Sip on sumptuous summer flavours this season at Esquires with our new matcha menu! Our marvellous matcha drinks combine the great refreshing taste of matcha green tea with a range of sweet fruity twists.
New Matcha Flavours at Esquires
It’s certainly fair to say that matcha is having its moment in the UK, with more and more cafe and coffee shop franchise visitors reaching for this distinctly green dream.
Made with quality ceremonial-grade matcha powder and your favourite sweet treat flavours, here’s your chance to find your perfect matcha match!
Strawberry Cloud Matcha: A creamy blend of matcha and strawberry syrup, topped with vanilla cold foam over ice.
Caramelised Peach Matcha: Matcha with peach and rich caramel syrup served over ice.
Raspberry Lemonade Matcha: A fruity fusion of matcha, raspberry syrup and refreshing lemonade served over ice.
White Chocolate & Pistachio Matcha: Matcha blended with white chocolate and pistachio syrup served over ice.
Mango & Coconut Water Matcha: A smooth blend of matcha, mango syrup and refreshing coconut water served over ice.
Banana Bread Matcha: A banana bread-inspired blend combining matcha, banana syrup, toffee sauce, cinnamon and vanilla cold foam served over ice.
Whether you’re already a matcha enthusiast or fancy trying something new, there’s plenty to get excited about with our new iced matcha menu.
For more of our latest coffee shop releases, see our seasonal specials.
What is Matcha?
Not sold on matcha yet? Here are the basics.
Matcha is a form of green tea, traditionally grown and enjoyed in Japan. It stands out from other kinds of tea because it comes in powder form. Rather than being brewed from loose tea leaves that are later discarded, matcha powder is made from finely ground leaves that are whisked directly into water.
This means that when you drink matcha, you are consuming the whole leaf, a key reason as to why matcha is so prized for its health benefits and powerful caffeine kick.
What Does Matcha Taste Like?
Matcha has a bold, bright tea flavour that’s characterised by a distinctive grassiness and earthiness. Ceremonial grade matcha (largely understood in the West to be of higher quality) is often described as being slightly sweet with subtle vegetal and umami hints. Culinary grade matcha tends to have a more bitter profile.
Nowadays, especially outside of Japan, it’s also popular to flavour matcha drinks with different syrups that complement the natural taste of the tea.
Types of Matcha
The flavour of matcha can vary quite a bit depending on where and how it's grown. High-quality matcha (often termed ceremonial grade) is made from young, first-harvest leaves, which provide notes of sweet freshness without any bitter hints. Good quality matcha will also be vibrantly green in colour – more muted green tones tend to be a sign of later harvests, non-shade-grown leaves or poor storage.
The main types of matcha include:
- Ceremonial Grade: High quality, best for drinking.
- Daily Grade: Slightly lower quality, still good for drinking as an everyday option.
- Culinary Grade: Lower quality, best for baking and smoothie blends.
The Best Flavoured Matcha
If you’re new to matcha, a great place to begin is with flavoured matcha powder and syrup additions. The right flavour combination can blend beautifully with the natural ‘green’ taste of matcha.
What Flavours Go Well with Matcha?
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a flavour that matcha hasn’t been combined with at this point, but some definitely work better than others.
Fruity Flavours
Sweet, tart, tangy and zesty fruit flavours are classic additions to matcha as they nicely balance the tea’s earthiness while complementing its bright natural profile. Fruits that pair particularly well include:
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Peach
- Mango
- Lemon
- Yuzu
Creamy Flavours
Creamy dessert-like notes work well to soften the boldness of matcha. However, it’s often best to embrace slightly milder creamy flavours so you don’t muddy the brightness of the matcha itself. Things that work well include:
- White chocolate
- Vanilla
- Milk
- Oat milk
Sweet Flavours
For even sweeter dessert-inspired sips, sugary syrups and additions are a go-to. They also blend nicely with some of the other flavour profiles mentioned here for a multi-layered flavour experience.
- Caramel
- Maple Syrup
- Honey
Nutty Flavours
Roasted or nutty flavours are ideal for drawing out the earthy and umami hints in matcha. Tasty options include:
- Pistachio
- Coconut
- Hazelnut
- Black Sesame
Floral Flavours
For a delicate flavour combination, floral and botanical notes offer an intriguing alternative to fruity pairings, elevating your usual matcha latte.
- Lavender
- Jasmine
- Rose
- Elderflower
- Earl Grey
Spiced Flavours
For a warming flavour profile that blends well with matcha’s earthy hints, you may also consider different spices. These can add a richness and depth without overwhelming the refreshing matcha taste.
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
Whether you’re adding syrups to your matcha or are baking with it, these flavour combos are some of the most widely enjoyed and are well worth exploring.
Ready to find your perfect matcha pairing? Visit your local Esquires store this summer to delve into all the best flavours!
