Everything You Need to Know about Matcha
Whether you’re curious about trying matcha for the first time or you’re already a fan, here’s our complete guide to this vibrant green tea and how we serve it here at Coffee House.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from specially grown and processed tea leaves. Instead of steeping tea leaves and discarding them, with matcha you whisk and drink the entire leaf, giving you stronger flavour and more nutrients per serving.
It’s traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, but is now enjoyed around the world in drinks like lattes, iced matcha, smoothies, and even desserts.
Where does matcha come from?
Matcha most famously comes from Japan, especially regions like Kyoto where it has been cultivated and perfected for centuries. The history of matcha in Japan dates back to Zen Buddhist monks, who valued it for focus and meditation rituals.
Although the earliest powdered tea originated in China, the shaped, shade-grown style we call matcha today was developed in Japan.
Our matcha is sourced from Kyoto, celebrated for producing vibrant, high-quality Japanese matcha with rich flavour.
Why is matcha so green?
Matcha’s bright green colour comes from how it’s grown. Tea bushes are shaded from direct sunlight for several weeks before harvest. This boosts the plant’s chlorophyll levels, giving matcha its intense green hue and enhancing sweetness and umami flavour.
Shade-growing also increases other compounds like L-theanine, which contributes to matcha’s calming, focused energy.
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha flavour is often described as:
Umami-rich (a pleasant savoury note)
Vegetal and earthy
Smooth and creamy (especially at higher grades)
Slightly sweet or bitter, depending on quality
Higher-grade matcha tends to taste smoother and sweeter, while lower grades are more bitter.
How is matcha prepared?
Sift matcha powder to remove clumps.
Add hot water (not boiling, about 70–80°C).
Whisk vigorously in a bowl with a bamboo whisk (chasen) until smooth and frothy.
At Coffee House, we may also blend it with steamed milk for a matcha latte, creamy, vibrant, and delicious.
Whisking creates a smooth texture and brings out matcha’s natural flavour.
Why try matcha?
Matcha offers a unique experience because:
You consume the whole leaf, meaning more antioxidants and health compounds.
The L-theanine in matcha encourages focused, calm energy.
Its vibrant flavour and colour make it a beautiful, versatile drink.
It’s a great choice for anyone who wants sustained energy and rich, complex flavour without the typical jitters of coffee.
How should I enjoy matcha at Coffee house?
Try it:
As a matcha latte with steamed milk
Iced, for a refreshing alternative to iced coffee
Make it sweet with different syrups
Paired with sweet treats, matcha complements pastries beautifully
Why do Berry Flavours Work So Well?
At Coffee House, we offer our matcha not only in its classic form, but also with blueberry or strawberry syrup, a delicious twist that’s especially popular in lattes and iced drinks.
So why do berries pair so well with matcha?
Matcha has a naturally earthy, vegetal, and umami-rich flavour. Berry flavours add a gentle natural sweetness and light acidity, which helps balance matcha’s depth without overpowering it.
Strawberry brings a soft, juicy sweetness that smooths out matcha’s grassy notes and creates a creamy, dessert-like drink when paired with milk.
Blueberry adds a slightly richer, fruity sharpness that complements matcha’s savoury undertones and enhances its freshness.
Because matcha is not overly sweet on its own, berry syrups work as a bright contrast, making the drink more approachable for first-time matcha drinkers while still enjoyable for matcha lovers.
Whether served hot or iced, berry-infused matcha is a refreshing alternative to flavoured coffee drinks, vibrant in colour, balanced in flavour, and naturally indulgent.
