, wellness-savvy cousin of your average tea bag.” She explains that since the entire tea leaf is ground into a fine powder, it means you’re “soaking up all the nutrients, antioxidants and earthy goodness that come with it.”

There are also two types of matcha powders, and Weis breaks down the differences:

• Ceremonial grade: It’s of higher quality and has a smoother taste, and is meant to be consumed on its own. However, she says it is more expensive.

• Culinary grade: A matcha that notes a stronger flavor, but pairs well with milk for lattes or in a baked good, Weis says.

What are the benefits of drinking matcha?

Both dietitians agree that matcha is rich in antioxidants, and with that comes a plethora of health benefits, including supporting brain health, anti-inflammatory and fighting free radicals, which Weis says are molecules that can damage cells and contribute to disease. “Catechins, also an antioxidant, may help reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, aka ‘bad cholesterol,'” adds Weiss.

While Matcha does contain caffeine, Berjis notes that it also contains L-theanine, “which works with the caffeine to give you calm, focused energy, no crash, no jitters. Just good vibes and steady productivity.”

Matcha powders and mixes to shop

This culinary-grade matcha can be drunk traditionally or made into an iced matcha latte. You can also scoop powder into a smoothie, cookies and more recipes that call for the ingredient.

My [Garlin] current go-to matcha mix for an afternoon iced pick-me-up is this mix from Jade Leaf, which pairs perfectly with an unsweetened or vanilla almond milk. The brand makes a variety of flavors, which are also loved by Shop TODAY staffers.

For instance, video producer Anita Chomenko says she loves the strawberry and vanilla matcha mixes. “What’s nice about this is that it’s so easy to make a tasty matcha drink with flavor and make it quickly,” she says.

Chomenko says her favorite option from Jade Leaf is the ceremonial grade option. “I keep the tin in my fridge and use it to make iced matcha at home! The matcha is bright green and mixes super well with water or almond milk,” she says. “What I like about the matcha powder is that you can control the sweetness level to whatever you want. And it gives you room to experiment, too.”

“This is the same matcha that Peets uses, and I’ve had it for the past few months,” says associate editor Kamari Stewart. She loves it so much, she has purchased the larger tin and single-serve packets for on-the-go matcha.

“It’s great for remaking my favorite cafe beverages at a fraction of the price,” says Stewart.

Another Shop TODAY favorite from a popular coffee shop is this option from Blue Bottle. “I use this for an afternoon pick-me-up, and it is so smooth,” says social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo.

If you’re looking to expand your matcha tasting, this sampler set includes seven fun and tasty flavors of different matchas. Not to mention, it would make a great gift for the tea lover in your life.

Deputy managing director Jess Bender says her boyfriend is very meticulous about which matcha they keep in their home, and he keeps going back to this brand, which has been a household staple for nearly a decade.

If you’re looking for even more benefits with your matcha, commerce writer Jannely Espinal says this blend is one of her favorites for its ingredients and that it doesn’t clump when mixed. “It contains adaptogenic mushrooms, bovine collagen, ginger and turmeric,” Espinal says. “I like to use this matcha powder for my smoothie blends, pancake mixes and other beverages.”

Matcha accessories to shop

Sip your matcha in style with these highly-rated cups. Each comes with a bamboo lid and glass straw, plus two straw cleaning brushes to keep your straws sparkling.

“I’ve tried a number of frothers of this style over the years, but this one has been the best thus far in terms of foam quality,” says Bender. She says it “delivers on the frothiness” in under 30 seconds and has a long battery life.

Reviewers say that this traditional tool blends the matcha powder seamlessly, providing a bright green color.

If you prefer your matcha hot, opt for this electric glass kettle that provides a quick heat-up.

I find so much joy in cute mugs and tumblers, so as my matcha obsession grew, I knew I needed a whimsical cup to go with my daily caffeinated treat. The icon cups from Anthropologie are adorable, and I love how they come out with collectible designs for different seasons. I recently bought the black cat Halloween collection, and it makes my matcha an even happier experience. The brand sells cute fruit-themed ones, too.

Reviewers love how durable and easy to use this matcha kit is, with many saying they use it every day.

Reviewers say this frother has helped them save money by creating cafe-worthy beverages right at home. Plus, they note it’s easy to clean, too.

This editor-loved kit comes with its own tin of matcha, which Espinal says is “smooth,” “pure” and doesn’t clump. “I love this kit for new matcha drinkers who need to get into the taste. The kit comes with everything you need to get into the world of matcha tasting, including a matcha tea scoop, a whisk holder, a tea sifter and a mixing utensil for the perfect matcha blend,” she says.

Meet our experts

• Jennifer Weis, R.D., is a Registered Dietitian and the founder of Jennifer Weis Nutrition Consulting, LLC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Sahar Berjis, R.D., is a Registered Dietitian and Founder of Inner Health and Wellness in Walnut Creek, California.

How we chose

To compile our list of the best matcha and products for matcha, we interviewed Registered Dietitians and nutritionists to share the benefits of matcha. We also included editor and shopper picks to complete the list, and we always prioritize positive user reviews and feedback.