Matcha can be a divisive drink. Here’s what our team thinks.

Some people swear by matcha and have it every morning. For others, it’s a special treat — or something to avoid at all costs.

Keep reading for our team’s thoughts on matcha, as well as their recommendations for preparing it.

Copyeditor Jill Campbell loves matcha and drinks it several times a week. She makes her matcha at home with water and almond milk and always drinks it hot.

“I prefer it unsweetened,” she says. “I’ll sometimes order a matcha latte in a coffee shop, but they’re usually sweeter than I’d like.”

Editor Heather Hobbs also loves matcha.

“I have a friend who prepares it really well, and though I can’t quite reach his level —or afford the matcha powder he buys — I do make decent matcha lattes at home,” she says.

She has a bamboo whisk but often uses a milk frother instead to save time.

Our matcha recommendations

Our team loves to drink matcha with either oat milk or almond milk.

It was also recommended to add flavors to your matcha with ingredients such as:

  • honey
  • vanilla extract
  • lavender
  • rose

For several members of our team, matcha has to be prepared in a specific way in order for them to enjoy it.

For newsletter editor Ginger Wojcik, matcha has to be prepared correctly, or else it isn’t a fun experience for her. She enjoys a strong matcha latte with oat milk.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve paid $8 for a matcha latte that doesn’t taste like matcha at all,” she says.

She also says that she enjoys the specific type of energy she gets from drinking matcha.

“It’s balanced and subtle, and I don’t crash from it the way I do with coffee,” she says. “All that said, I still prefer coffee over matcha 99% of the time.”

Managing editor Kenny Thapoung says some barriers prevent him from regularly drinking matcha — specifically, the cost of the matcha itself and the equipment.

However, he drinks it occasionally.

“If I do treat myself to it at a cafe, it’s usually served on ice with almond milk,” he says. “I never add extra sweeteners to my caffeinated beverages.”

Editor Samantha Costa drinks matcha while out and about but does not make it at home.

“I enjoy ordering matcha with oat milk and as a milk tea at boba tea shops,” she says. “In both cases, I prefer it cold with ice.”

Editor Ren Dias does not enjoy drinking matcha.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — I hate it!” she says. “It smells and tastes like fish. Big nope. Swing and a miss.”

She has tried matcha in lattes and had friends who regularly drink matcha make it for her. She has also tried both store-bought and homemade options.

“I simply can’t make it work for me,” she says.

Whether you love matcha or can’t stand the taste of it, you’re not alone! Some ways to improve the taste are adding sweeteners or flavors, like vanilla or honey. You could also try a higher-quality powder.

If you don’t drink matcha, be it for the taste or the cost, there are plenty of alternative options. These include chai and other coffee drinks.