The Ridiculously Tasty Matcha That Keeps Me Focused All Day Long
If you’ve spent any time here at Kitchn (which, presumably, you have), you’ll notice that all of us have a favorite morning beverage. Whether it’s an Oprah-approved instant latte, tiny but might espresso, or a fresh cup of matcha, caffeine is essential. I’m undeniably on Team Coffee, but when a worthy alternative comes along, I’ll happily add it into my rotation.
I’ve tried everything from a jitter-free turmeric latte to a sweet Chai concentrate, but the morning beverages that stick around my kitchen are few and far between — I’m picky and I won’t apologize for that. If I’m going to invest money, time (I love a morning routine), and tastebuds into a single cup of goodness, it should be as close to perfection as possible. After my first taste of Hone’s Mushroom Matcha, I immediately cleared a spot in my main kitchen cabinet because I knew it’d be here to stay.
Never heard of it before? I hadn’t either, but hear me out. Not only is this jar of bright green powder super delicious, but it’s also packed with a ton of unexpected ingredients that keep me focused and energized all day long. The main component is matcha, of course, but this isn’t just your run-of-the-mill green tea. The ceremonial grade tea leaves are sourced from an eco-heritage and carbon-neutral family-owned farm, hand-picked by farmers with generations of craftsmanship, and carefully ground into a fine powder. Basically, this matcha checks every single box when it comes to a responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredient. TBH, I wish everything in my kitchen could’ve come from such intentional origins.
What else is in there? Several types of vitamin B for energy and organic Cordyceps Militaris, a fungi (hence the name Mushroom Matcha) said to be an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory benefits. There aren’t enough medical studies to fully back up mushrooms as a big source of caffeine yet, based on my experience drinking the stuff for days on end, I personally noticed longer-lasting energy and a lot more focus throughout the day. Unlike the burst of alertness followed by the desperate need for a second cup, a cycle I endure with other kinds of caffeine, this particular blend seems to carry me effortlessly through my work hours and subsequent activities. No more 3 p.m. chocolate needed!
There are still some days when I plug in my Nespresso machine, but after one cup of coffee, I’ll notice a headache, a rise and fall in energy levels, and a desire to make another cup — all traits I hadn’t realized were associated with coffee until my body had gotten used to the sustained, pleasant lift I get from Hone’s mushroom matcha.
Now, for the most important factor: The flavor. The matcha is bright and fresh but grounded with an earthy and almost malted undertone — IMO, it’s a perfect pairing with oat milk. Plus, because it’s already sweetened with monk fruit, I get to skip the step of waiting for my honey to melt before I whisk, saving time and making the blend a perfect travel essential for easy tea-drinking. I mean, what’s not to love about that?
Well, the price. I know, I know — I too had a moment of hesitation. But not only is this Mushroom Matcha comparable in price to other ceremonial matcha (even if those other brands don’t have the added beneficial ingredients), it also lasts a heck of a long time. I’m talking months. Because this blend’s got such potent flavor, I only need one scoop for a latte, so a jar lasts much longer than other brands I’ve tried. At about $55, for 3 months of almost daily use, that comes out to about 60 cents for a cup — a whole lot less than what you’d pay at a coffee shop!
Trust me, this is one jar of matcha not to be missed.
Buy: Hone Mushroom Matcha, $54.95