5 Tough Matcha Questions That Needed Better Answers

There are so many questions online about matcha lately, some are simple and basic to answer. Other questions have been tougher with the answers given still leaving people searching for a better response. After 20 years of sourcing, comparing, and learning from top Japanese matcha tea masters, we’re giving a few of those answers a go.

1. Is Expensive Matcha Actually Better?

First, let’s define “expensive matcha”:

• Cost: $1.50/g and up ($45 for a 30g tin or higher, 30g equals 1.06 oz)

For now, $45 for a 30g tin we consider slightly on the expensive side, but prices are going up in 2027, so after another six months or so, we would likely increase that to say $60 for a 30g tin starts getting expensive. Nonetheless, is expensive matcha better?

Well, it really depends on why you are drinking matcha and what you want to get from it. If you’re drinking it for the super mentally and emotionally calming effect that L-theanine provides, along with the smooth taste when mixed only with water, then the answer is yes, a more expensive matcha will be better, aim on the side of around $40 or so per 30g tin (but bank on that price going up substantially in 2027).

BUT…. if you’re not drinking matcha for how good it makes you feel or its health benefits, and you simply enjoy the color and taste say in a sweetened matcha latte, we’d say save your $$ and a lesser quality matcha is the better choice, no need to pay the high bucks.

2. Should I Use Expensive or Ceremonial Matcha in a Latte?

If you’re looking for a matcha that pairs well in a latte, the smoother tasting matchas, like what North Americans call “ceremonial,” won’t work as well. We say the answer is no, do not use an expensive, high-quality matcha for your latte.

Why Not, You Ask?

Because you need a bold flavor that can cut through milk, and sugar (if you must), so you can actually taste the matcha. Higher grades of matcha have higher L-theanine, which makes the leaves, and thus the powder, taste smoother and more mild and will get lost in a latte mix.

A midsummer matcha, or a blend of first and second harvest matcha (like our Barista’s Matcha) provides a bolder flavor at about 1/2 the price. That bold flavor comes from the higher tannins and less l-theanine content that later harvested matcha has. But don’t cheap out! There is bitter tasting matcha out there too!

The only caveat here is if you still want to experience the high l-theanine and enjoy the matcha taste at the same time. Which is not easy to do, and hard to find a matcha product that can provide that.

Lucky for you, we created the Barista’s Matcha Lattes with that effect in mind. We put 1.5g of Barista’s Matcha in one serving of Barista’s Matcha Latte (1 tbsp) to get a nice bold flavor while at the same time providing more L-theanine than in many ceremonial matchas. It’s a great matcha latte product.

3. When Can Cheaper Matcha Taste Better Than Expensive Matcha?

When it’s a personal taste preference.

At My Matcha Life®, we have a smooth-tasting, high-L-theanine, organic ceremonial-grade matcha ($1.33 per gram), and then we also have a premium-grade matcha that has a bold flavor ($0.56 per gram). They are both well-liked by our customers, but for different reasons and preparations.

Some people prefer bold flavors others prefer milder ones. Whether you enjoy your matcha in pure water, in a latte, or in a blender drink, it simply comes down to a matter of personal preference.

We also feel that in a matcha latte the bold flavors of a later harvest or a blend of first and second,tastes better, which is why we use our Barista’s Matcha in our Matcha Latte mixes.

4. Why Does How You Prepare Matcha Change the Taste So Much?

This is a great question. When we go to our growers in Japan and they make us matcha, it is super strong—not much water mixed with a lot of powder. Is it pleasant? Meh, not so much! Even though we have 20 years of developing our matcha palate, that strong of matcha is not our ideal.

Take that same amount of matcha and add 8–10 oz of water to it, and for us it becomes more pleasant.

Add boiling water to the matcha, and it brings out the tannins—tannins make tea taste bitter.

Adding cool water to the matcha when you’re first making a paste before you whisk it, brings out the L-theanine and will make your matcha taste smoother.

A good, vigorous whisking with a bamboo whisk will properly aerate the matcha and alter the taste.

How Does Whisking Change the Taste?

Whisking mixes the powder so it dissolves well, it also changes the flavor and aroma by bringing in oxygen, releasing certain chemical compounds, and creating a foamy, frothy texture that has great mouthfeel, enhancing the matcha experience even more. You’re worth it, get the whisk!

5. What Does “Good Matcha” Actually Mean?

You may have been told that “good matcha” is always a bright green color, first harvest, from Uji, ceremonial, and stone ground. While those are solid indicators that you’d get a good matcha, they aren’t the entire scope.

For us at My Matcha Life®, “good” depends on what you want to use it for and what purpose: pure hot traditional-style matcha, matcha for a latte, or matcha for baking.

What makes a matcha good to us is one that fits your purpose, while knowing that it is safe from high heavy metals, including lead; that the grower and supplier adhere to International Food Safety Standards; and that there are processes in place to catch any bits of metal or debris that might show up during processing so nothing strange ends up in your powder.

In Conclusion:

At the end of the day, there really isn’t one perfect matcha for everyone. The “best” matcha is the one that tastes good to you, fits how you drink it, and gives you the experience you’re looking for. Whether you love a smooth, mellow cup, a bold matcha latte, or something in between, understanding what’s in your cup can help you make a better choice.

After 20 years of tasting, sourcing, comparing, and learning from Japanese matcha tea masters, we’ve learned that matcha is as personal as your morning ritual. Don’t get caught up in the labels, the hype, or the price tag. Taste it, enjoy it, and find the matcha that makes you happy. 🍵💚