Page 2 | Is matcha tea just horrible? How do I make it taste nice?

Greedybilly · 2026-09-14T15:46:35+00:00

Just spent £8 on some matcha tea powder - interested in it's medicinal properties as have Long covid. The problem is - it's horrible! Smells of fish and tastes bitter - any tips to make it palatable b4 I go back to PG tips? Thanks

whippetwoman · 14/09/2026 20:03

We went to Japan and made our own matcha tea in a tea ceremony experience which was one of the most awkward things we have ever done. Honestly, it was SO quiet and awkward and I swear a part of me died inside. None of us liked it except my 13 year old who weirdly loved it.

BeanNaGealai · 14/09/2026 20:01

Takoneko · 14/09/2026 19:57

Tbh, it’s probably for the best if the matcha trend dies. The health benefits are massively overstated anyway.

It makes no sense to me that people who don’t actually like it are lacing it with all sorts of other things to make it palatable. If you don’t like it then just drink something else. The global matcha trend has actually been pretty bad for Japanese tea culture, making it far harder for tea growers to make their living from less fashionable teas like sencha.

As an aside, the term “ceremonial grade” is completely meaningless. It’s an unregulated western term that companies can put on any product they like. There is no “ceremonial grade” standard that it has to be produced to. IME the places serving the best matcha in London don’t use the term, whereas pret do.

Edited

I agree re the ceremonial grade thing. I asked my tea supplier who does a really nice culinary grade one and they told me it was just a marketing ploy used in the west to charge more.

And yes, I have a tea supplier😁

Takoneko · 14/09/2026 19:57

Tbh, it’s probably for the best if the matcha trend dies. The health benefits are massively overstated anyway.

It makes no sense to me that people who don’t actually like it are lacing it with all sorts of other things to make it palatable. If you don’t like it then just drink something else. The global matcha trend has actually been pretty bad for Japanese tea culture, making it far harder for tea growers to make their living from less fashionable teas like sencha.

As an aside, the term “ceremonial grade” is completely meaningless. It’s an unregulated western term that companies can put on any product they like. There is no “ceremonial grade” standard that it has to be produced to. IME the places serving the best matcha in London don’t use the term, whereas pret do.

Lordofmyflies · 14/09/2026 19:44

I think you need to bin it! Decent matcha shouldn't taste fishy and for ceremonial grade, decent matcha, you'll be paying more than £8. I drink Dirt-tea matcha with Lion's mane added in an attempt to stave off menopausal brain fog. Its delicious. I put a scoop in a glass and whisk with hot but not boiling water until smooth and the top with almond milk and ice. Its stopped me drinking so much coffee and I feel I have more constant energy levels.

aliceyyyy2654 · 14/09/2026 19:41

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 19:40

Ah, I see.
TBF it is a fad in the UK, I think, especially in its frothed-milk and flavoured forms.
But I only like it with frothed milk, so I am obviously into it in its fad form

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I’m similar, for me I can only drink matcha in an iced drink with syrup! It’s far too earthy for my liking.

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 19:40

aliceyyyy2654 · 14/09/2026 19:39

The poster I quoted said it’s a ‘fad’. That is offensive and the reason I commented. Liking it has nothing to do with it, for the record I don’t like the taste but I wouldn’t say a traditional cultural drink is a fad!

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Ah, I see.
TBF it is a fad in the UK, I think, especially in its frothed-milk and flavoured forms.
But I only like it with frothed milk, so I am obviously into it in its fad form

aliceyyyy2654 · 14/09/2026 19:39

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 19:37

That's hardly fair. 'traditional' doesn't mean you have to like it, or pretend to like it. I don't like it made 'traditionally' ie with water.

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The poster I quoted said it’s a ‘fad’. That is offensive and the reason I commented. Liking it has nothing to do with it, for the record I don’t like the taste but I wouldn’t say a traditional cultural drink is a fad!

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 19:37

aliceyyyy2654 · 14/09/2026 19:29

Matcha is a traditional drink. Just say you’re ignorant and have done with it.

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That's hardly fair. 'traditional' doesn't mean you have to like it, or pretend to like it. I don't like it made 'traditionally' ie with water.

aliceyyyy2654 · 14/09/2026 19:29

SerendipityCat · 14/09/2026 16:58

It can only be made palatable by throwing it forcefully in the bin and buying a box of decent teabags - Yorkshire for preference, Barry’s or Thompson’s are also acceptable.
Seriously, I’ve tried a couple of times to like matcha, but I suspect I’d get more flavour from brewing up a handful of grass cuttings. To me, it’s just another flavourless fad, like avocado.

Matcha is a traditional drink. Just say you’re ignorant and have done with it.

Changeisstillpossible · 14/09/2026 19:25

I don't know OP. It's just....not nice.

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 19:23

Jdot · 14/09/2026 19:10

What is it with people with horrible tasting drinks? Not just matcha. It's Red Bull, BuzzBalls etc. My friend's DD had some BuzzBalls and my friend who likes cocktails sampled the dregs and they said it's horrible

Shite like Red Bull is in no way comparable to matcha.

Jdot · 14/09/2026 19:10

What is it with people with horrible tasting drinks? Not just matcha. It's Red Bull, BuzzBalls etc. My friend's DD had some BuzzBalls and my friend who likes cocktails sampled the dregs and they said it's horrible

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 18:52

I think the mistake is making it with water (if indeed you are doing that, OP); it's much nicer with milk and, IMO, frothed hot milk.

BeanNaGealai · 14/09/2026 18:50

Greedybilly · 14/09/2026 18:19

Thanks for all comments but sadly I think it's going in the bin or maybe to my millennial neighbour x

But have you tried it with the correct temperature of water? It makes a huge difference to the taste.

SendTheNextOneIn · 14/09/2026 18:47

Greedybilly · 14/09/2026 18:19

Thanks for all comments but sadly I think it's going in the bin or maybe to my millennial neighbour x

If you lived near me I’d buy it from you. I love an iced matcha latte. I mix the powder with 60ml of water, froth it up then pour it over milk and ice.

Norwaygirl · 14/09/2026 18:43

It's vile, no health benefits can outweigh how grim it tastes. Stick with proper tea, Ringtons is the best but if you don't have a van delivery near you Yorkshire Tea is an acceptable second choice.

LydiaJayne · 14/09/2026 18:23

Ive so far managed to avoid the matcha hype but part of me does wonder if I'm missing out on some benefits and I want to like it but I'm put off trying it in case like you I find it revolting

Is it a total case of Emperors new clothes and all the influencers are bugging it up the money?

Original poster

Greedybilly · 14/09/2026 18:19

Thanks for all comments but sadly I think it's going in the bin or maybe to my millennial neighbour x

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OddBoots · 14/09/2026 17:58

Do you drink protein shakes? It works well in a vanilla one.

AlwaysExtraHot · 14/09/2026 17:55

I like it. But it's grassy and slightly bitter IME, not fishy!
I wouldn't drink it with just water. I make lattes with foamed heated plain oat milk. You can obviously use any milk, and sweetened/flavoured ones if you prefer.

BeanNaGealai · 14/09/2026 17:46

What temperature is the water you are using to make it? Anything over 80C makes it taste bitter.

Original poster

Greedybilly · 14/09/2026 17:44

@TamarindCottage- ihear you but the frugal part of me can't bear to chuck it!

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Original poster

Greedybilly · 14/09/2026 17:43

Hmmmm thanks for all comments I don't want to stick loads of syrup/flavour in but god it's awful.

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Greedybilly · 14/09/2026 17:42

@LomonaldHahaha

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Takoneko · 14/09/2026 17:24

I like matcha. Some bitterness is part of the flavour profile, but it shouldn’t be fishy. I like it as it is, well whisked with water that isn’t too hot, no sweeteners.

I also quite enjoy it poured over iced oat milk. If that fails, make a dessert with it. Matcha mille crepes and matcha tiramisu are great. Just be aware that there will be a lot of caffeine in there.