NOW Real Tea vs Steady Matcha Matcha: 2026 Comparison
NOW Real Tea sources from Favorites while Steady Matcha sources from Uji, Japan, giving each brand a distinct terroir and flavor profile. On price, NOW Real Tea is $0.64/g less expensive per gram ($0.25/g vs $0.89/g). Note: Steady Matcha is a pre-launch brand. Its COA will be published at launch (September 2026). No numeric heavy metal values are available before that date.
Verdict by Axis
No single overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on which axis matters most to you.
Price per gram
NOW Real Tea
NOW Real Tea is $0.64/g cheaper ($0.25/g vs $0.89/g).
Testing transparency
NOW Real Tea
NOW Real Tea is Unrated vs Launching (COA pending) for Steady Matcha. Lower tier number means more disclosure.
Published lead level
Tie / indeterminate
Neither brand has published a numeric lead value. Cannot compare.
Origin
Tie / indeterminate
One or both brands have not publicly disclosed their leaf origin region.
Organic certification
Tie / indeterminate
Both brands hold organic certification (ORGANIC and ORGANIC). Tie.
Side-by-Side Spec Table
| Field | NOW Real Tea | Steady MatchaUS |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Favorites | Uji, Japan |
| Grade | Not specified | Ceremonial |
| Price per gram | $0.25/gBetter | $0.89/g |
| Transparency tier | -- | Launching |
| Publishes numeric COA | No | No |
| Third-party tested | No | YesBetter |
| Organic certification | ORGANIC | ORGANIC |
| Lead (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Cadmium (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Arsenic (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Mercury (published) | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Pesticide tested | No | Yes |
| Last verified | June 27, 2026 | June 22, 2026 |
Origin
Grade
Price per gram
Transparency tier
Publishes numeric COA
Third-party tested
Organic certification
Lead (published)
Cadmium (published)
Arsenic (published)
Mercury (published)
Pesticide tested
Last verified
Heavy Metals and Safety Disclosure
Neither NOW Real Tea nor Steady Matcha has published numeric heavy metal values as of the last verification dates (June 27, 2026 and June 22, 2026 respectively). Without published ppb values, independent verification is not possible.
| Metal | NOW Real Tea | Steady Matcha |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Cadmium | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Arsenic | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
| Mercury | Not publicly published (checked June 27, 2026) | COA publishing at launch (Sept 2026) |
Source: brand-published COAs and independent test results. Values are from specific batches and dates. Absence of published data does not indicate safety or danger. Last verified: NOW Real Tea June 27, 2026, Steady Matcha June 22, 2026.
Price Comparison
NOW Real Tea is $0.64/g cheaper than Steady Matcha ($0.25/g vs $0.89/g, a 72% difference). At 30 servings per month, that is approximately $38/month in savings.
Detailed Analysis
Testing Transparency
No public testing statement has been found for NOW Real Tea as of the last verification date. Steady Matcha is a pre-launch brand. Its COA will be published at launch (September 2026). No numeric values are available before that date.
Origin and Sourcing
NOW Real Tea sources from Favorites and Steady Matcha sources from Uji, Japan. Different growing regions produce distinct flavor profiles: Uji matcha tends toward sweet umami, Kagoshima toward fresh and grassy, and Yame toward rich and complex. Neither region is objectively superior.
Which Should You Buy?
If testing transparency is your priority: NOW Real Tea (Unrated) discloses more than Steady Matcha (Launching (COA pending)). If price per gram is your priority: NOW Real Tea is the more affordable option at $0.25/g. Note: Steady Matcha is a pre-launch brand shipping September 2026. If you need matcha now, NOW Real Tea is available immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NOW Real Tea or Steady Matcha cheaper?
NOW Real Tea is cheaper at $0.25/g vs $0.89/g per gram, a difference of $0.64/g. Prices verified as of 2026-06-27.
Does NOW Real Tea publish lab results?
No public testing statement or COA has been found for NOW Real Tea as of June 27, 2026.
Does Steady Matcha publish lab results?
Steady Matcha is a pre-launch brand. Its COA will be published at launch (September 2026). No numeric results are available before that date.
Which is third-party tested: NOW Real Tea or Steady Matcha?
Steady Matcha is third-party tested. NOW Real Tea does not have a confirmed third-party testing status as of the last verification date.
Related comparisons
All data in this comparison is sourced from publicly available COAs, brand websites, and independent test results. Every safety data point carries its source and last-verified date. Steady Matcha does not conduct or claim ownership of third-party test results for other brands. Brand information changes: verify current status before purchasing.