What Does Matcha Taste Like? Answer(s) for the Uninitiated

If you’re a fitness buff or a health nut, there’s a good chance that you have thought about adding matcha to your supplement stack. But, if you are on the fence and you have never tried it you might have some questions and concerns about what matcha tastes like. In this post, we will give you the best possible description for what matcha tastes like, depending on how it’s prepared and what you can expect.

What does matcha tea taste like?

In general, matcha can taste very “green”. This is because it is made directly from tea leaves, so there will inevitably be a vegetable-y flavour profile to matcha. If you are using a relatively high grade of matcha then there should be a little bitterness or earthiness involved as well. Once you drink the matcha you will start to get the full texture of it as well as the aftertaste. Matcha is often compared to dark chocolate or red wine. 

The taste of matcha will also depend on the blend of the matcha powder and how you prepare it. These two factors can vary your experience widely. For example, the aftertaste could lean sweeter and nuttier, be an intense savory flavor, floral, or bittersweet, or even all of them combined. These flavors will linger and then fade away. The aftertaste of matcha is what most people have an obsession with, although matcha might take a little while for most people to get used to. 

Taste Based on Matcha Grades

Matcha is separated based on grade, and is graded based on specific qualities. These qualities include: the color, the texture, quality and density, the fineness, the method used to ground it and the treatment prior to processing. Using these qualities the matcha is then separated into one of two categories: ceremonial grade and culinary grade.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha

Ceremonial grade is the highest quality of green tea powder available. It is a vibrant green color, with a delicate taste and a very fine texture. It is made using the youngest tea leaves with the stems and veins removed. Then the leaves are stone ground which makes it suitable for a thicker tea. It’s bright green color makes it easily recognizable from other tea grades.

Ceremonial grade matcha is meant to be drunk on its own without sweeteners or other ingredients. It has a naturally sweet, mild flavor which is best enjoyed mixed with hot water. 

Culinary Grade Matcha

Culinary grade matcha is typically used for cooking and baking. It is fine for drinking and is still a high quality tea, it will just have a slightly different flavor than ceremonial grade matcha. Culinary grade matcha is not necessarily lower quality, the method of preparation is just different for a different use with different characteristics. 

Culinary grade matcha is blended for use with other ingredients in food or drink recipes. It’s flavor profile pairs well with other flavors allowing you to create delicious matcha lattes, smoothies and matcha-based baked goods.

Culinary grade matcha features a more robust flavor than ceremonial grade. Culinary grade is less sweet with more bitter flavors.

Taste Based on Matcha Brand

The taste of matcha will also differ depending on what brands you buy as they have different standards and methods to process their matcha that are different from the rest. This results in varying flavors between brands. 

At Aila, we work hard to create matcha blends that can satisfy anyone’s taste buds. Our matcha energy superpowder can help improve brain function and focus, and it can also help power your workout without the jitters from a caffeine high. Add some natural Energy + Focus to your morning or pre workout routine with our matcha superfood blend.