Discovering “What type of matcha does Coffee Bean use?” Has always intrigued me as an ardent tea enthusiast. Throughout my journey as a seasoned barista, I’ve sampled an array of Matcha beverages, from vibrant strawberry matcha to a rich matcha macchiato, and even delightful variants like ice mango matcha latte.
As summer sips turned to refreshing iced teas, my curiosity led me to deep dive into Coffee Bean’s unique tea ice offerings, and I was pleasantly surprised. Let me share my findings, from the matcha tea leaf® they source to the delicate matcha mix taste they’ve perfected.
Whether you’re vegan, a lover of blended coffee, or simply someone who appreciates the fine art of tea – this will be your new go-to read to learn about the different types of coffee beans and their unique flavors and properties.
What Type of Matcha Does Coffee Bean Use?
As a barista with over a decade of experience crafting matcha latte drinks and tea beverages on the espresso bar, I’m often asked what type of matcha Coffee Bean uses in their matcha tea latte and frozen matcha drinks.
After trying matcha, including strawberry matcha and mango matcha, from across the Asia Pacific, I can confidently break down the quality and sourcing behind Coffee Bean’s signature matcha latte powder blend.
The shop sources its matcha from the Nishio region in Japan, which is one of the leading matcha-growing regions. Nishio is renowned for its rich, umami matcha flavors thanks to the area’s climate, rainfall, and soil nutrition which all facilitate matcha tea growth.
Additionally, some might argue that Shizuoka, another renowned region, also has its unique charm, but the shop specifically chooses Nishio for its blend.
Specifically, the shop uses a blend of matcha grades that likely include:
- Ceremonial Matcha’s Grade – The highest premium grade, vibrant green with a robust, grassy matcha taste. Used for Japanese green tea ceremonies.
- Culinary Matcha’s Grade – A less expensive grade. Commonly used for matcha cookies and baking.
- Cafe Matcha’s Grade – A mid-tier grade ideal for preparing matcha beverages like matcha macchiato. Maintains good flavor at a reasonable price point.
By blending ceremonial, culinary, and café matcha’s grade, the shop manages to serve matcha lattes – a colorful drink and flavorful drinks. Their matcha has a smooth, vegetal taste without any harsh bitterness. If you’ve ever tried to make an iced matcha latte or make matcha ice blended® drink, this balance is crucial for taste.
Matcha Grading Explained
Not all matcha are created equal. Matcha, whether it’s matcha green tea powder or other types, is graded based on several factors like where the matcha tea plants are grown, harvesting methods, processing techniques, and even customer feedback.
Here’s an overview of the major matcha grades:
Ceremonial Grade
- From first flush leaves picked in spring
- Vibrant green color
- Umami, vegetal flavor
- Smooth, creamy texture
- No bitterness
- Used in Japanese tea ceremony
Culinary Grade
- Made from older, larger leaves
- Duller green hue
- More bitter, robust flavor
- Coarser texture
- Budget-friendly option
- Popular for cooking/baking
Cafe Grade
- Mid-range quality and price
- Good balance of color and flavor
- Ideal for lattes, sweets, etc.
- Not nuanced enough for ceremonies
Matcha Dust
- Powder from ground matcha stems/veins
- Very fine texture, almost gritty
- Cheapest of grades
- Used for smoothies, baking
Organic Matcha
- Grown without pesticides or chemicals
- Purer flavor and aroma
- More expensive than non-organic
- Preferred by health-conscious consumers
Understanding these key matcha grades and characteristics helps shed light on the likely blend used by the shop. Their matcha latte recipe strikes a balance between high-end ceremonial-grade matcha and everyday culinary-grade matcha.
Evaluating Coffee Bean’s Matcha Quality
So how does Coffee Bean’s matcha latte powder stack up compared to other options? Based on my tasting experience with my whisk and mug, here is my assessment:
| Color | Coffee Bean’s matcha is a medium green, lacking the vibrancy of top ceremonial grade but more vibrant than culinary grade. |
| Flavor | The flavor has pleasant vegetal and grassy notes but is not overly umami or sweet like high-end matcha for tea ceremonies. |
| Texture | Coffee Bean’s matcha is finely ground into a smooth powder that blends easily into lattes. However, it is not as creamy as traditional stone-ground matcha. |
| Price | Considering a small matcha latte costs $5-6, their matcha is certainly not cheap ceremonial grade quality but priced competitively for café grade. |
| Sourcing | Sourcing matcha from Japan provides assurance of authenticity and freshness. The Nishio region is renowned for quality tea. |
Overall, the shop offers solid mid-range matcha that makes a tasty latte at a fair price point. While not at the pinnacle of ceremonial grade, it delivers the classic grassy, creamy matcha flavor customers crave. The blend likely combines the better flavor and color of higher grades with the affordability of culinary grades.
Preparing Matcha Drinks Like a Pro
Now that we’ve explored the creamiest and milkiest coffee drinks, let’s dive into professional tips for preparing matcha green tea lattes and other milk-based coffee beverages, especially if you desire an iced matcha latte recipe.
From creamy lattes to frothy cappuccinos, we’ll cover how to make the milkiest coffee drinks at home. This is an iced matcha latte recipe:
- Use 1-2 tsp high-quality matcha powder mix per 8 oz drink.
- Sift matcha through a fine mesh strainer to prevent clumping.
- Add strained matcha to a cup and add 2-3 oz hot water. Whisk vigorously with a matcha whisk until frothy.
- Heat milk to 140-155°F using steam. Do not boil, as this will scald the matcha flavor.
- Pour frothed milk over matcha and mix to combine.
- For iced matcha, brew matcha concentrate then pour over ice and cold milk.
- Adapt amounts of matcha powder and milk based on your taste preferences.
- Sweeten with honey or sweetener to balance bitterness as desired.
With premium matcha and the proper preparation method, you can experience the full potential of matcha’s color, aroma, texture, and taste at home. Savor the experience!
Health Benefits of Matcha
Beyond its robust flavor, matcha offers potential wellness benefits:
- Excellent source of antioxidants to reduce inflammation and cell damage
- Boosts energy levels without the negative side effects of caffeine
- May support heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol
- Contains L-theanine amino acid linked to increased focus and calmness
- Packed with EGCG, a powerful catechin with anti-cancer effects
- Provides vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, chlorophyll and other micronutrients
Of course, the research is still developing, but the preliminary findings on matcha’s health properties and similar studies on coffee benefits for the brain are very promising. When buying matcha or coffee, opt for organic to maximize purity and nutrient content.
Potential Downsides of Matcha to Note
Despite its benefits, matcha has some downsides:
- Lead contamination risk – Matcha plants can absorb lead from the soil, so opt for Japanese organic matcha which has stricter testing.
- Caffeine content – Matcha has less caffeine than coffee but more than standard green tea. Those sensitive to caffeine should limit intake.
- Bitter taste – Lower-quality matcha often has a bitter, astringent flavor. Ensure proper sourcing and preparation.
- Cost – Ceremonial-grade matcha can be quite expensive. Café Grade offers better value for everyday drinking.
- Unwanted effects if overindulged – Too much matcha may cause nausea, diarrhea, or other side effects in some people. Moderation is key.
Drinking matcha as part of a varied, healthy diet is ideal. Pay attention to your body’s responses. High-grade Japanese matcha prepared correctly should not taste overly bitter.
FAQs
Does Coffee Bean use real matcha powder?
Yes, the shop uses authentic Japanese matcha sourced from the Nishio region, not low-grade powdered green tea leaves.
What grade of matcha does Coffee Bean use?
The shop likely uses a blend of café grade, ceremonial grade, and culinary grade matcha to balance flavor, color, and cost.
Is Coffee Bean’s matcha high quality?
Their matcha is good mid-range quality – smooth and flavorful, but not as nuanced as premium ceremonial-grade matcha.
Is the matcha at Coffee Bean caffeinated?
Yes, like all matcha, the shop’s matcha does contain caffeine. Expect around 35mg of caffeine per 1 tsp of matcha powder.
Can you buy Coffee Bean’s matcha powder?
Unfortunately, the shop does not currently sell bags of their proprietary matcha blend to take home.
By demystifying Coffee Bean’s sourcing and preparation, you can better enjoy your next iced matcha latte or matcha macchiato. While it might not reach the pinnacle like some Shizuoka powder and Vanilla powder with vanilla coffee types, its authentic Japanese matcha delivers a daily luxury.
For those with an inclination towards ice blended delights or the unique taste of mango syrup and milk that perfectly, the insight you gain here will elevate your beverage game.
Dive deeper into the world of coffee and tea by visiting lido18.com. This hub captures all the knowledge and heartfelt content shared about beverages. Indulge, learn, and savor.
