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A Beginners' Guide to Matcha
A Beginner’s Guide to Matcha: What is Matcha and How Can You Use it in Chocolate & Bakery?
Matcha has been trending upwards in the UK for the last few years, but it’s exploded in 2025 thanks to social media and a rising interest in Asian culture (see also: KPop, K Dramas and C Dramas, and Asian skincare).
Known for its eye-catching, bright green colour, earthy flavour and abundance of health benefits, matcha has become the go-to choice for everything from drinks and ice cream to pastries and chocolate fillings. Ready to uncover the mystery of matcha’s popularity?
by Lyndsey Hall
10 October 2025
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a powdered green tea from Japan, unique for being shade-grown—which increases chlorophyll production, resulting in its deep green colour—and then ground before drinking, rather than steeping the dried leaves (like our beloved Yorkshire Tea). The tea leaves are called tencha, and once they’ve been picked, steamed, dried and ground (usually with a stone mill) they become matcha.
Matcha has been used for centuries in Japan, particularly in the ‘Chadō’ or matcha tea ceremony practiced by Buddhist monks. It contains high levels of antioxidants and L-Theanine, an amino acid that can promote a sense of calm and focus, and helps the caffeine in matcha release into the blood more slowly, giving a more sustained energy boost and less risk of crashing or jitters than you might get from a cup of coffee.
With its combination of health properties, uniquely sweet yet umami taste, and bold green colour that stands out on social media, it’s no wonder matcha is the flavour of the moment!
How to Prepare Your Matcha
Add 1-2 grams of matcha green tea powder to a bowl, pour 60-100ml of hot water on top and combine using a bamboo whisk. Add more water or milk to make a matcha tea or latte, or use either the mixture or powder in your confectionery or patisserie recipe. When making a matcha ganache, dissolve into hot cream instead of water to minimise water activity.
What Does Matcha Taste Like?
Matcha’s flavour profile includes fresh and grassy, vegetal notes, with hints of sweetness and bitterness, and an earthy, umami aroma.
It’s characteristic of green tea, but unique in its combination of notes, as well as the captivating green shade it gives to drinks, bakes and desserts. Its flavour can be complemented by a wide range of different flavours, from fruity to nutty, sweet to floral.
Flavour Pairings for Matcha
With its unique flavour profile and blend of aromas, matcha is a fantastic ingredient that will add umami depth and a subtle earthy, bitterness to your creations. There are so many possibilities when using matcha, but here are a few of our favourites:
Vanilla
You’ve probably seen a vanilla matcha latte on the menu at your favourite coffee shop, but it has to be tasted to be believed! Add a splash of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to your hot or cold matcha latte for a sweetened version of the classic drink.
White Chocolate
Matcha’s subtle earthy, bitterness pairs perfectly with creamy, sweet white chocolate, like Veliche Obsession 30 or Luker Nevado. Make indulgent white chocolate truffles and dust in matcha powder for a hit of umami.
Berries
Matcha’s earthy flavour tastes fantastic with fruity flavours like strawberry and blueberry; we love adding a scoop of fruit purée to our matcha lattes!
Nuts
The subtle sweetness and bitter notes in matcha green tea pair well with nuts like almond, walnut and pecan. Add matcha into your pastry dough and pipe in praliné for a decadent sweet treat.
Coconut
The umami undertones of matcha are beautifully complemented by the sweet, exotic taste of coconut. Make a matcha latte with coconut milk for a delicious rich and creamy drink, hot or cold!
Citrus
Matcha also pairs perfectly with the sharp, sweet and zesty flavour of citrus fruits. Try lemon or yuzu for a bright and refreshing take – a white chocolate and matcha mousse with a drizzle of Valrhona Yuzu Inspiration would be heavenly.
Botanicals
You can also match your matcha with herbs and botanicals such as rose, mint, lavender, and even honey. The floral aromas perfectly balance the earthiness of matcha green tea. Matcha sponge with raspberry jam and rose scented whipped cream would make a modern twist on the classic Victoria sponge!
Spices
Warming, aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon and turmeric are perfect for adding another layer of sweet, spiced flavour to a matcha tea or latte.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolates with fruity, nutty and bitter undertones, or floral hints, would taste incredible paired with matcha green tea. Nama choco or a chocolate truffle made with Veliche Sensation 72 or Cacao Barry Fleur de Cao would bring the floral, fruity notes that you need.
Matcha Recipe Inspiration
Ready to try making matcha-flavoured chocolates, bakes and drinks? We’ve got lots of ideas, or you could put your own twist on any of these:
Matcha & White Chocolate Mocha Latte
White Chocolate Matcha Cookies
Dark 70% Nama Choco – these would taste fantastic dusted with matcha powder instead of cocoa powder!
Whether you’re after an on-trend matcha latte or something truly unique, this multi-purpose powder stirs easily into recipes and delivers a gorgeous green hue without artificial colourants. Matcha’s subtle bitterness pairs beautifully with sweeter ingredients, adding balance and intrigue to your bakes and confections.
We love to see what you make with our products, tag us on social media @ keylinkltd in all your matcha creations!
Lyndsey is a marketing executive, writer and lover of books and chocolate from Sheffield.
Her favourite chocolate is Cacao Barry Lactee Superieure.
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