Are you a tea fanatic? Then you’re probably already familiar with matcha, the bright green powder used to make everything from green tea lattes to smoothies to cupcakes. Even Starbucks carries matcha powder, which is a sure sign that it’s not very obscure.
But does Trader Joe’s sell their own version of this popular health drink powder? Keep reading to find out!
Trader Joe’s sells matcha in several different forms. First, they sell pure Matcha Green Tea Powder in single serving packets. They also sell several other products that contain matcha powder, including their Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix and their Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream.
A traditional energizing and health-boosting drink from Japan, matcha powder is, quite simply, powdered green tea leaves. The word “matcha” refers to the preparation process, in which young green tea leaves are powdered and mixed directly into tea drinks rather than being steeped and removed as with traditional tea preparation.
Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Powder $7.49 for a 0.37 ounce package, which includes 7 single-serving packets of matcha powder. So, you can more or less think of this as $1 per day or per occasion when you enjoy a cup of matcha.
The Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix sells for $3.99 for an 8 oz. can of bulk powder.
Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream sells for $4.49 for a 1 pint container.
Contents
Is Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder Healthy?
Depending on which matcha powder product you choose, the health factor varies quite a bit. For example, Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Powder packets, which contain nothing but pure green tea, are quite healthy as long as you’re not trying to watch your caffeine intake.
Trader Joe’s other matcha products, however, including their Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix and their Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream, contain large amounts of sugar and should not be considered nearly as healthy as pure green tea. In fact, cane sugar is the primary ingredient in Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix, which explains why it’s so much less expensive than their pure matcha product.
Some of the reasons why matcha powder is healthy include:
- Matcha is high in antioxidants such as polyphenols
- Matcha is high in a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate which is believed to have cancer-fighting effects in the body
- Matcha contains necessary vitamins and minerals
- The antioxidants in matcha have been linked to better blood sugar regulation, lower rates of heart disease and cancer, and reduced blood pressure
Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder Ingredients
Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Powder contains only one ingredient: green tea.
However, Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix contains quite a few ingredients, including cane sugar, coconut oil, maltodextrin, whole milk powder, non-fat milk powder, malted milk powder, natural flavors, and more. In fact, matcha powder is the fourth ingredient down on the list of ingredients, meaning that this product is made up mostly of things other than green tea.
Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream at Trader Joe’s contains cream, milk, sugar, condensed skim milk, sugared egg yolks, matcha powder, carob bean gum, and guar gum.
How To Make Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder?
Preparing Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder is simply and easy, but there are several different ways to do it.
The most common way to use matcha powder is for a hot green tea beverage or green tea latte. To prepare Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder for a simple cup of hot green tea, simply mix one packet of green tea powder with a cup of hot water. Stir well, let cool to taste, then enjoy.
This same method works for preparing Trader Joe’s Green Tea Latte Mix, although you will need to measure out 3 tablespoons of the powder mix per 6 oz of hot water. Note that this product already contains milk, so you do not need to add milk to prepare a green tea latte.
If you would like to make a vegan version of Trader Joe’s Green Tea Latte using their vegan matcha powder, check out this recipe for Trader Joe’s Oat Beverage Matcha Latte.
Matcha powder is also a popular baking ingredient and can be used to color and/or flavor a variety of treats from cakes and cupcakes to breads, muffins, and more. Keep reading to find out more about what you can bake with matcha.
What Can You Do With Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder?
Aside from enjoying Trader Joe’s Green Tea Powder as a hot, energizing beverage in the morning, you can also use it as a baking ingredient.
Here are three delicious recipes to try out with Trader Joe’s Green Tea Powder:
Is Trader Joe’s Matcha Powder Good?
Like with most teas, matcha is an acquired taste, so there’s no guarantee that you’ll like it. Pure matcha is known for having a very “green” and almost “grassy” flavor, which is why many mixes and recipes add sugar to it to sweeten and offset the flavor. However, if you like the taste of green tea, then you’re probably going to love matcha powder.
The only real complaint we found about Trader Joe’s Green Tea Powder is that it’s a bit pricey for the amount of powder you receive per package.
FAQs
Is Trader Joe’s matcha powder vegan?
Yes. Matcha powder is a naturally vegan product, as it is made from ground matcha green tea leaves and does not contain any animal products. However, Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix contains milk and is therefore not vegan.
Can I drink matcha powder everyday?
Yes. Pure matcha is safe to consume everyday generally speaking. However, you should always consider your own personal health circumstances when deciding whether to consume something everyday. Matcha contains caffeine, which some people might not want to consume regularly depending on certain health factors.
Do Trader Joe’s green tea packets help you lose weight?
Some studies have shown that the caffeine and catechins in green tea may boost metabolism and increase the burning of fat within the body.
Is there a difference between matcha powder and matcha green powder?
No. Matcha powder and matcha green tea powder are the same thing.
Conclusion
Matcha is a versatile and super healthy option as a refreshing beverage in the morning. It can also be used to bake a wide variety of colorful treats, including cupcakes, cakes, meringues, and more. You can even enjoy some refreshing matcha ice cream from Trader Joe’s. Regardless of which matcha variety you’re excited to try, you’ll be able to find them all at your local Trader Joe’s today.
