The Matcha Mission..
Matcha. What is it and why is suddenly everyone so obsessed?
It is a high-end green tea (tencha) in very a thin powder form that is whisked into hot water instead of steeping like traditional teas. It is grown in various regions around Japan and are classified as ceremonial and culinary. I learned that the terms associated really do not mean much, it is about the region, how it was cultivated and how it was processed. Not only does it provide a unique taste, it is high in L-theanine, caffeine and antioxidants. A good quality matcha should be vibrant and rich in the sweet umami flavors and the lower quality matchas will be dull and bitter. Did you know that water temperature affects the way the matcha tastes? The ideal water temperature to mix in the matcha is between 140° F and 175° F, anything more than that is going to ruin it. A bamboo whisk is also preferred to mix the matcha and you will need a small bowl.
There is so much more to it than you may think, it is meant to be a whole ceremony. It is called the Japanese tea ceremony, the ritual in preparation and presentation which provides mindfulness and hospitality.
I had never tried matcha until last month and the first time I tried it I asked myself, why do people like this?? It was a sip of strong green weird flavor that the one sip is all I needed to say I do not like it! I wanted to give it another shot and compare various coffee shops and find the best one in Austin. To my surprise I find good ones and can now say I am a matcha drinker. :) Not only are they pretty and make a good instagram picture, but matcha is good for you. So why is everyone obsessed, I truly do not know other than it tastes good and looks pretty because I can guarantee many people are not drinking it for the benefits and probably have no clue what the ingredients are.
I am here to give you my personal opinion on the best and worst matcha lattes from my experience on the 10 places I visited in Austin, Tx. Many of you sent me recommendations and wanted to know what I found so I took on the mission. I understand that the barista working makes a difference or was it so busy they rushed but if they use high quality matcha and pride in making it, then it should be good consistently. I will also give my feedback on buying your own and making it at home. Listed are from my least favorite to my favorite.
#10- Dear Austin on S Lamar (Iced Lavender Oat Matcha Latte) I know this is a favorite spot for coffee for many but I thought it was the worst matcha. One sip in and it took me back to the first time I ever tried it, not sweet, very green and very strong. I did not finish it which was such a waste for $9. No oat milk flavor and definitely no lavender at all. Disappointing bacause they charge extra for the oat milk.
#9- Summer Moon on Menchaca Rd (Iced Lavender Oat Matcha Latte) I paid around $9 for this matcha and it had a very strong matcha flavor. By the time I had gotten to my destination it tasted so watered down it was not good.
#8-Swedish Hill on W 6th (Iced Lavender Oat Latte) This place is overhyped. I do not get it. The latte once again was not balanced and it got watered down so fast. Tasted like matcha with watered milk, no lavender at all. Side note; I had their sandwich and for the price I paid I was very disappointed, the mustard was so strong I felt it burn through my nostrils and well to me nothing to it. I’ve had better ones for way cheaper. I know because I love sandwiches. Back to the matcha, also pricier at the $9. They also charge extra for the oat milk.
#7- Kyoko on Airport Blvd (Ube Oat Matcha Latte) The owner Patrick is super nice and inviting. He has a little truck he serves out of in a parking lot. He recommended the Ube so I went for it. At first it looks brown when you mix it, it was okay in my opinion. I do not know what Ube is supposed to taste because I never had it so I was not sure of it. He said it tasted like a sugar cookie but not too sweet and well I do not know where that cookie was. He does not use any extra sugars or syrups and makes his own ube syrup. It was doable, I drank it and after a while I got an earthy flavor more like chocolate notes.
#6- Caphe.in on Guadalupe St (Iced Vanilla Oat Matcha Latte) First of all let’s start with the wait time. I waited 1 hour on a Tues at 3 pm. The only reason I waited was because Cashmere was at the groomer and I had time to kill. They have a list of specials which the Ube and Strawberry are on the list but where sold out when I was there. They have two people working, one taking the order and one making your drink. You can tell that each and every one of those drinks are carefully crafted and served. Once ordered the drink gets out fast, it is just the line is so long and everyone has so many questions about the menu. I am not sure if it is because they just opened or if the line will always be there because it the best pics for instagram. Every single person who ordered took a photo. I would skip it unless you try one of their specials or go as soon as they open to avoid a line. To me it was like just another latte and not worth the hour wait. Price was just about the other ones at like $9.
#5- Starbucks (Iced Dubai Chocolate inspired Match Latte) I know what you are thinking, Starbucks really haha If you are a fan of chocolate AND if it is done right this is really good. It includes pistachio sauce and chocolate cream cold foam. Luckily the guy who made mine did it perfectly and I enjoyed every sip of it. The price was around $8.
#4- Merit on S Lamar (Iced Strawberry Almond Milk Matcha Latte) I know this is a favorite for many. The first time I went I would have listed as one of the worst ones. Why? I felt I was drinking milk. I was told that maybe they had given me the wrong milk so I decided to give it another try. The second time around I can say it was way better, even when they gave the cup it looked like a good ratio. Sweet enough and the strawberry flavor is good, tasted like a strawberry ice cream to me. I had another recommendation and decided to also try it, the Vanilla coconut milk and this by far was my favorite of the two. The flavors reminded me on a marshmallow but the coconut comes through pretty strong. Each at around $8.75, they are some I would go back and drink.
#3- Ghoul Coffee on E Cesar Chavez (Ceremonial Iced Vanilla Oat latte) This is a food truck and would say it was at my top. They have two types of matcha lattes, a ceremonial and their pre batch. Matt was cool and I told him what I was doing that he gave the second option to try. I ordered the ceremonial with 2.5 pumps vanilla and i loved the flavors, great balance and not too sweet. The pre batch was also amazing. If you like sweeter go with the pre batch which was also creamier. You cannot go wrong with either options. I paid $7.95 which by far was one of the cheapest.
#2- Afuga Coffee on Navasota St (Iced Lavender Oat Latte) By far one of my favorite places not busy and tucked in. The best part is they do not charge extra for oat or lavender, I paid $7.50. The perfect sweet, subtle lavender flavor came through without being watered down or strong in matcha. So easy to drink.
#1- Noble Joe at Southshore Eatery food truck-E Riverside (Iced Lavender Oat Latte) This place has to be my favorite. The latte was so smooth and the lavender peeked in just enough but not overpowered. The flavors held well while I went on almost a two hour walk without tasting so watered down. These run at about $9 because they do charge extra for the syrups and oat milk.
#1 part 2- Central Matcha (Iced Strawberry Oat Latte) This is not a coffee shop but you have to go see Patrick at the Barton Creek Farmers Market on Saturdays. He is the owner of Central Matcha, a local Austin brand who also distributes to many coffee shops in Austin. Hands down the best and you cannot beat the price at $6! He makes his own strawberry puree which is seasonal but a game changer. He sells his tins of ceremonial matcha for you to make at home for $24.
If you want to make the latte at home and want an adaptogen matcha latte I recommend Clevr. They have their famous Honey Pistachio Latte, the Lavender Honey, the Vanilla and the regular matcha latte. These are filled with adaptogens (Ashwaghanda), mushrooms (Lions Mane and Reishi) and collagen. They also taste great! It was recommended to me and I started with the Lavender and it was smooth with good flavor. The best part is that you just mix with water, froth, add extra milk if you want and you are good to go. The product has everything you need even the creamer and powdered oat milk. If you are interested feel free to reach out for a referral code and get $20 off your first order.
Leave a comment, let me know how you feel about these or if you go try them! Others on the list that were recommended that I have not visited but would love to try include The Well, Fleet Coffee, Dark Horse, Cafe no Se, Houndstooth, Love Lamp, Desnudo, Pershing east, Free Wheelin, Palomino Coffee, and Majik Matcha.
- Matcha Love, RA