Matcha is green tea ground into a fine powder. Whisked in water, it makes a drink with a plant-like aroma, a full texture and an umami taste. If you mostly know it from green lattes, it is worth getting to know the tea itself – where its character comes from and what to look for when you buy it for the first time.
Table of contents
- What is matcha and how is it different from loose-leaf tea?
- How is matcha made?
- What does matcha taste like?
- What do matcha grade names mean?
- How to choose your first matcha
- How to start and where to find a recipe
- Start with the taste
- FAQ – questions about matcha
What is matcha and how is it different from loose-leaf tea?
Matcha is made from a tea called tencha, which is ground into a very fine powder. It is still tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, but you prepare it differently from sencha or a tea bag.
With loose-leaf tea, you pour water over the leaves, wait for them to release their flavour and then remove them. With matcha, you whisk the powder into water and drink it together with the ground leaf particles. The result is a suspension with a fuller texture, not a strained infusion. This is why the drink can settle a little over time – simply stir it again.
Matcha and matcha latte are also two different drinks. The first name means the tea itself. The second is a drink made from matcha with milk or a plant-based drink. The proportions change, and so does the mouthfeel. Matcha on its own shows more of its tea character, while a latte combines it with the creaminess of the milk.
How is matcha made?
The character of matcha starts on the plantation. In traditional production, the tea bushes are shaded before harvest. Less light changes the colour and taste of the leaves – it supports more umami and sweetness, with less astringency.
After harvest, the leaves are steamed and then dried. Once the stems and veins are removed, only the delicate part of the leaf is left for grinding. Traditionally, stone mills are used for this. Only at the very end do we get the green powder that goes into the package.
So simply grinding any green tea does not give the same result. Cultivation, processing and the qualities of the raw leaf all matter. If you are curious about where tea grows, we have a separate guide to the regions: where matcha comes from.
Read also: L-theanine – what it is and how it works with caffeine
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha combines a plant-like aroma, umami, natural sweetness and a more or less noticeable bitterness. Umami gives the drink depth – it is a full, savoury taste that can remind you of broth or seaweed.
Different matchas balance these qualities in different ways. One will be gentler and creamier, another strongly tea-forward, with more astringency. Not every kind of bitterness is a flaw. What matters is whether it works with the rest of the flavour, or covers the aroma and leaves an unpleasant, rough finish.
Approach your first tasting the way you would approach a new coffee. Taste the drink before you add syrup, and pay attention to the aroma, texture and aftertaste. Is the tea full and smooth? Do you enjoy the umami? Do you prefer it on its own or with milk? This makes it easier to choose your next package than judging by the colour in a photo.
What do matcha grade names mean?
On packages you will see terms such as “ceremonial”, “traditional”, “daily” and “culinary”. They help you understand what a product is meant for, but they do not form one shared grading system used by all producers. The name alone does not tell you which harvest the tea comes from or exactly how it tastes.
Ceremonial matcha is usually presented as a tea to drink with water, with a focus on a gentler profile. Names such as “traditional” or “daily” are often used for products meant for preparing drinks regularly. Culinary matcha is intended mainly for food and desserts, where its taste combines with other ingredients.
When choosing, read the description of the specific tea. A matcha recommended for drinking with water will also work well in a latte. For baking, on the other hand, it matters whether its tea character stays noticeable next to the other ingredients. The intended use and the taste tell you more than the word on the front of the tin.
How to choose your first matcha
Start by answering one question: how do you want to drink it? If mainly with water, look for a description that highlights gentleness, umami and a smooth texture. For a latte, you need a character that you can still taste after adding milk. For desserts, choose a product recommended for culinary use.
When comparing packages, check a few things.
- Ingredients. If you want to taste the tea itself, choose 100% matcha. A blend with sugar or flavouring is a different product, even if it is also used to make a green latte.
- Origin and description. Information about the country, producer or region helps you understand what you are buying. If the cultivar or harvest is given, treat it as extra context, not as a promise of one specific taste.
- Intended use. Check whether the producer recommends the tea for drinking with water, for milk drinks or for cooking. Matching the tea to how you will use it matters more than buying the most expensive package.
- Package size. For your first purchase, choose an amount you will use regularly. An opened package loses freshness over time, and a smaller amount also makes it easier to find out what you like.
At JAVA Coffee Roasters, you can compare products in the ceremonial matcha and traditional matcha categories. In the PerfectTed matcha collection, pay attention to the difference between the pure tea and ready-made flavoured blends. Compare their ingredients and intended use before you choose the right option for you.
After buying, keep the powder tightly closed and away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells. Follow the producer's storage instructions. If you keep the package in the fridge, let the closed tin or pouch reach room temperature before opening it, to limit condensation.
How to start and where to find a recipe
Matcha needs to be whisked thoroughly, because its fine particles can form lumps. Sifting the powder before preparing it helps you get a smoother drink. A bamboo whisk, called a chasen, is the traditional tool, but you can also prepare a cup at home in other ways.
If you want to get started right away, choose the guide that matches the drink you feel like:
- For tea prepared with simple home tools, read our guide on how to make matcha without a whisk.
- You will find the proportions of matcha, water and milk, as well as hot and iced versions, in our matcha latte recipe.
- If you are looking for a tropical touch, try our separate coconut matcha recipe.
Matcha naturally contains caffeine. It is not a caffeine-free alternative to coffee, and how energising it feels depends, among other things, on the serving size and your individual reaction. We compare the two drinks in more detail in the article: matcha or coffee.
Read also: Matcha properties – what does the research say about green tea powder?
Start with the taste
For your first purchase, choose a matcha whose description matches the way you want to drink it. Taste it, get to know its aroma and aftertaste, and only then compare other teas. At Java Coffee Roasters, look for the facts: ingredients, origin and intended use. They will help you find your favourite green drink.
FAQ – questions about matcha
Is matcha the same as green tea?
Matcha is a type of green tea, but it comes as a fine powder. You drink it together with the ground leaf particles. Classic loose-leaf tea makes an infusion, and the leaves are removed after brewing.
Does matcha taste naturally sweet?
Matcha can have naturally sweet notes alongside umami, a plant-like aroma and bitterness. This is not the kind of sweetness you get from added sugar. How strong it is depends on the specific tea and how you prepare it.
Is colour enough to judge the quality of matcha?
Colour is one of the clues, but on its own it is not enough to judge matcha. Also consider the ingredients, origin, storage, aroma and taste. A product photo will not show whether its profile will suit your taste.
Can ceremonial matcha be used for a latte?
Ceremonial matcha can be suitable for a latte. Check the use recommended by the producer and the profile of the specific tea. A product recommended for drinking with water does not have to be limited to that way of serving.
Does matcha dissolve in water?
Matcha forms a suspension of fine leaf particles in water. That is why you need to whisk it thoroughly, and the finished drink may settle a little after some time. This does not mean the powder should disappear completely, like sugar.
