What Does Starbucks Matcha Taste Like? Flavor Explanation
Are you curious about what Starbucks matcha tastes like?
Starbucks matcha has helped popularize matcha, especially as an alternative to coffee. But what exactly is in Starbucks matcha and what does it taste like?
Starbucks matcha is a green tea powder blended with sugar to give it a sweet taste. It’s used as a base for various drinks like lattes, lemonades, and frappuccinos. The sweetness comes from the added sugar. The creaminess comes from the use of milk in the latte. However, the traditional earthy, umami, and nutty flavors aren’t as strong as Starbucks matcha.
The ingredients in Starbucks matcha can vary depending on the beverage and customization.
In this blog, we’ll explore the flavor profile of Starbucks Matcha, the different types of drinks you can get with it, and how you can customize your own drink. We’ll also share a recipe for making your matcha latte at home that tastes even better than Starbucks.
What Is Starbucks Matcha?
Starbucks matcha is made from finely ground green tea leaves. It’s used in a variety of drinks, including the popular matcha latte.
Starbucks matcha powder is made by blending the matcha powder with sugar, which gives it a slightly sweet taste. The sugar content in the matcha powder is quite high, and it’s used to reduce the bitterness that’s common in matcha.
The matcha powder is used as a foundation for various drinks such as lattes, lemonades, and frappuccinos. It’s a good option for those who want to try a coffee alternative.
What Does Starbucks Matcha Taste Like?
Starbucks matcha tastes sweet, rich, and creamy with a hint of earthiness and nuttiness. The sweetness of Starbucks matcha comes from the added sugar, which is used to balance out the bitterness of the matcha tea. The creaminess comes from the use of milk in the latte.
If you’re a fan of sweet drinks, you will enjoy Starbucks matcha. But if you prefer the natural taste of matcha then you may find it too sweet. The earthy and nutty flavors of the matcha are not as pronounced in Starbucks matcha.
What’s In Starbucks Matcha?
Starbucks matcha is made from finely ground powder made from green tea leaves and sugar. Sugar makes up the majority of the matcha blend followed by the matcha powder itself. The matcha powder used by Starbucks is sourced from Japan.
You can’t purchase Starbucks matcha separately because it’s their proprietary blend.
The ingredients in Starbucks matcha can be different depending on the beverage and customization.
For example, to make their matcha drinks sweeter, Starbucks adds sugar syrup to the mix. However, the amount of sugar added can vary depending on the type of drink you order.
The Tasting Notes of Starbucks Matcha
Starbucks Matcha has a vegetal taste that is earthy, nutty, and slightly bitter. It also has a creamy texture that is perfect for lattes and other drinks.
If you are wondering what the unique flavor notes you’ll taste from Starbucks matcha taste like, here’s a breakdown.
Sweetness
Starbucks matcha is sweet since the main ingredient is sugar. The sweetness is balanced with the earthy and nutty flavors. It’s an ideal balance for those who don’t like their drinks too bitter.
Earthy And Nutty
The earthy and nutty flavors in Starbucks matcha come from the way it is grown and processed. The leaves are shade-grown which gives them an earthy, nutty, and umami flavor profile.
Creamy
One of the things that sets Starbucks matcha apart from other matcha drinks is its creamy texture. This is due to the way it is prepared.
The matcha powder is whisked with hot water and then combined with steamed milk, which gives it a smooth and velvety texture.
Slightly Bitter
Starbucks Matcha has a slightly bitter taste, but it isn’t overwhelming. The bitterness is balanced with the sweetness and creaminess, making it a well-rounded drink.
What Do Different Types Of Starbucks Matcha Drinks Taste Like?
Starbucks offers four popular matcha drinks: Matcha Green Tea Latte, Matcha Lemonade, Matcha Green Tea Creme Frappuccino, and Iced Matcha Tea Latte.
Each drink is perfect for the right occasion. For example, a warm matcha latte is a great pick-me-up in the afternoon whereas an iced version may be better suited for warmer weather.
Matcha Green Tea Latte
Matcha Green Tea Latte is a popular drink at Starbucks made with matcha powder, steamed milk, and sweetened with vanilla syrup.
The matcha flavor is mild because it’s balanced by the sweetness of sugar and the richness of milk. The drink has a smooth texture and a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Iced Matcha Lemonade
Iced Matcha Lemonade is a refreshing drink made with matcha powder, lemonade, and ice.
The matcha flavor isn’t as strong in this drink, but it still adds a unique twist to the classic lemonade taste. The drink has a tart and sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness from the matcha.
Matcha Green Tea Creme Frappuccino
Matcha Green Tea Creme Frappuccino is a blended drink made with matcha powder, milk, ice, and vanilla syrup.
The drink has a creamy texture and a sweet, vanilla flavor with a hint of matcha. The matcha flavor isn’t as strong as in the Matcha Green Tea Latte, but it still adds a unique taste to the drink.
Iced Matcha Tea Latte
Iced Matcha Tea Latte is a refreshing drink made with matcha powder, milk, and ice. The drink has a smooth and creamy texture with a slightly bitter aftertaste from the matcha.
The milk and the sweetness of the syrup balance out the bitterness, making it a refreshing and enjoyable drink.
Comparison Of Different Starbucks Matcha Drinks Taste
Here’s a comparison chart of the four most popular matcha Starbucks drinks, with Iced Matcha Lemonade replacing Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink:
| Drink Name | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Matcha Latte | Creamy and slightly sweet with a subtle earthy flavor from the matcha. |
| Iced Matcha Latte | Refreshing and slightly sweet with a subtle earthy flavor from the matcha. |
| Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino | Sweet and creamy with a strong matcha flavor and hints of vanilla. |
| Iced Matcha Lemonade | Refreshing and tart with a subtle earthy flavor from the matcha and a hint of lemon. |
All four of these matcha drinks have a primary sweet taste, with flavor notes ranging from creamy to refreshing.
The Matcha Latte and Iced Matcha Latte are both creamy and slightly sweet, while the Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino is much sweeter and creamier with a strong matcha flavor and hints of vanilla. The Iced Matcha Lemonade is refreshing and tart with a subtle earthy flavor from the matcha and a hint of lemon.
Different Options To Customize Starbucks Matcha Taste
When it comes to matcha at Starbucks, there are several ways to customize your drink to your liking.
By customizing your matcha drink at Starbucks, you can create a unique flavor profile that suits your taste preferences. Whether you prefer your matcha hot or cold, sweet or unsweetened, there are plenty of options to choose from.
1. Choose Your Milk Or Dairy Alternative
Starbucks offers a variety of milk and dairy alternatives to choose from, including whole milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and soy milk.
Here’s a list of different kinds of milk and dairy alternatives offered at Starbucks:
- Whole Milk
- 2% Milk
- Nonfat Milk
- Soy Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Almond Milk
- Oat Milk
- Cream
- Half-and-Half
Each option will subtly alter the taste and texture of your matcha drink, so experiment with different choices to find your preferred combination.
2. Adjust The Sweetness
Matcha at Starbucks is typically sweetened with classic syrup, which is a blend of sugar and water. Unfortunately, matcha at Starbucks contains mostly sugar, which may negate some health benefits.
- Sweetener Packets: Sugar In Raw, Honey, Splenda, Stevia In Raw
- Liquid Sweeteners: classic syrup, liquid cane sugar syrup and honey blend.
You can customize the sweetness level of your drink by asking for more or less syrup, or by requesting a different sweetener altogether, such as honey or agave.
To avoid excess calories use either Splenda or Stevia In Raw. The honey blend is also a great option since it’s a natural sweeter.
3. Add More Scoops of Matcha
Starbucks gives you the option to add more matcha powder scoops.
Adding more scoops of matcha to a Starbucks matcha drink will increase the strength of the matcha taste but also the sweetness.
The drink will still maintain its balance of bitter and sweet. But the overall matcha flavor will become more prominent. The texture of the drink may also become thicker and grainier with more matcha powder added.
4. Choose Either Hot Or Cold
Matcha at Starbucks can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference. Hot matcha drinks tend to have a richer, more comforting flavor, while cold matcha drinks are refreshing and energizing.
5. Add Flavor Enhancers
Starbucks offers several flavor enhancers that can be added to your matcha drink, such as vanilla or caramel syrup.
- Toppings: You can add toppings to your matcha drink, such as whipped cream, caramel drizzle, chocolate shavings, or matcha powder.
- Syrups: You can add flavor syrups to your matcha drink, including classic syrup, vanilla syrup, caramel syrup, hazelnut syrup, toffee nut syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, peppermint syrup and raspberry syrup.
- Sauces: You can drizzle sauces over your Starbucks matcha, such as dark caramel sauce, pumpkin sauce and white chocolate mocha sauce.
Keep in mind that these additions will alter the taste of your drink significantly, so choose wisely.
How to Make Matcha at Home That Tastes Better Than Starbucks
If you’re a fan of matcha but don’t like what Starbucks has to offer, then this recipe is for you. While Starbucks’ matcha drinks are convenient, they don’t always deliver the best matcha taste. Plus, it’s very hard to control the quality of their matcha and the quantity of sugar.
Making your own matcha at home can taste even better than what you get at Starbucks.
Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Use Ceremonial-Grade Matcha
The quality of your matcha can make a big difference in the taste.
Look for ceremonial-grade matcha, which is made from the youngest tea leaves and has a smooth, delicate flavor. Lower quality matcha such as culinary grade can taste bitter or astringent.
You’ll know it’s ceremonial-grade because it has a bright green color whereas culinary-grade has a yellowish dull green color.
Use the Right Amount of Matcha
The amount of matcha you use can also affect the taste.
A general rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon of matcha per 8 ounces of water. You can adjust this to your taste. If you prefer a stronger flavor then use more matcha.
Sweeten Sparingly
Matcha has a slight sweetness, so you don’t need to add much sugar.
If you do want to sweeten it, try adding honey or agave nectar to matcha instead of granulated sugar. You can also add a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Recipe: Homemade Matcha Latte
Here’s a simple homemade matcha latte recipe that tastes better than Starbucks without the extra sugar or calories.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon ceremonial grade matcha
- 8 ounces of hot water
- 1/2 cup of your preferred milk (almond, soy, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
- Splash of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the matcha and hot water (80°C/176°F) until the matcha is fully dissolved and there are no clumps.
- Heat up your milk in a saucepan or in the microwave until it’s hot but not boiling.
- Pour the matcha mixture into your mug.
- Add the honey or agave nectar and vanilla extract (if using) and stir well.
- Pour the hot milk into the mug and stir until everything is well combined.
- Enjoy your homemade matcha latte!
Final Thoughts
Starbucks Matcha is a popular green tea powder used to make a variety of drinks. It has a sweet, rich, and creamy taste with a hint of earthiness and nuttiness.
Starbucks matcha is pre-mixed with powdered sugar which is why it’s sweet. The added sugar balances out the bitterness of the matcha. However, if you prefer the natural taste of matcha, Starbucks Matcha may be too sweet for you.
Whether you choose to enjoy a Matcha Latte at Starbucks or make your own at home, there are plenty of ways to customize your drink to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flavor is Starbucks matcha?
Starbucks matcha has a sweet, earthy flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste. It’s made from finely ground green tea leaves and powdered sugar. This combination is presweetened which is unique to Starbucks.
Is the matcha at Starbucks good quality?
Starbucks matcha is of decent quality, but it is not the highest quality matcha available. The matcha used at Starbucks mostly contains sugar which isn’t the best quality. Although Starbucks hasn’t disclosed what brand of matcha they use, they’ve confirmed that it’s sourced from Japan.
Is matcha powder from Starbucks sweet?
Yes, Starbucks matcha powder is pre-sweetened. Additionally, their matcha drinks are often made with additional sweeteners like syrup. If you prefer a less sweet matcha drink, you can ask for less or no added sweeteners.
Why is Starbucks matcha so high in sugar?
Starbucks matcha drinks are often high in sugar because they are made with added sweeteners like sugar or syrup. Their customers typically prefer sweetened drinks so Starbucks caters to their audience. The high sugar content in Starbucks matcha isn’t the healthiest choice nor is overconsuming good for you. If you are concerned about the sugar content, you can ask for less or no added sweeteners.
Is Starbucks matcha powder real matcha?
Yes, Starbucks matcha powder is made with real matcha from finely ground green tea leaves. However, it is a blend of different grades of matcha, which is why it is not as expensive as other premium matcha brands.
