What Matcha Does Starbucks Use? | Learn Starbucks Matcha

Diving into the world of matcha at Starbucks opens up a fascinating story of flavor, tradition, and modern cafe culture. In our in-depth exploration titled “what matcha does Starbucks use,” we peel back the layers of this popular green tea powder that has taken the coffee giant’s menu by storm. This article is crafted with insights from culinary experts and tea aficionados alike, offering a comprehensive look into the specific type of matcha that Starbucks incorporates into its beloved beverages.

Matcha, a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, has been celebrated for its health benefits and unique taste. But what makes the Starbucks matcha experience so distinctive? We delve into the source, quality, and blend of matcha used by Starbucks, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how this global coffee leader selects its matcha and how it compares to traditional Japanese matcha.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a type of green tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It has been used for centuries in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Unlike regular green tea, matcha is made from leaves that are specifically shaded for 3-4 weeks before harvest. This shade growing causes the leaves to produce more chlorophyll and amino acids. The leaves are then harvested by hand, steamed, air dried, destemmed, and slowly ground into a fine, bright green powder. Authentic matcha has a vibrant green color, vegetal flavor, creamy texture, and stimulating dose of caffeine.

Why You Should Drink Authentic Matcha?

100% real matcha offers unique pleasures and benefits compared to mass-produced powders:

• Vibrant green color from high chlorophyll
• Smooth, creamy texture when whisked
• Grassy, vegetal, umami flavor with pleasant bitterness
• High caffeine level for alertness without jitters
• L-theanine for calm focus
• Detoxifying catechins and antioxidants
• Fresher and brighter taste from proper storage
• Connection to history from traditional growing and processing
• High-quality experience of sipping carefully prepared matcha

For matcha fans seeking the full experience of this treasured tea, authentic matcha is essential.

What Matcha Does Starbucks Use?

The matcha powder blended into Starbucks’ Matcha Green Tea Latte and other menu items is not real ceremnonial-grade matcha. It is an inexpensive powder made from lower-quality green tea leaves and mixed with sugar, powders, and natural flavors to create a sweet, green-colored drink. The powder likely comes from large tea farms seeking to meet Starbucks’ massive demand. Traditional Japanese matcha producers hand-pick and process leaves in small batches to create delicate, complex matcha. Starbucks sacrifices quality for affordability and consistency. While their matcha drinks have an appealing green color and sweetness, they lack the taste and health benefits of real matcha.

Starbucks Matcha Quality Issues

As a global coffee chain, Starbucks prioritizes consistency, affordability, and accessibility. They source ingredients like matcha in high volumes for widespread distribution. However, traditional, ceremonial-grade matcha requires more care and inputs. Factors like the climate, terrain, farming techniques, and processing greatly impact the flavor, color, and nutrition of matcha. Large companies struggle to replicate these artisanal, small batch methods. While Starbucks’ matcha drink has an enjoyable sweet and creamy flavor, it does not provide the complex experience of high-quality matcha.

Health Impacts of High Sugar Content

The high sugar content of Starbucks’ matcha drinks raises health concerns. The 25-35 grams of added sugar in a Grande matcha latte contributes to:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Chronic inflammation

For consumers seeking the advertised health benefits of matcha, the added sugars undermine those aims.

Price vs. Quality Starbucks Matcha

Part of the reason for Starbucks’ lower matcha quality lies in pricing. Traditional matcha can cost $15-30 for 30 grams of powder. Starbucks sells a 12 oz latte, requiring just 5 grams of powder, for $5-6. They likely pay less than $3/lb for powder, enabling mass production but not specialty grade quality. However, many feel the intense, complex flavor and vitality of ceremonial matcha is worth the higher cost.

Type of Matcha	Price	Characteristics
Starbucks	$3-6 per latte	Bright color, sweet taste, no bitter notes
Authentic, Ceremonial Grade	$15-30 for 30g powder	Vibrant green, smooth texture, grassy flavor, high in antioxidants and caffeine

Alternatives

For those unsatisfied with the quality and taste of Starbucks’ matcha drinks, there are alternatives:

• Buy single-origin matcha powder from reputable Japanese brands to make lattes at home.
• Visit local coffee shops known for preparing fresh matcha in more traditional ways.
• Learn how to properly prepare and enjoy high-grade matcha as aficionados have for centuries.

With some exploration, an authentic matcha experience is within reach.

Conclusion: What Matcha Does Starbucks Use

In conclusion, the matcha used by Starbucks provides a pleasant, sweet, green-colored drink but lacks the depth of flavor and quality found in traditional matcha. Their inexpensive matcha powder likely originates from large farms focused on high volumes. The added sugars and flavorings give a sweet, creamy latte but mask subtleties and health benefits. For those seeking a true matcha experience, single-origin powders steeped properly can provide the rich flavors and caffeine boost matcha is prized for. While convenient, Starbucks’ matcha drinks disappoint aficionados. However, knowing matcha’s origins and preparation allows anyone to savor its pleasures.