Review: Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Powder
My typical morning starts with coffee, but with the increasing popularity of Matcha Green Tea and Matcha Lattes, I have been eager to give it a try. So I was happy to find Matcha Green Tea Powder at Trader Joe’s.
It’s available in a small container of seven single serve packets. Each serving has only 5 calories. From a nutritional content perspective, there is not much else to report. The tea has zero fat, zero protein, and less than one gram of carbohydrate.
As with most of our food product reviews, this article includes a complete overview of the nutrition facts, calories, and ingredients. In addition, I will give you my honest opinion of Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Powder.
Matcha Green Tea Nutritional Information
Nutrition facts are based on a single serving, measured as a single packet with 1.5 grams of tea powder.
Calories in Matcha Green Tea
Each serving of Matcha Green Tea (without any added dairy or sugar) has only 5 calories.
Nutrition Summary
Serving Size 1 Packet (1.5g)
CALORIES
5TOTAL FAT
0g(0%DV)
CARBOHYDRATES
<1g(0%DV)
PROTEIN
0g| Saturated Fat | 0g (0%DV) |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg (0%DV) |
| Sodium | 0mg (0%DV) |
| Dietary Fiber | <1g (2%DV) |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Added Sugars | 0g (0%DV) |
%DV (Percent Daily Values) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Calorie needs vary and your daily value may be higher or lower. Provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.
Green Tea Ingredients and Allergens
What is Matcha Green Tea?
First discovered in China by a Japanese monk, Matcha has been around for centuries. It’s made from finely ground green tea leaves.
Most tea drinks in the U.S. are made by steeping tea leaves that are contained in a small pouch. Matcha drinks, on the other hand, are made by blending or whisking the green tea leaves directly into the water.
As a result of how the matcha beverage is made, you consume the entire tea leaf.
Ingredients in Trader Joe’s Product
There is only one ingredient: Matcha Green Tea Powder.
According to the packaging, Trader Joe’s matcha green tea is a product of Japan.
Allergens
According to the FDA, the most common food allergens are milk, peanuts, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, soy, tree nuts, wheat and sesame.
This product contains none of the common food allergens.
Is Matcha Green Tea Any Good?
I’ll get straight to my answer on this one. Yes, this green tea is good. However, in my opinion, when it comes to green tea that is readily available in local markets, I prefer Tazo green tea or The Republic of Tea.
Pros and Cons
Here are the specific things I like and don’t like about the matcha green tea powder from Trader Joe’s.
Pros
- Convenient, easy to use packets of green tea powder allow me to quickly make a unique beverage with lots of flavor
- Deep, earthy flavor with umami undertones
- Simple to make hot or cold drinks
- Pleasant flavor when combined with milk or blended with non-dairy options such as oat milk or almond milk
Cons
- Powder does not fully dissolve and leaves a sediment at the bottom of my cup
- Using a powder rather than a tea bag eliminates the opportunity to re-steep the same tea bag for additional flavor
- I prefer a tin of powder rather than single packets, which use a lot of packaging for a small amount of tea powder
Serving Suggestions
Hot or Cold Matcha Green Tea
Empty one packet of green tea powder into a cup and add 8 ounces of hot water. Whisk until the tea is dissolved, then serve.
To make a cold matcha green tea, combine the powder with about 17 ounces of cold water in a container (preferably one with a tight fitting lid). Close the container and shake until blended. Serve.
Here are a few suggestions for making lattes and other specialty drinks with Matcha Green Tea Powder.
- Froth warm milk and add to the top of your cup of matcha green tea
- Add a combination of coconut milk and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to your beverage
- Pour your cold matcha green tea into a tall glass of ice and add your favorite milk, almond milk, or oatmilk for simple and refreshing ice cold latte
Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts are based on available information as of the date this article was published and/or updated. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. Our aim is to research commercially processed food and publish articles for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, % Daily Value is based on 2,000 calories per day, but calorie needs vary by individual. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.
Nutrition facts and ingredients source: Product purchased by Nutrition & Ingredients staff