Robert L. K—April 26, 2025
I’m so glad I found this matcha. It’s fresh, it’s smooth, and it’s just really easy to enjoy. When I first opened the tin, the bright green color and the soft, fine texture made me feel like I picked a good one — and it didn’t disappoint. It mixes right into my lattes without any fuss, and the taste is so clean and comforting, with just a little natural sweetness. No bitterness at all. I also love knowing it’s organic, so I feel good about using it every day. If you’re thinking about trying matcha or just want something gentle to start your day, this is a really lovely choice. Read more
Number8—December 18, 2025
A few weeks ago, I decided to purchase several of the top-selling Chinese matcha products on Amazon to conduct a side-by-side comparison. My intention was to test them under the same conditions and share my honest experience for anyone considering these products. A Little Background About Me As a daily matcha drinker, I consider myself somewhat of a matcha snob. I've tried various mid- to high-end Japanese brands and a few Western-Japanese ones, mainly from Amazon. I enjoy my matcha without sweeteners, typically having a latte and an usucha each day, with an occasional koicha if the quality is good. This routine gives me a sensitive palate, which might bias my reviews. Given the current matcha shortage in Japan, I wanted to explore Chinese matcha available on Amazon for daily lattes, though I wasn't looking for something for usucha. After testing nine different Chinese matcha products, I found none suitable for my taste. However, beginners or those who enjoy sweetened drinks might appreciate some of these options. I have tried higher-quality Chinese matcha from other sources that I would consider for lattes and even usucha, but those aren't typically found on Amazon, similar to high-end Japanese matcha. How I Evaluated These Matchas My ratings are based on the following criteria: - Color (dry powder and prepared) - Texture and fineness - Aroma - Whisking and microfoam quality - Mouthfeel - Bitterness and astringency - Overall balance and drinkability 👉 These ratings are comparative only among the Chinese matcha products sold on Amazon, not against Japanese matcha as a whole. A Quick Note on Flavor Descriptors You’ll notice that I frequently mention “grassy,” so it’s important to clarify what I mean by that. In this context, a grassy note in matcha is different from the vegetal characteristics commonly referenced when describing matcha's flavor. For me, vegetal notes can feel fresh, green, and clean, whereas grassy notes refer to a muddy, astringent, sometimes dirt-like mouthfeel, especially when unbalanced. Some Japanese matchas may have grassy notes, but they are generally balanced with other flavor profiles like umami, nuttiness, and creaminess. In many of the products I tested here, grassiness dominated the flavor, and I couldn't detect much umami or other tastes. It's also worth mentioning that many of these matchas seem to originate from the same region and possibly the same factories. Some may be white-label products with different quality standards from the same factory. I can confidently say that none of these matchas were true stone-milled matcha, regardless of what the sellers advertised. The powders were generally coarser and grainier than high-quality Japanese matcha. Lastly, please note that the photos may not accurately reflect the true color of the matcha due to lighting and oversaturated imaging from my iPhone. # Individual Rankings (From Worst to Best) 9. MatchaAdmire ⭐️ 1 / 5 This was the most difficult matcha for me to drink. The powder had a noticeably brownish tone, with very high bitterness and astringency, resulting in a muddy mouthfeel. Even when used as a latte base, it felt harsh and unbalanced. I wasn’t able to finish the cup. 8. Efoofan ⭐️ 1 / 5 This matcha had the weakest color in the group and a very coarse texture. While it was slightly less harsh than the previous entry, it remained highly astringent, muddy, and grassy. I found it unenjoyable without heavy masking. 7. VenturePal ⭐️ 1.5 / 5 VenturePal had better color and slightly improved frothing compared to the two below it, but bitterness and astringency were still high. The texture remained coarse, and overall balance was lacking. 6. MatchAiA – Ceremonial Grade ⭐️ 2 / 5 The color was a few shades better than the lower-ranked products, and bitterness was reduced, but the powder was still grainy and strongly grassy with noticeable astringency. This seems to be a white-label product from the same source as Emerail, but at a lower quality tier. 5. CHAYEAH ⭐️ 2.5 / 5 This was a noticeable step up. The color improved, and it finally smelled like actual matcha. However, grassy green tea notes still dominated the flavor. I could see this being enjoyable for beginners or those who prefer sweeteners, but the marketing claims about usucha or koicha seem unrealistic at this quality level. 4. Chaism – Ceremonial Grade (Single Origin) ⭐️ 2.5 / 5 Chaism had promising color and excellent frothing. The first few sips were acceptable, but the aftertaste became muddy and unpleasant for me. This may come down to personal preference, but despite its better appearance, the finish was not enjoyable. 3. Chaism Premium Harvest ⭐️ 3 / 5 This was an improvement over the Single Origin version, with better balance, less bitterness, and a more approachable flavor overall. It remained grassy but was less aggressive, making it workable for daily lattes with moderate sweetener. 2. Emerail Matcha ⭐️ 4 / 5 Emerail was one of the strongest performers in this comparison. The powder felt fresher, had a cleaner aroma, and exhibited lower bitterness and astringency. It whisked easily with water, creating a pleasant matcha experience.good microfoam. Still grassy, but better controlled and smoother than most competitors. It’s clear this brand keeps the better material for its own label. 1. Jiuyu Matcha ⭐️ 4 / 5 The best overall performer among the Chinese matcha I tested on Amazon. It had the best color, a strong and pleasant green-tea aroma, smoother texture, and lower bitterness. While slightly grassier than Emerail, it was less grainy and had a better overall mouthfeel. Final Thoughts I wouldn't use any of these matchas for my daily latte. That said, this doesn’t mean they won’t work for others. These matchas can be suitable if: 1- You’re new to matcha 2- You primarily drink matcha lattes with syrups 3- And you want an affordable daily option Lastly, I wanted to mention that I’ve had excellent Chinese matcha outside of Amazon, including some I would happily drink daily and even use for usucha. Based on this comparison, those higher-end options simply aren’t what’s commonly available on Amazon right just as is the case for well-known Japanese-owned brands. This review reflects my personal palate and preparation style, and I hope it helps others choose a product that best fits how they enjoy matcha. Read more
