Matcha
has become increasingly popular among young people, particularly in urban
areas. This trend can be attributed to several factors and has noticeable
effects on both consumers and the food industry.
One
main reason for the rising popularity of matcha is its perceived health
benefits. Compared to coffee, matcha is often considered gentler on the
digestive system and less likely to cause problems such as acid reflux or
discomfort. In addition, matcha contains antioxidants and is known to provide a
calming effect due to caffeine content combined with natural compounds. Another
contributing factor is its versatility, as matcha can be used in a wide range
of products, including beverages, desserts, and even savoury dishes, which are
often visually appealing to young consumers.
As
the place of origin of matcha, Japan has produced many variations of high-quality
matcha-based products. I tried several matcha dishes during my trip to Japan
last year. Here are my favourite matcha items that are worth trying:
1.
Matcha Passport
This is my
favourite matcha latte. The taste suited my appetite well, and my husband like
it too. It was not too creamy, not too sweet, not too grassy. There was a
slight bitterness, but in just the right amount. Unfortunately, when I visited
the store in summer 2025, it was under renovation, so they temporarely moved to
another building a little farther from the main access.
 |
| Matcha Passport |
Matcha
Atelier has several branches across Japan. I tried it at the Kamakura station
branch. The matcha latte was quite creamy and sweet, but still well balanced
with the matcha flavour and not too grassy. This brand doesn’t only sell
beverages, they also offer matcha-based desserts such as ice cream. Unfortunately,
I haven’t had the chance to try those yet.
 |
| Atelier Matcha |
3.
The Matcha Tokyo
If
you want to try a strong matcha flavour, you should try The Matcha Tokyo. Honestly,
this matcha was not my type. The grassy and bitter taste lingered in my mouth as
an aftertaste. Maybe, I choose the wrong menu. I can’t quite remember what I
ordered.
 |
| The Matcha Tokyo |
4.
Nissan Crossing (Nissan Café)
Nissan
Crossing is Nissan’s brand-experience flagship located in Ginza, Tokyo. On the
ground floor, there is an exhibition of sophisticated cars showcasing Nissan’s
design and technology. On the upper floor, there is a café & lounge called
Nissan Café. One of the café’s special features is the ability to order a drink
with a printed image of various Nissan car models on the foam.
 |
| Nissan Crossing (Nissan Café) |
5.
Kamakura Cha Cha
Right
next to Kamakura Station, there is a small shop that specializes in matcha ice
cream. There offer many different matcha variants. I bought one, although I
can’t remember exactly which flavour it was. The queue was quite long, but it moved
quickly, so I didn’t have to wait too long to enjoy the ice cream. The Ice cream was soft,
with a well-balanced sweetness and matcha flavoure. I really enjoyed it.
 |
| Kamakura Cha Cha |
Those are all of my recommendations for matcha-based dishes. Each type of matcha is suited to different consumers. A matcha brand is suits my taste may not necessarily meet the expectations of others.
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