What’s actually in your matcha?
Matcha is no longer niche.
From cafés to supermarket shelves, products labelled “matcha” now come in everything from bottled drinks to instant sachets and premixed latte powders.
But not every “matcha” product is actually pure matcha powder.
In many cases, what’s being sold is a matcha-flavoured blend made with sugar, milk powders, creamers, flavourings, and stabilisers, with only a small percentage of actual green tea powder included.
For many people, that’s where the confusion begins.
What is pure matcha?
Traditionally, matcha is simply finely ground green tea leaves.
Ideally, high-quality matcha should contain only one ingredient: Matcha green tea powder.
The flavour, texture, sweetness, colour, and overall experience come from the tea itself, rather than added sugars or flavourings.
What’s inside many instant matcha latte mixes?
Many instant “matcha” products are designed for convenience and sweetness.
Rather than pure matcha powder, they often contain ingredients such as:
- glucose syrup
- sugar
- milk powders
- creamers
- flavourings
- stabilisers
- sweeteners
In some cases, the actual green tea powder only makes up a small percentage of the product.
This is especially common in instant sachets, premixed latte powders, and ready-to-drink bottled matcha beverages.
That doesn’t necessarily make them “bad” products. They’re simply designed differently, often to create a sweeter, creamier, and more accessible drink.
However, they are very different from drinking traditional matcha.
Why does this matter?
Because what’s inside the product changes the experience entirely.
A sweetened premix will naturally taste smoother and less grassy, because much of the flavour is coming from sugar, creamers, and flavourings rather than the tea itself.
This is also why many people believe they “don’t like matcha” after trying lower quality or heavily processed versions.
In reality, they may have never tried pure matcha on its own.
Higher quality matcha, particularly first harvest matcha, tends to have:
- a softer sweetness
- richer umami
- less bitterness
- a smoother finish
without needing added sugars or flavourings to balance it.
Matcha powder vs matcha latte mix
Understanding the difference helps explain why matcha can taste so different from one product to another.
While pure matcha is simply ground green tea leaves, many instant matcha latte products are designed as flavoured beverage mixes built around tea.
Reading ingredient lists can often reveal the difference immediately.
A more traditional approach
At Matchérie, the focus is on sourcing first harvest matcha from Uji, Kyoto.
Rather than flavoured powders or premixes, the intention is to offer matcha that can be enjoyed for what it is, whether prepared traditionally or as part of an everyday latte ritual.
Explore our matcha: