Matcha is everywhere right now - and honestly? We love to see it. But if you've been matcha-curious for a while and just don't know where to start, or what the best matcha for beginners even looks like, we're here to help. With the UK's largest selection of flavoured matcha, we like to think we know a thing or two about making matcha delicious & fun to make at home every single day. This guide to matcha for beginners is for you if you've ever thought: "I want to try matcha, but where do I even begin?
What Is The Easiest Matcha To Start With?
Here's something we tell every first-time matcha drinker: un-flavoured or pure matcha is not the only starting point.
Traditional matcha has a beautiful earthy, vegetal flavour, but it's definitely an acquired taste. If you've tried a plain matcha before and thought it wasn't for you, don't give up on it just yet. The chances are it just wasn't the right matcha for you at that moment.
The easiest matcha to start with? A flavoured matcha blend & we have loads.
Our flavoured matchas use the same pure grade Japanese matcha base as our award-winning Pure Grade Matcha, so you're still getting all the good stuff (slow-release caffeine, antioxidants, and that famous calm focus) just with extra deliciousness added. Think of it like coffee: most people don't start with a straight double espresso. You work your way up or find your own personal favourite. Matcha is exactly the same.
What kind of flavours are we talking?
- Sweet & creamy - Our Vanilla Ice Cream Matcha (tastes like creamy vanilla ice cream - yes, really) or Salted Caramel Matcha for a rich, indulgent matcha latte.
- Fruity & refreshing - Our Blueberry & Acai Super Matcha is perfect for iced lattes, with a gorgeous fruity burst that makes every sip feel like a treat.
- Zesty & bright - Lemon Matcha served iced with lemonade is an absolute summer staple.
- Minty & smooth - Our Mint Matcha is creamy & buttery, dreamy with coconut milk.
- Dessert-inspired - Birthday Cake Matcha tastes like vanilla sponge and sweet icing.
Starting with a flavour you already know & love makes the whole matcha journey so much more fun & a habit you’re way more likely to stick to.
What Beginners Should Look For In Matcha
Shopping for the best matcha for beginners for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming.
Here's what really matters:
Taste: smooth over bitter
Good matcha should taste smooth and pleasant, not sharp or grassy. Our flavoured blends have a built-in advantage here because the added flavours naturally balance everything out.
Sweetness
Matcha isn't naturally sweet on its own, but it has a beautifully rich depth that lots of people love. If you know you like sweeter drinks, lean towards our sweet and creamy blends, or simply add a little vanilla syrup or agave to your cup.
Versatility: hot & iced
A great beginner matcha should work brilliantly both ways. Whether you fancy a cosy hot latte on a chilly morning or a refreshing iced drink in the summer, our flavoured matcha's are designed to work beautifully in both formats.
Ease of preparation
You don't need loads of fancy equipment to make an amazing matcha. A Perfect Matcha Spoon, a good whisk (our Bamboo Matcha Whisk or Matcha Latte Magic Whisk are brilliant for this), & you're good to go.
Common Beginner Mistakes (& How To Avoid Them)
Most people who try matcha and don't enjoy it have made at least one of these easy-to-fix mistakes:
Using too much powder
More isn't always more. Too much matcha makes your drink thick and overly intense. Stick to one Perfect Matcha Spoon (half a teaspoon) to start - it's the exact right amount for a perfect cup.
Using boiling water
This is probably the most common matcha mistake & it makes a massive difference. Boiling water (100°C) actually scorches the matcha, which causes that bitter taste people sometimes complain about. Always use water at around 80°C - add a splash of cold water first, then top with hot. It's a small step that makes a huge difference.
Expecting it to taste like green tea
Matcha & green tea come from the same plant, but they taste quite different. Matcha is more concentrated and has a distinct umami richness that regular green tea doesn't have. Go in with an open mind.
Expecting it to taste super bitter
If your matcha is really bitter, something has gone wrong, usually the water temperature. Good quality matcha, made properly, should not taste overly bitter.
Best Way To Drink Matcha For The First Time
If you're brand new to making matcha at home, start with an iced matcha latte, it converts matcha sceptics every single time.
How to make your first iced matcha latte:
- Add 1 Perfect Matcha Spoon of your chosen matcha to a cup or bowl.
- Add a small splash of warm water (80°C) - a splash of cold water first helps.
- Whisk in a W shape until frothy and smooth, with no blobs around the edges.
- Add a sweetener if you like, vanilla syrup or agave are our favourites.
- Pour your matcha shot into a large glass filled with ice.
- Top up with 125ml of cold oat milk.
- Give it a stir and enjoy.
The cold temperature and creamy milk make the flavour so smooth and delicious - refreshing, satisfying, and takes just a few minutes to make.
Prefer something warm and cosy? A hot matcha latte works on the same principle, just swap the ice for hot frothy milk.
Our Best Matcha Picks For Beginners
Now you know what to look for and how to make it - here are our honest recommendations for first-timers. Every single one uses our Great Taste Award-winning pure grade Japanese matcha as the base.
Vanilla Ice Cream Matcha
Tastes like: creamy vanilla ice cream
The one we recommend to almost every first-time matcha drinker. Smooth, naturally sweet, & absolutely gorgeous as an iced latte with oat milk. If you're not sure where to start - start here.
Best served: Iced latte | Milk: Oat milk
Salted Caramel Matcha
Tastes like: rich, buttery caramel with a hint of salt
If you're a fan of caramel lattes, this one was made for you. Deep, indulgent, and beautifully balanced, the salt cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Best served: Hot latte | Milk: Oat milk
Blueberry & Acai Super Matcha
Tastes like: sweet, jammy blueberries
Fruity, vibrant, and brilliant over ice. The fruity sweetness makes it incredibly easy to enjoy from the very first sip.
Best served: Iced latte | Milk: Oat milk
Lemon Matcha
Tastes like: fresh, zesty lemon
Zingy, refreshing, one of our favourite summer drinks. Lemon Matcha served iced with lemonade is an absolute revelation.
Best served: Iced with lemonade | Milk: Oat milk
Birthday Cake Matcha
Tastes like: vanilla sponge & sweet icing
Brilliantly fun, and one of the most joyful things we make. If you want something that feels like a treat every time this one’s for you.
Best served: Iced latte | Milk: Oat milk
Pure Grade Matcha
Tastes like: smooth, earthy, naturally sweet Japanese matcha
Not quite ready for flavoured? Our Pure Grade Matcha is made from the same award-winning Japanese matcha base smooth, vibrant, & delicious when made properly at 80°C.
Best served: Hot or iced latte | Milk: Coconut milk
Can't decide? Our Magical Matcha Selection Box includes 12 individual tins so you can taste your way through the collection & find your favourites before committing to a full tin. It's the best way to start your matcha journey - grab yours here.
Ready To Find Your Best Matcha For Beginners?
Finding a matcha you genuinely love just takes finding the right one & with the UK's largest flavoured matcha collection, we've got something for every taste. Give yourself permission to start sweet, start flavoured, start easy & go from there.
Shop our full matcha collection & find your first favourite flavour
Once you've found your go-to, want to explore everything we have? Check out our complete guide to the best flavoured matchas, with tasting notes and serving suggestions for every blend in the collection.
