Food pairings aren’t just for wine! Did you know that pairing matcha green tea with the right foods can add depth, highlight its flavors, and enhance the taste of what you’re eating? Matcha is known for its earthy, grassy, and umami-rich flavor profile, which pairs beautifully with a variety of foods.

Experimenting with matcha food pairings can be a fun way to explore different flavor profiles and discover unexpected combinations. From traditional Japanese treats to more savory options, we’ve curated a list of the best foods to enjoy with matcha!

So, grab a cup of matcha tea, settle in, and keep reading to find the best pairings to bring you the ultimate flavor combinations.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a type of finely ground green tea made from specially grown and processed tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha powder uses the whole tea leaf. This gives it a higher antioxidant and chlorophyll content. Enhancing both its taste and health benefits.

Originating from Japan, matcha has been a staple in tea ceremonies for centuries and is celebrated for its delicious flavor and powerful health benefits. Matcha contains a unique combination of caffeine and l-theanine, providing a calm, focused energy without the jitters often accompanied by coffee.

What does matcha taste like?

Matcha has a rich and complex flavor that is often described as being:

-          Earthy

-          Grassy

-          Vegetal

-          Bitter

-          Creamy

-          Smooth

-          Rich

-          Umami 

Matcha’s flavor profile helps it pair well with a variety of foods. Sweet foods, like chocolate or mochi, can enhance matcha’s subtle sweetness, while slightly salty or savory foods, such as rice crackers or mushrooms, help to balance its slight bitterness and bring out its umami taste.

Foods to pair with matcha

Traditional Japanese Pairings

In Japan, matcha is traditionally served alongside a snack or something sweet to help balance its rich umami flavor and subtle bitterness.

• Wagashi- These Japanese confectionary sweets are delicate and artfully crafted. Designed to complement matcha’s earthy notes, they can include favorites such as mochi (chewy rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste) or dorayaki (fluffy pancake-like cakes filled with azuki bean paste). The gentle sweetness of these treats contrasts perfectly with matcha’s rich flavor.

• Senbei- Senbei are rice crackers, sometimes seasoned with soy sauce or seaweed. Eating them alongside matcha enrichens the earthy, vegetal taste of the tea.

• Dried fruits and nuts- Traditional Japanese dried fruits, such as hoshigaki (dried persimmons) or candied chestnut, have a nice, subtle, sweet flavor paired with matcha’s slightly grassy notes. Black soybeans (kuromame) or roasted nuts can also pair well with matcha.

Pairing matcha with a more traditional Japanese food makes for an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy matcha in its more authentic form.

Sweet Matcha Pairings

Eating something sweet before drinking matcha can help to prime your palate- allowing you to taste more of matcha’s natural sweetness.

• Chocolate- Chocolate and matcha pair incredibly well together, whether you are snacking on white, milk, or dark chocolate, they pretty much all taste amazing together. Ready to combine the two? Try our hot chocolate matcha latte here. 

• Shortbread cookies- Since matcha has a strong, umami flavor, any mild or buttery cookie will contrast nicely without overpowering the tea. The rich butter also helps to enhance the tea's earthy, umami flavor. Try our matcha shortbread cookie!

• Fruit- You can’t go wrong pairing matcha with most fruits, especially citrus. Fruits like lemon, grapefruit, or yuzu. These bright, bold flavors provide a sharp contrast to matcha’s rich-earthy notes. Fruit offers a refreshing balance when paired with this tea.

• Ice cream- Anything creamy, such as ice cream, helps complement green tea's smooth, earthy, natural creaminess. Pairing matcha with ice cream gives you a decadent and indulgent combo. Making a matcha affogato is an easy way to test this combo out. 

• Baked goods- The bitterness of matcha helps balance the sweetness of most baked goods and desserts. You really can’t go wrong pairing matcha with a sweet treat or favorite baked good. 

Check out our other delicious matcha recipes here. 

Savory Matcha Pairings

Matcha is typically paired with sweet offerings, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t it doesn’t work alongside more savory foods as well.

• Avocados- Matcha is rich and creamy, so pairing it with avocado is a no-brainer. Try drinking a matcha latte alongside avocado toast sprinkled for the perfect matcha. 

• Mushrooms- Both matcha and mushrooms have a rich umami profile that complements each other well—mushrooms like porcini or shiitake that have a deep, earthy, almost sweet flavor work the best. Learn more about the health benefits of combining mushrooms and matcha here. 

• Sushi or onigiri (rice balls)- A light, umami-packed pairing for a wholesome and delicious snack.

• Miso soup- Matcha can sometimes have almost brothy notes, which complements miso’s complex fermented flavor profile. 

Bottom line: Match your matcha with your food

Pairing food with matcha can be a fun way to experiment with new flavors while adding depth and complexity to your matcha drinking experience. From chocolate to mushrooms, matcha is a versatile ingredient that complements many flavors. And remember, there’s no right way to pair matcha with food! Get creative and see what delights your taste buds.

Looking for a high-quality matcha to pair with your next meal? We’ve got you covered! Check out our selection of ceremonial-grade matcha powders, perfect for any occasion.

Disclaimer: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes.