The Japanese finest, Matcha, is now rising to popularity at a quicker speed than any other Japanese origin delicacy. But still, it is both shocking and truly heart-wrenching to know that many people in the world do not know what Matcha is. It is a powdered Japanese green tea that outperforms many powders and beverages made from them due to its taste and health benefits. So, what does Matcha taste like?
Matcha tastes vegetal, smooth, subtle, buttery, creamy, a bit bitter, and a bit sweet, depending upon a few factors (described later in this article). Due to this, people also make tea, coffee, latte, bakery items, and smoothies from Matcha powder.
Since 99 out of 100 people make green tea from Matcha, we will be discussing it the most. Read how you should use, store, and enjoy Matcha.
Table of Content
What Does Matcha Taste Like?
Matcha is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The world is not unfamiliar with this plant as we are getting green tea from this plant as well. But manufacturers grow and process this plant differently to obtain Matcha powder.
So, what does green Matcha taste like? When it comes to taste, Matcha is grass-like or vegetal that also feels slightly bitter or sweet, depending on how you are cooking it.
Let’s dig a little deeper!
Some people don’t like their Matcha to taste too sweet. If you are one of them, you can add ginger or lemon juice to reduce the sweetness.
Vegetal
The vegetal or grass-like taste of Matcha comes from its origin. For Matcha, the Camellia sinensis plants are grown in shade. This increases the chlorophyll content and nutrients in the leaves, which alters their taste a little. Now, these leaves are perfect to be used to make Matcha powder. After harvesting the leaves, they are steamed, dried, and ground to make the powder. Hence, the vegetal or grass-like flavor is understandable.
Sweet, Smooth, Creamy, and Buttery Taste
Matcha contains natural sweetness which you can also savor if you use it correctly.
Moreover, if you add one tablespoon of Matcha in less water, the beverage will become creamy and buttery. But for this to happen, you must buy ceremonial Matcha.
Bitter
One question people frequently search online is, “Does Matcha taste bitter?” Matcha can taste bitter only if you make the wrong choices (described later). But the bitterness in Matcha is still less than the black tea. When it comes to flavor, you can expect Matcha to feel a little Earthy. Plus, this Japanese green tea powder has an umami flavor in it as well.
Factors on Which Matcha Taste Depends
Every Matcha powder does not taste the same. Whether the Matcha is sweet or bitter depends on the three factors:
- How You are going to cook Matcha
- Where Matcha came from
- Matcha Grade
Cooking of Matcha
How you are cooking Matcha impacts the taste of its tea. If you do not want to taste any bitterness, you can add honey or maple syrup to the Matcha tea.
However, some people don’t like their Matcha to taste too sweet. If you are one of them, you can add ginger or lemon juice to reduce the sweetness. Furthermore, you can drink both hot and cold Matcha beverages, depending on your liking. Cold Matcha drink gives a little creamy flavor which you may not feel when it is hot.
Moreover, be careful when you add water to a kettle to make Matcha tea. Filtered water should be added that also has a neutral pH as the water with lower pH or hard water can impact the Matcha taste.
Moreover, you should let the water cool down after you boil it in the kettle. Adding the Matcha powder to the boiling water will taste bitter. So, cook smart and enjoy the sweetness of the Matcha tea.
Where Does Matcha Come From?
The location of the Camellia Sinensis plant (from which you make Matcha powder) also impacts the taste. The plant is grown in mainly two countries only- Japan and China. Matcha grown in Japan is a lot sweeter while the Chinese one is bitter.
Matcha Grade
There are two grades of Matcha which are different in taste:
- Ceremonial Grade
- Culinary Grade
Ceremonial grade is the highest quality of Matcha that is finely made to give the purest flavors to different beverages. Let’s talk about Matcha Green tea. A sip of green tea made from ceremonial Matcha feels smooth, grassy, and creamy.
Usucha is a light and flavorful Matcha tea that you can drink every day. You can make this by adding one tablespoon of Matcha powder to almost half a cup of water.
Contrarily, Culinary grade has the most intense flavors, that is why it is ideal to be used in baking and making decaf coffees, smoothies, and lattes.
So, in a nutshell, if you want to enjoy a great Matcha Tea, you must:
- Make a little Thick Tea and enjoy it a little cold.
- Buy Matcha of Japanese origin.
- Prefer Ceremonial Matcha over grade culinary.
Uses of Matcha
People often ask, Does Matcha taste good? Well of course it does! That is why there are now dozens of things in which you can add this Japanese powder.
Some of the famous ones are:
Matcha Green Tea
People mostly make tea with Matcha. Want to know, what does Matcha tea taste like? Well, it tastes grass-like with a hint of sweetness.
People also ask, what does Matcha milk tea taste like? Well, it tastes a little buttery in addition to vegetal and sweet.
Best Ways to Make Matcha Tea
Now, let us tell you how you should make tea with Matcha. Generally, there are two traditional Japanese ways to make the tea:
- Usucha
- Koicha
Usucha
Usucha is a light and flavorful Matcha tea that you can drink every day. You can make this by adding one tablespoon of Matcha powder to almost half a cup of water. Moreover, if you think the tea should be lighter, add two tablespoons of water more.
Koicha
Koicha is a thick Matcha tea that feels a little frothy. Add two tablespoons of ceremonial Matcha in a half cup of water to make this tea.
It is up to your taste buds to decide whether you like to have lighter Matcha tea or thicker Matcha tea.
Matcha Tea vs. Green tea
People also ask us, Does Matcha taste like Green tea? Matcha is a “Japanese” green tea but it tastes different than conventional green tea. Matcha tastes a lot more frothy, buttery, and creamy than green tea (which is light).
Just like regular green tea, people generally don’t like Matcha green tea from the very first sip. They need some time with this drink to get used to it.
Bubble Tea
Those who love bubble tea and want to try it with Matcha often search, what does Matcha bubble tea taste like?
The closest word we know to describe this taste is “Earthy.”
Coffee
Want to know what does Matcha coffee tastes like? Well, it tastes pretty much the same as Matcha tea. However, it will be a lot frothier and creamier.
If there is fish or anything smelly in your fridge, don’t put Matcha in there. Matcha can absorb nearby smells and will smell like them when you make a beverage from it.
Matcha Latte
One famous way people drink Matcha is by making a “Matcha Latte.” Ever wondered- What does the matcha latte taste like?
Even Starbucks offers Matcha latte because of its unique taste. When you go to Starbucks and see Matcha on the list, have you ever said to yourself- What does Starbucks Matcha Latte taste like?
Matcha latte does not taste like a normal latte. It has a vegetal hint in it along with some frothiness and umami flavor.
You can also make Matcha Latte at home with just a few things only. All you have to do is mix Matcha powder and latte powder in the cow milk or oat milk and blend it.
Health Benefits of Matcha
You have now read everything about the rich taste of Matcha. It’s time for you to know which changes your body will feel when you consume this Japanese blessing regularly.
The health benefits you can enjoy due to Matcha are:
- Boost in Energy
- Increased metabolism
- Reduced stress
- Rich in antioxidants
- Improves digestion
- Weight loss
Where to Purchase Matcha?
The best way you can purchase Matcha is to go to Amazon, Walmart, or any other online platform and make a purchase there. Matcha is now famous in the USA and Amazon has a role in it. Americans can get this Japanese delight at their doorstep no matter which corner they are living in.
However, if you are not fond of shopping online, you can always visit your nearby grocery store and buy Matcha from there.
How to Store Matcha?
Storing Matcha properly is essential as the quality depends on it. You should store Matcha away from sunlight, moisture, heat, and dust. It is better if you put it in an airtight jar and then store it in the refrigerator.
Moreover, if there is fish or anything smelly in your fridge, don’t put Matcha in there. Matcha can absorb nearby smells and will smell like them when you make a beverage from it.
Also, if you have bought Matcha and don’t plan to drink the tea anytime soon, you can store it in the freezer. However, you have to warm it before you take it out of the freezer.
FAQs
Does Matcha go bad?
It is highly unlikely that Matcha powder goes bad because it has a long shelf life (almost six months).
It can only go about if you don’t consume it for too long and it stays in such a location where there is excessive sunlight or moisture. When Matcha is spoiled, it tastes even bitter and turns opaque in appearance. So, put the Matcha powder in an airtight jar away from sunlight and moisture.
What is the difference of taste between Green Matcha and Blue Matcha?
In addition to green latte, people also search, What does blue Matcha taste like and try to compare it with a green latte.
Green Matcha tastes vegetal (grass-like), a bit sweet, and earthy in flavor. Blue Matcha, on the other hand, tastes floral, sweet, and lighter than the green one.
Is the Matcha Latte at Starbucks Good?
Absolutely Yes. The Starbucks Matcha latte has a delicious taste. This latte will feel creamy, intense, sweet, and buttery with a hint of caffeine.
Final Words
Matcha is a powdered Japanese green tea that is now consumed all around the world. Its unique taste and strong flavors have really increased its popularity in western countries. So, what does Matcha taste like?
Well, Matcha tastes vegetal, smooth, creamy, buttery, and a bit sweet if you deal with it right. Choosing the wrong match or cooking it poorly can cause bitterness. But that should not stop you from trying this marvelous Japanese wonder. Be adventurous! At least try it once and do tell others what you feel about it.
