Short answer
Matcha powder is finely ground green tea leaf from shade-grown plants, whisked into water or milk so the whole leaf is consumed. Ceremonial grade suits drinking plain, culinary grade suits lattes and baking, and an opened tin keeps best sealed and cold.
Matcha powder is a fine, bright green powder made by grinding shade-grown green tea leaves, which is whisked into water or milk so the whole leaf is drunk instead of strained out. Matcha powder comes in ceremonial and culinary grades, and good colour, a cool dark pantry and a sealed container keep it tasting fresh.
What is matcha powder?
Matcha powder is a Japanese green tea in powdered form, made from leaves called tencha. The tea plants are shaded for the last few weeks before harvest, and the leaves are steamed, dried, de-stemmed and ground to a powder.
Because the leaf itself is mixed into the drink, matcha has a stronger flavour and a thicker body than steeped green tea. It tastes grassy, a little sweet and slightly bitter, with a savoury note often described as umami. Matcha has a long link to Japanese tea ceremony, and it has also become a cafe staple in lattes and desserts around the world.
What are the grades of matcha powder?
Matcha powder is usually sold as ceremonial grade or culinary grade. There is no single global standard for these terms, so they describe how the seller intends the powder to be used.
| Grade | Typical colour | Taste | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial | Bright, vivid green | Smooth, sweeter, less bitter | Whisked with water and drunk plain |
| Premium or latte | Green, a little deeper | Balanced | Lattes and smoothies |
| Culinary | Duller, yellow-green | Stronger, more bitter | Baking, cooking, ice cream |
Prices rise with the grade, so ceremonial matcha is generally the most expensive. Culinary matcha is not low quality for its purpose, since it is designed to stand up to milk and sugar.
How do you choose good matcha powder?
Good matcha powder is bright green, very fine and smells fresh and grassy. A dull, brownish or yellow powder is a sign of older or lower-grade leaf.
- Colour: vivid green is better than olive.
- Texture: silky and fine, not gritty.
- Origin: Japan is the traditional source, with regions such as Uji and Nishio widely known for tea.
- Packaging: an airtight, opaque container that blocks light.
- Ingredients: the label should list only green tea leaf. Added sugar or milk powder makes it a latte mix.
Check the production or best-before date and buy in small amounts you will finish.
How do you make matcha with water?
Matcha is made by sifting about 1 to 2 grams of powder into a bowl, adding 60 to 70 ml of water at around 70 to 80 degrees Celsius and whisking briskly until frothy. That amount is roughly one level teaspoon.
- Sift the powder into a wide bowl to remove clumps.
- Pour in the warm water.
- Whisk in a fast zigzag, wrist loose, for 15 to 30 seconds with a bamboo whisk or a small electric frother.
- Stop when a fine foam covers the surface.
- Drink straight away, before the powder settles.
How do you make a matcha latte?
A matcha latte is made by whisking a teaspoon of matcha with a little warm water to a smooth paste and topping it with steamed or cold milk. Starting with the paste prevents lumps.
For an iced version, pour the matcha paste over ice and add cold milk. Many people add a little sweetener, because culinary and latte grades can taste bitter next to milk. Oat milk and regular dairy milk are common choices, and the drink looks best poured slowly so the green and white layers show.
How do you store matcha powder?
Matcha powder should be kept in a sealed container, away from light, heat and moisture. Many tea sellers recommend the refrigerator once the tin is opened.
Air, light and warmth make the colour fade and the flavour go flat. If the matcha is chilled, let the closed tin reach room temperature before opening so that condensation does not form on the powder. Use an opened tin within about one to two months for the best taste, though it stays safe to use for longer.
Can you bake and cook with matcha powder?
Yes. Matcha powder works in baking, desserts, pancakes, smoothies and even savoury salt blends. Culinary grade is the usual choice because heat dulls the delicate flavour of ceremonial grade.
- Sift it with the flour or icing sugar.
- Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of flour and adjust.
- Pair it with white chocolate, vanilla, coconut or berries, which soften the bitterness.
- Expect the green to turn a little olive after baking.
What is the difference between matcha and regular green tea?
Matcha is a powder of the whole leaf that is whisked into water, while regular green tea is whole or broken leaf that is steeped and strained. With matcha, you drink the leaf itself.
| Feature | Matcha | Steeped green tea |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Fine powder | Loose leaf or tea bags |
| Growing | Shaded before harvest | Usually grown in full sun |
| Preparation | Whisked in a bowl | Steeped in a pot or cup |
| Taste | Strong, grassy, slightly sweet | Lighter, more delicate |
| Colour | Bright green and opaque | Pale green or yellow and clear |
Both come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and differ by how the leaf is grown and processed. Matcha also contains caffeine, so it suits people who want a tea with a coffee-like lift, though amounts vary by product.
What tools do you need to make matcha?
A sieve, a bowl and a whisk are enough to make matcha. A traditional bamboo whisk, called a chasen, is the classic tool, and a small electric frother is a handy alternative.
- Sieve: a small tea strainer removes clumps.
- Bowl: a wide bowl lets the whisk move freely.
- Whisk: a bamboo chasen makes fine foam, and a frother is quicker.
- Scoop: a bamboo scoop, or a level teaspoon, measures about 1 to 2 grams.
Rinse the whisk in warm water straight after use and let it dry on a stand. A dry whisk keeps its shape for longer.
Is matcha powder bitter, and how do you fix it?
Matcha powder can taste bitter when the water is too hot, the powder is old or the grade is culinary. A cooler temperature, fresh powder and a little sweetener or milk soften the edge.
Try 70 degrees Celsius water first. Use less powder if the drink is too strong, and add a spoon of honey or a splash of milk. If the matcha tastes flat, brown or stale, it is probably past its best, and no technique will repair that.
Is matcha on the Melo Cafe menu?
Yes, the menu recorded for Melo Cafe lists a hot Matcha, described as a green tea matcha latte, and a cold Iced Matcha made with matcha and cold milk. A specialty drink called Matcha Beary Bliss also appears under cold drinks, although the source does not describe its ingredients.
Melo Cafe is a brunch cafe in Windsor Gardens, Adelaide. The menu listing is unofficial and undated, so the drinks may have changed, and no prices are recorded. This independent guide takes no orders. See the recorded menu and the hours and location page.
Common questions
Is matcha powder the same as green tea powder?
Not always. True matcha is made from shade-grown tencha leaves ground to a fine powder. Some products labelled green tea powder are ground from ordinary green tea and taste more bitter and look duller.
Why is my matcha clumpy?
Matcha clumps because the fine powder holds static and moisture. Sift it through a small sieve before adding water, then whisk in a zigzag motion until the surface is covered in tiny bubbles.
What water temperature is best for matcha?
Water of about 70 to 80 degrees Celsius is a common recommendation. Boiling water can make matcha taste bitter, while water that is too cool does not mix well.
Does matcha go off?
Matcha does not spoil like fresh food, but its colour, aroma and taste fade over time. An unopened tin lasts longer, and an opened one is best used within a month or two.
Can you use matcha powder in baking?
Yes. Culinary matcha works in cakes, biscuits, pancakes and white chocolate desserts. Sift it with the flour so it spreads evenly, and expect the green to dull a little in the oven.
For the address, opening hours and menu, see Melo Cafe in Windsor Gardens.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Melo Cafe itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.