Green Innovation: Top Matcha Products, September 2024
Updated: Sep 16
As we know, the tea industry kind of gets middle child attention, its loyal following continues to grow even with little revolutionary breakthroughs in the matcha world. Here are 4 products that deserve their spot as Top Matcha Products this year.
The Matcha Maker Machine by Cuzen (2020 and Still Going Strong):
This fun matcha machine that debuted in 2020, and time is showing the machines to be incredibly well made! The hype wasn't just hype, and I'm now more confident than ever in recommending them. After some early model hesitation (gotta be cautious with new tea gadgets, right?), I put the Cuzen Matcha Maker to the test and was blown away. Reviewers seem to agree, with a whopping 88 out of 95 reviews landing on 5 stars. Plus, at $299 (September 2024), it's a reasonable price for a quality unique tea experience. Sweetening the deal, Cuzen offers a payment plan option for a true fresh matcha experience.
Fresh ground for a fresh experience:
The Cuzen Matcha Maker is making great matcha on demand
Plus the Cuzen brand goes full support by also carrying the whole leaf tencha. Tencha is the actual heart of matcha. Once the leaf has had the stems and twigs removed, it is just the fleshy part of the leaf~ Tencha! Which can sometimes be a challenge to find. Cuzen carries 3 different qualities of tencha for your fresh matcha drinking experience: Latte, Signature, & Premium.
2. Pinnacle of fresh, Cuzen's Matcha Packets are organic, Japanese shade-grown leaves, and boast a stellar 59 out of 63 reviews (with zero 1 or 2 star ratings!). If you’re the person who wants a truly fresh matcha for the many health benefits this style tea offers, then this style is an ideal way to get what you’re after. Similar to a fresh juice compared to bottled, these packets preserve the leaves at their peak, delivering maximum health benefits. Bonus: Cuzen offers a convenient refill subscription plan for effortless matcha enjoyment which comes to your door without needing to login and reorder.
3. Oatly Milk: The Undisputed Alt Milk King (Since 2016):
Remember when Oatly stormed the American coffee shops in 2016? It quickly became the go-to milk for cafes everywhere, including my own Tea Lounge. In fact, Oatly's popularity was so strong that I almost made it our only milk option! However, the lack of a sugar-free choice back then made me prioritize inclusivity for all body needs. Thankfully, Oatly is now offering a super diverse lineup that includes sugar-free, flavored options (vanilla, chocolate, orange!), various fat levels, & an organic version.
The fuller the fat, more oils mixed into the milk, the easier it is to create artistic matcha latte designs. For those artistic latte designs, a full-fat milk is your best friend. It adds a richer mouthfeel to your warm, creamy concoctions. My preference is to skip the “shelf-stable barista editions” – the taste and texture of the different ingredients aren't the same.
4. Fugetsu Resin Matcha Whisk by Sazen Tea: A Modern Twist on Tradition:
This resin matcha whisk takes inspiration from the classic design of the original bamboo counterpart, boasting solid craftsmanship and being made in Japan. A washable and long lasting matcha whisk, one that won’t turn funky when whisking milk into your matchas & won’t break with too rough of care. Perfect for withstanding the rigors of daily use in cafes that need their whisks to stay clean and hold up for heavy amounts of use and abuse.
While the end reviews show up mixed I found it was for reasons of frothiness. I’d like to see Sazen come out with a resin whisk with more than the standard 55-prongs, because as matcha-heads know: the more prongs the more froth~ here's hoping the company ups the prong count in future additional models! Plus, if you are strictly making the thick ceremonial style matcha (Koicha) then this is an absolutely perfect amount of prongs!
A whisk by any other name:
the Sazen resin matcha whisk offers durability for heavy usage
So there you have it – some of the top contenders in the matcha world as of September 2024. Whether you're a seasoned matcha enthusiast or just starting your journey, these picks are sure to elevate your green drink experience! Stay thirsty tea heads!
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