Adding Matcha to your Coffee Shop Menu

Are you a coffee shop or restaurant owner looking to add matcha (or other teas) to your menu? Searching for tea knowledge and recommendations? You're in the right spot!

Why Matcha is so important for your cafe

Matcha has become a popular option among consumers worldwide. Customers expect to see it on cafe menus, and are willing to pay good money for it. 

Adding it to your menu can make your place more enticing, instagrammable, inclusive and profitable. You can attract new audiences and, with a little bit of creativity, set your cafe apart in a crowded coffee space. 

The challenges

Workflow

If you've ever made matcha by hand, you'll know the process requires time and skill. As a tea lover, there is beauty in the process. But, as a cafe owner, it can disrupt your workflow if not properly integrated. 

There are different ways of making matcha. The most traditional way is whisking matcha with a bamboo whisk (chasen) and bowl (chawan). If you choose this route, your barista will need to whisk by hand, and make each bowl to order. This method is the most authentic to origin and will produce the best, foamy texture. It demonstrates commitment to quality, and customers can enjoy watching the whisking process.

Alternatively, if your priority is speed and quantity, you can pre-make matcha in batches so you're ready to go when rush hour arrives. The quality level may differ, but if you're not planning to serve matcha pure (i.e. you offer it as a latte or mixed tea drinks only), then this might be a better route for you.

Whichever method you choose, make sure to brew with 70 to 80°C water (158 to 176°F). You'll also need to consider storage conditions.

Chat with a tea expert for tailored guidance

Sourcing 

Ceremonial or Culinary? What's the difference?  

There are two grades of matcha: Ceremonial and culinary. Ceremonial is reserved for whisking by hand and drinking pure (in a tea ceremony). Culinary, as the name suggests, is intended for making lattes and other matcha drinks or baked goods. 

However, these terms are subjective and unregulated, so labeling standards vary. We've seen many matcha powders labeled as ceremonial that are inferior in quality to a well-made culinary matcha. So everything must be tested, both in pure form and in the finished drink. This matters more than the stated grade.

The pricing is also a big factor in your sourcing decision. Ceremonial grades often come with a higher price tag, and sometimes culinary is all that a cafe really needs. Ultimately, your decision depends on your business model and profit calculations.

Menu development

Menu development is both the fun and challenging part, requiring trial and error.

Do you want to serve your matcha pure, in lattes, or mixed with soda, tonic, lemonade or coconut water? Sweetened or unsweetened? We've seen all options successfully implemented in cafes, so it depends on your customer base and their taste preferences, as well as what ingredients are locally available.

Chat with a tea expert for tailored guidance

Beyond matcha, there are several tea options to consider for your menu. There are two we want to highlight. First, Hojicha: Favored for its toasty, nutty flavor and low caffeine content, it's been trending across social media. Since the beginning of 2025, monthly search results for "Hojicha" have increased by over 54%. If you don't already have it on your menu, we recommend testing it with your audience this year.

Sparkling tea is also buzzing. Especially in high-end restaurants as an alternative to wine pairing. It is rapidly growing as a sophisticated non-alcoholic beverage, appealing to Gen Z and health-conscious consumers seeking complex flavors beyond sodas. 

Where we come in

Chat with a tea expert for tailored guidance. We can help you with menu development, equipment selection, and barista training. Sign up for a free initial 30 minute consultation call, and we'll respond within 48 hours with our availability.

Further support

We're building a tea training course online for cafe and restaurant owners just like you. Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to hear when our coffee shop tea course is ready, and receive free cafe tips straight to your inbox.