Have you wanted to try a Matcha at a cafe, but you aren’t sure how to order it? We have listed out the variations of how you can order your Matcha, in an Australian cafe.
Did you know that matcha has been around for centuries?
Whilst it is traditionally made into a strong tea, it’s also widely used in many desserts, savoury dishes and even skincare.
Possibly the most popular however is a matcha in a drink.
From tea to sweet icy frappuccinos matcha is a truly diverse flavour that can be a great addition to anyone’s daily drink stop.
The two most popular matcha drinks to order in Australia
While there are many delicious matcha drinks to choose from, if you’re new to the matcha scene you’ll do well to start with one of these options:
+ Matcha latte
+ Matcha frappuccino
These options can both be tweaked to suit your personal sweetness preference and are generally mild in strength.
Ordering matcha at a cafe is popular in Australia
Getting a matcha at a cafe is a great reason to socialise and catch up with your friends! Not only does it taste great but you get all of the benefits of a coffee catchup without the caffeine comedown that follows.
Not to mention that the rest of the world is just slowly starting to catch up to Japan and appreciate the matcha flavour.
Ordering a matcha at a cafe is easier than making it at home
Ordering a matcha drink at a café is much easier than making one at home, in the sense that you don’t have to worry about gathering and preparing the ingredients or having the equipment needed to make the drink such as a blender, frother or matcha whisk.
What are the top 4 Matcha drinks and how do you order them?
As will be the case with any order you make from this list, there will be some choices you have to make first:
+ Choose your favourite milk – Cow’s milk is always an option, although many people choose to drink matcha with a plant based milk such as oat, almond or macadamia to enhance the flavour
+ Size of your drink – Most cafes will give you the choice between small, medium and large for hot drinks or regular and large for cold ones.
+ Add ons – decide if you want any additions to the basic matcha drink, whether that be syrups, spices or sweeteners.
Matcha latte
A matcha latte is made by whisking matcha powder with hot water until it forms a paste, then adding in hot, steamed milk and mixing it all together to create a creamy latte.
Sweetener is also added to the taste of the customer.
Matcha Smoothie
Matcha goes with so many different flavours, however to allow the matcha to truly stand out the most popular smoothies to pair it with are either banana or coconut (or both!).
To make this the matcha powder is whisked together with hot water to form a paste before being added into a blender with either banana or coconut, milk, yoghurt/ ice cream, sweetener and fruit of the cafes choosing.
Matcha Iced Tea
A matcha iced tea is closer to the traditional drink and has a much stronger flavour than the other drinks in this list. It is made by whisking matcha powder with hot water until it forms a paste, then adding in either cold water or chilled tea and stirred well.
Finally, ice cubes are added to ensure the drink stays cold and refreshing. Some cafes will give the option of adding honey, lemon or mint for an added flavour.
Matcha Frappuccino
A matcha frappuccino is a great drink for someone who wants something cold, refreshing and creamy. It is made by blending a mix of ice, milk, matcha powder and sweetener until smooth.
Many choose to add whipped cream and/ or ice cream along with flavoured syrup on top to create a deliciously cold dessert.
Once you have decided on which drink you would like to order, simply go up to the cafe counter and ask for the drink, size, milk and sweeteners/ add ons you have chosen.
What is a long matcha drink order?
There are a few different additions you can ask for when ordering a matcha drink to enhance and customise both the flavour and texture. These add ons will create what is called a long order.
+ Milk – There are many types of milk to choose from, with cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk and oat milk being the most common choices. This allows people with varying preferences and dietary requirements to still enjoy!
+ Sweetener – For those that are after a sweeter drink you could ask to have sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave syrup or any sugar substitute like splenda or stevia added
+ Foam / cream – With a hot matcha drink such as a latte you can ask for extra foam or if you’re having your drink chilled then cream can be a great addition
+ Syrups – While this is not as common you can also ask for a flavoured syrup to be added such as hazelnut, chocolate, or vanilla. I find vanilla is the perfect choice to increase that sweetness while still enhancing the natural earthy flavours.
+ Spices – Cinnamon is a common spice to add, however you can also add nutmeg and ginger
While it may take some practice to be able to say “Can I please have a small matcha latte made with oat milk, two sugars, extra foam and a pump of vanilla?” you’ll be grateful once you have found the drink that has you coming back for it every morning.
Be mindful that not all cafes will offer all of these swaps / add ons so make sure to ask if you are unsure. They will tell you what they will have as an alternative, so don’t be nervous to ask.
How do I order a healthy matcha latte?
Matcha powder itself is considered a health super food and has many benefits including being high in antioxidants, assisting with weight loss, boosting brain function and may even help to protect the liver. To order a healthy matcha drink you can do the following:
+ Sweetner – Ask for a reduced amount of sweetener or request a sugar substitute such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener
+ Spices – Spices can be a great addition, with no calories. If you would like any additional ingredients such as cinnamon or nutmeg which can add flavour without adding extra calories
+ Low fat milks – Opt for a low fat milk and ask for no cream or ice cream to be added.
Do you drink matcha with water or milk?
Matcha can be enjoyed with either milk or water and the choice of which to use is up to you and your preferences. The traditional way of preparing matcha in Japanese tea ceremonies is just with water which results in a strong, pure flavour profile.
However, matcha mixed with milk, such as in matcha lattes creates a creamy rich drink with a milder flavour. Some people prefer the added sweetness and creaminess the milk provides.
Ultimately the choice is up to you, if you’re new to the matcha train why not try both and see which you prefer!
Who should not drink matcha?
For most people, matcha can be a great addition to their diet to help boost their health, however not for everyone.
While the caffeine effects of matcha are milder compared to that of coffee, pregnant people still need to be cautious as drinking multiple cups a day can put them over their recommended daily caffeine limit.
Matcha may also limit the amount of iron your body is able to absorb in your blood, so people with anaemia need to be cautious when consuming matcha.
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Matcha is incredibly versatile and there is a drink out there to suit everyone, whether you’re trying it for the first time or looking to rediscover your love. With so many options, it’s hard to pick just one! Have you tried them all yet? If you like matcha, why not also try a chai?
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