Found: An At-Home Matcha Latte That Tastes Better Than My Favorite Coffee Shop

I start most mornings with a walk around the neighborhood and, as a bit of a matcha enthusiast, my bank statements are littered with charges from local cafes. And in a city like New York, those charges add up quickly. Over the past six months I've visited more than 50 coffee shops and spent at least $20 per week on matcha lattes. 

I made the switch from coffee to matcha a few years ago, and I felt an impact immediately. My stress levels went down, I was significantly less anxious, and those dreaded afternoon slumps were fewer and farther between. 

Science backs the benefits of matcha, too. The green tea powder has been linked with an improved attention span and memory1, enhanced brain function2, and even a healthier liver3.

Matcha also has high amounts of L-theanine, which gives a more balanced energy boost than coffee by simultaneously promoting a calm nervous system. Where coffee would leave me with that tired-yet-wired feeling, matcha makes me energized yet relaxed.

Matcha also has phenolic acids that have been shown to help support metabolic health4, and it's loaded with nearly three times as much of the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as other green teas, which helps promote the body's natural detoxification processes4.

Golde is a female-founded, Brooklyn-born company making 100% natural and vegan-friendly superfood essentials. 

I could tell the matcha was high-quality from the crisp green color alone. The ceremonial-grade green tea is sourced directly from Uji, Japan, where it's organically grown.

Golde's Pure Matcha is radiation-free, heavy-metal-free, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Of course, these were all bare minimum qualifications in my quest for the best matcha powder.

What mattered beyond that was the taste and consistency. Most other powders I tested were clumpy, chalky, and bitter—but the Golde Pure Matcha powder is smooth and mellow. 

The Golde Pure Matcha is smooth enough to drink mixed with water alone, but I love to enhance the natural flavor with a touch of maple syrup and a bit of my favorite nondairy milk.