Cuzen Matcha

What's in the box: A typical delivery contains organic whole matcha tea leaves in your chosen blend, made to be ground fresh in the Cuzen Matcha Maker.

Cuzen Matcha takes a different approach from most matcha subscriptions. Instead of shipping only pre-ground powder, the company sells the Matcha Maker, a countertop machine that grinds whole organic tea leaves on demand, and then supplies the leaf refills that keep it running. The site has a subscription policy, so recurring deliveries are part of the model, though the main pages do not spell out the terms. Three core blends cover different uses: Premium for drinking straight, Signature for mixed drinks and recipes, and Latte Blend for pairing with milk. A Single Origin Collection lets you compare matcha from several Japanese growing regions, and the company also sells organic matcha powder for people without the machine. The brand argues that whole leaves keep their flavor and antioxidants longer than powder. That is plausible, but it is the company's own claim. The machine has drawn press coverage and design awards, and the site offers recipes, including some developed with chef Kyle Connaughton of SingleThread. The main drawback is lock in. The leaf refills are made for the Cuzen machine, so the subscription makes the most sense if you already own one or plan to buy it. Shoppers who just want a tin of good powder have simpler options.