What Does Matcha Taste Like?  

Matcha is the tea of the moment, appearing everywhere and in everything; from lattes, cocktails, smoothies, desserts, cakes and sweets! 

But if you’ve never tried matcha, what’s all the fuss about? Or maybe you’re trying to convince a friend to give matcha a try, but don’t know how to explain just how to explain what this unique tea tastes like.  

This blog breaks down the flavour profile of matcha, the different types of matcha and the ways to enjoy them, and why matcha is best for you! 

How to describe Matcha flavour 

Matcha is such a unique flavour; there’s truly nothing like it! The main flavour notes can broken up into four; 

• Umami flavour: rich, savoury flavour, with complex layers and notes   

• Grassy and Vegetal flavour: Matcha brings a fresh, green flavour, that has notes compared to spinach and seaweed  

• Creamy flavour: comes from the texture of matcha once brewed and the smoothness of high-quality matcha on the palate  

• Subtly sweet flavour complements the creamy texture   

Matcha is also a natural source of caffeine, and many are now switching their coffee in favour of this healthier alternative. Matcha tea drinkers experience more consistent energy levels throughout the day in comparison to the caffeine crashes often associated with drinking coffee.

If you want to learn all the reasons you should go green, read our Matcha vs Coffee blog. 

What are the different types of Matcha? 

There are quite a few different types of matcha out there, it can all get quite confusing! We’ve broken down some of the types of matcha out there, and which one might be best for you! 

Ceremonial Grade Matcha 

About this Matcha:  

Our most popular Matcha, this is a vibrant green tea powder, made from leaves grown in the historic tea-growing region of Ise Bay. This high quality matcha offers a smoother, deeper flavour with far less bitterness than lower quality matcha powders, winning it two stars at the Great Taste Awards.  

Is this Matcha right for me? 

This is beautiful, premium grade matcha, ideal for enjoying every day.  

This is a great option for those who are new to matcha or have never tried it and want to give it a go. You can also try smaller, individual sachets, to allow you to sample the wonderful taste of matcha and see what you think! 

Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha  

About this Matcha: 

Our certified organic Matcha, also grown in Ise Bay, this tea focuses on the glorious green goodness of matcha, with the elevated flavour of a premium matcha.  This matcha produces a tea with a vivid green appearance, has spring-like notes of flowers and fresh grass, with an intensely vegetal, creamy, sweet flavour that won it two stars at the Great Taste Awards. 

Is this Matcha right for me? 

By offering an organic version of this nutrient-rich tea, you're guaranteed a drink that comes with no chemicals – only the health benefits of matcha. If you enjoy matcha for wellness, our pesticide-free Organic Ceremonial Matcha green tea is for you.  

Ceremonial Kuro Matcha  

About This Matcha: 

Our Ceremonial Kuro Matcha is premium black tea powder made from the finest shade-grown gyokuro leaves, carefully milled to a dark, velvety powder. This unique roasted black matcha delivers a cacao, toasted nutty and caramel flavour than traditional matcha, while preserving gyokuro’s subtle sweetness and umami notes.    

Is this Matcha right for me? 

For those looking for something unusual, this is an intriguing twist on the traditional matcha, offering something different without artificial flavours. When enjoyed as a latte, this matcha has an almost chocolate flavour (but without the calories!).  

If you’re interested in the health benefits of matcha (particularly as an alternative to coffee) but just find normal matcha too grassy and green, this is the perfect matcha for you. 

Imperial Grade Matcha  

About This Matcha:  

A truly premium offering; great as gift for a matcha lover or to elevate your own matcha game. our most refined, limited-edition matcha to date. Made from the highly renowned Okumidori cultivar, grown by a 3rd generation farming family, this exceptional tea is shade-grown for over three weeks and painstakingly stone-ground into an ultra-fine powder. The result? An emerald green matcha with a rich, velvety texture, intense umami, and natural sweetness.  

The Imperial Grade Matcha, made from First Flush Okumidori leaves, offers a richer, multi layered profile than other matchas. It opens with intensely deep umami and soft nori-like savouriness, unfolding into subtle fresh vegetal and minty shiso leaf tones, making it a truly special offering.  

Is this Matcha right for me? 

A truly premium offering; great as gift for a matcha lover or to elevate your own matcha game. A matcha to be saved for special occasions, authentic to matcha’s traditional role in Japanese tea ceremonies.  

How can I tell if it’s high quality Matcha? 

Colour

Colour is one of the major giveaways of a cheap matcha. Good quality matcha should be a bright green; lower quality matcha is often a duller green, which is sometimes close to a swamp green. This can be due to being improperly stored (leading to oxidation and a browning effect), which can make the matcha brown, or poorer quality tea leaves being used which makes the matcha a paler green.  

Flavour

A common issue with cheaper matcha is that it is much, much more bitter than ceremonial grade matcha, which makes it often unpleasant to drink unless covered with milk, flavouring and sweeteners. While good quality matcha should have umami notes, similar to spinach or seaweed, cheap matcha can taste and smell fishy.  

Sourcing

It’s important before buying a matcha to look into where it came from. Good quality matcha should only come from Japan. Cheaper products sold as matcha can often be sourced back to China or Korea and will not be good quality nor have the same health benefits. Always try to buy Matcha from reputable buyers, who provide their sourcing methods.  

Why does Matcha taste bitter? 

A common complaint is that matcha tastes too bitter. There can be several reasons for this.  

Poor quality Matcha

As discussed above, low-quality matcha will have any overly bitter taste which is unpleasant to drink with just water (how matcha is traditionally enjoyed) and so needs to be mixed with milk and other ingredients to make it palatable.  

Using boiling Water  

Matcha, like all green tea, should never be made using 100C (boiling) water. It is unable to withstand these high temperatures, and the flavour will be destroyed. The water should be around 70-80C Celsius.  

Natural tannins 

As a type of green tea, matcha does have a natural bitterness to it. This is due in part to the tannins present. Even good quality will have a bitterness and astringency to it, as does all tea. 

Can I make Matcha taste sweeter? 

In short, yes!

While we adore the natural, grassy umami flavour of matcha, some people prefer a more mellow, sweeter option; this is where creativity comes in! 

One of the best ways to enjoy matcha this summer is with a refreshing Iced Matcha Latte. These are sold in most cafes nowadays, but many places use poor quality matcha and mask it with sugar and milk. 

Using our recipe for the Perfect Iced Matcha Latte, you can enjoying this amazing treat at home for a fraction of the cost, knowing it's authentic matcha with all the benefits. 

What else can I do with Matcha? 

Matcha is the drink of the summer; but did you know that you can enjoy this green tea powder in more than just lattes? 

Matcha can add depth and complexity to lots of recipes, and we’ve carefully created some amazing recipes below. 

Fresh Matcha Lemonade

Matcha Ice Cream 

How to get started with Matcha 

If you are looking for the easiest way to get started with Matcha tea, look no further than our Complete Matcha Gift Set! Our Matcha tea kits contain everything you need to brew the perfect cup of Matcha, and with three different sets, there's a perfect option whether your a latte lover or a matcha traditionalist. 

Still undecided? Explore our Matcha Collection and decide for yourself!