What does matcha taste like?
Matcha tastes grassy and vegetal, with a savoury depth, a gentle bitterness and, in good matcha, a soft sweet finish. It is fuller and smoother than ordinary green tea, because you drink the whole ground leaf rather than water the leaves were soaked in.
The taste of matcha, in short
| Quality | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Grassiness | Strong, like fresh spinach or cut grass |
| Savoury depth | Noticeable, a little like seaweed |
| Bitterness | Gentle in good matcha, harsh in cheaper kinds |
| Sweetness | A soft sweet aftertaste in good matcha |
| Texture | Smooth and slightly thick, with fine foam |
What matcha is
Matcha is a Japanese green tea made from leaves that are shaded for the last weeks before harvest, then steamed, dried and ground into a fine powder on stone mills. The powder is whisked with hot water, traditionally with a bamboo whisk, until it is smooth and frothy.
Why good matcha tastes less bitter
Shading the tea plants changes the leaves: they keep more of the savoury-tasting amino acids and build up fewer of the bitter compounds. That is why high-grade matcha tastes smooth, savoury and slightly sweet, while cheaper culinary grades taste more bitter and are meant for lattes, baking and ice cream.
Water that is too hot also makes matcha taste harsh. It is usually whisked with water well below boiling.
Why people love it or hate it
- The grassy, seaweed-like note is unusual in a drink.
- The bitterness varies a lot with quality and water temperature, so a bad first cup puts many people off.
- Lattes are a different experience. With milk and sugar, matcha turns creamy, mild and sweet, which is how many people first try it.
You may enjoy matcha if you like
- Japanese green tea;
- vegetal, savoury flavours such as spinach or seaweed;
- gently bitter drinks such as unsweetened tea or coffee.
Trying matcha for the first time
- Start with a matcha latte if you are unsure: creamy, mild and grassy.
- Then try it whisked with water, made with good matcha and water that is not boiling.
- Whisk briskly in a zigzag until a fine foam forms on top.
- Try a matcha sweet, such as matcha ice cream, which balances the bitterness with sweetness.
Will you like it? Ask about your own taste
Some people love matcha from the first sip, others find it grassy and bitter. Taste10 learns your personal taste and predicts how much you will enjoy a drink or food before you try it, with the reason why. Photograph a matcha drink, a matcha sweet or a café menu and see your own score.
Taste10 is in testing. Want to try it early? Get in touch.
Questions and answers
Is matcha bitter?
Gently. Good matcha is smooth and slightly sweet with a mild bitterness; cheaper matcha and water that is too hot make it more bitter.
Does matcha taste like green tea?
It tastes like a fuller, smoother and more savoury green tea, because you drink the whole ground leaf.
What does a matcha latte taste like?
Creamy, grassy and mildly sweet. The milk softens the bitterness, which makes a latte an easy first way to try matcha.