The Matcha Magic: How to Enjoy It Without the Bitter Taste!

Please note: I am not a nutritionist or medical professional. The information in this article is intended for general interest and educational purposes only.

If you've been anywhere near a health food shop, a wellness café or a mindfulness blog lately, you've almost certainly come across matcha. This vibrant, emerald-green powder has been popping up everywhere — from lattes and smoothies to face masks and energy balls. But what exactly is matcha, why is everyone talking about it, and — perhaps most importantly — how do you enjoy it without that notorious bitter taste?

I've been exploring matcha as part of my own wellness routine, and I've stumbled upon a little tip that has genuinely changed the game for me. More on that in a moment!

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What Is Matcha? A Brief History of This Remarkable Green Tea

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves known as Camellia sinensis. Unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves and then discard them, with matcha you are consuming the entire leaf in powdered form. This is one of the key reasons matcha is considered so nutritionally rich compared to standard brewed green tea.

The history of matcha stretches back over a thousand years. It originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), where tea leaves were steamed and formed into bricks for easy storage and trade. It was later ground into a fine powder and whisked with hot water — a practice that became central to Japanese Zen Buddhist culture from the 12th century onwards.

Japanese Buddhist monks prized matcha for its ability to support calm, focused alertness during long hours of meditation. This combination of relaxation and mental clarity is something that resonates deeply with me as a therapist working with the mind-body connection every day.

Today, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony — or chado — remains one of the most respected cultural practices in Japan, placing mindfulness, respect, and harmony at its very heart. In many ways, the ritual of preparing and drinking matcha is itself a mindfulness practice.

What Makes Matcha Different from Regular Green Tea?

Both matcha and regular green tea come from the same plant, but their growing and processing methods are very different — and this makes a significant difference to their properties.

Around three to four weeks before harvest, matcha tea plants are covered with shade cloths to block direct sunlight. This process, known as shading or tana, causes the plant to produce more chlorophyll (which gives matcha its distinctive vivid green colour) and more of an amino acid called L-theanine. After harvesting, the leaves are carefully steamed, dried and stone-ground into an ultra-fine powder. With regular green tea, you steep the leaves in hot water for a few minutes, extract some of the beneficial compounds, and then throw the leaves away. With matcha, you are ingesting the whole leaf — meaning you receive a much more concentrated dose of whatever goodness those leaves contain.

The Potential Benefits of Matcha Tea

Again, I want to be clear that I am sharing this information as a general wellness enthusiast, not as a health professional. The research around matcha is genuinely interesting, but please do seek professional guidance if you are looking to use matcha for specific health goals.

1. A Calm, Focused Energy — Without the Jitters

One of the most commonly reported benefits of matcha is the quality of the energy boost it provides. Many people find that matcha gives them a gentle, sustained lift — quite different from the sharp spike and subsequent crash often associated with coffee.

This is thought to be down to the combination of caffeine and L-theanine. L-theanine is an amino acid that is believed to promote a state of relaxed alertness. It is found naturally in tea leaves but in much higher concentrations in matcha due to the shading process. The idea is that L-theanine may take the edge off the stimulating effects of caffeine, resulting in a smoother, more balanced energy — sometimes described as "calm alertness."

As someone who works with the nervous system through hypnotherapy and NLP, I find the concept of a drink that may support both relaxation and focus genuinely fascinating.

2. Rich in Antioxidants

Matcha is widely celebrated as one of the most antioxidant-rich foods available. It is particularly high in a group of antioxidants called catechins, and one in particular — epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG — has been the subject of a great deal of scientific interest.

Antioxidants are compounds that help to neutralise free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which is associated with cellular damage and ageing. Including antioxidant-rich foods in your diet is widely considered to be a positive step for overall health and wellbeing.

3. May Support Mental Clarity and Focus

The L-theanine content in matcha has been linked in some studies to improvements in attention, focus and cognitive performance. Combined with caffeine, some research suggests this pairing may support working memory and reaction time. For anyone looking to support a focused, clear-headed state of mind — particularly during demanding work, study or creative projects — matcha is certainly worth exploring.

4. A Mindful Ritual

Beyond the specific compounds, there is something deeply grounding about making matcha. The traditional preparation — warming the bowl, sifting the powder, whisking with hot water in a deliberate "W" or "M" motion — is almost meditative in itself. Incorporating small rituals like this into your day is something I talk about regularly with my clients as a way of creating moments of presence and calm in a busy world.

5. Potential Support for Metabolism and Energy

Some research has explored whether matcha and green tea catechins may support a healthy metabolism, though the evidence in this area is still developing and results vary widely between individuals. As always, there are no magic bullets when it comes to health — but matcha can certainly form part of a balanced, nourishing lifestyle.

The Big Problem with Matcha: That Bitter Taste

Here is where a lot of people fall at the first hurdle. Matcha has a reputation for being bitter, grassy or even earthy in flavour — and while many enthusiasts grow to love this taste, it can be genuinely off-putting for those new to it.

The bitterness in matcha comes primarily from its high tannin content, as well as from caffeine. The quality of the matcha also makes a big difference — a high-quality ceremonial grade matcha, prepared correctly, should have a naturally sweet, umami-rich flavour with only gentle bitterness. Culinary grade matcha tends to be more bitter and is really designed for use in cooking and baking rather than drinking on its own.

Water temperature also plays a huge role. Matcha should never be prepared with boiling water, as this intensifies the bitter compounds dramatically. Water at around 70–80°C is ideal.

But even with the best quality matcha and perfect water temperature, some people still struggle with the taste. Which brings me to my little discovery...

My Matcha Game-Changer: The Matcha Shot with Fruit Juice

I have found an incredibly simple way to enjoy all the potential benefits of matcha with absolutely none of the bitterness — and it has become a firm favourite in my daily routine.

Here is what you do:

Take a quarter of a teaspoon of matcha powder and whisk it thoroughly with approximately one inch (roughly 25–30ml) of apple juice or orange juice. I use a mini milk frother whisk.

That's it!

The natural sweetness and acidity of the fruit juice completely transform the flavour of the matcha. The result is a smooth, pleasant, almost refreshing little shot that is easy to drink and — genuinely — rather delicious. The fruit juice cuts right through the bitterness and any grassy notes, leaving you with a vibrant green shot that you can knock back quickly and easily.

Why This Works

The natural sugars in apple or orange juice help to balance and mask the bitter tannins in the matcha. The acidity of the juice also helps to bring out more of the fresh, bright green tea flavour rather than the heavier, more astringent notes. And because you are using such a small amount of juice, you are not adding a significant quantity of sugar — just enough to make the matcha genuinely enjoyable.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

• Use a good quality matcha powder — ceremonial or high-grade culinary matcha will give the best flavour and colour.

• Whisk thoroughly to ensure the powder is fully dissolved and there are no clumps. A small bamboo whisk (chasen) is ideal, but a regular small whisk or even a milk frother will do a great job.

• Apple juice tends to give a slightly milder, more neutral flavour, while orange juice adds a citrusy brightness — both work beautifully.

• Make sure your juice is at room temperature or slightly chilled rather than very cold, as this helps the powder dissolve more easily.

• Drink it straight away for the best flavour and to ensure the matcha does not settle to the bottom.

How Does Matcha Fit Into a Holistic Wellbeing Routine?

As a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner, I am always thinking about the whole person — mind, body and lifestyle. Matcha, for me, is a lovely small addition to a mindful morning routine. There is something meaningful about choosing to start your day with something that is both nourishing and intentional. Whether you take five minutes to properly whisk your matcha in the traditional way, or simply shake up a quick matcha shot with a splash of apple juice before heading out the door, you are making a conscious choice to look after yourself.

Small, consistent habits like this — what we might call "micro-rituals" — can have a surprisingly powerful cumulative effect on mood, focus and overall sense of wellbeing. This is something I explore with many of my clients, particularly those working through stress, anxiety or confidence challenges.

Matcha also pairs beautifully with other mindfulness practices. A cup of matcha before a meditation session, a journalling practice, or even a few minutes of breathing exercises can help to create a grounded, centred start to the day.

Choosing Your Matcha: What to Look For

With so many matcha products on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few pointers — though again, for specific nutritional advice, please do consult a qualified professional.

Colour: Good quality matcha should be a vibrant, vivid green. Dull, yellowy or brownish matcha is a sign of lower quality or poor storage.

Origin: Japanese matcha, particularly from regions like Uji in Kyoto, Nishio in Aichi, or Yame in Fukuoka, is widely regarded as some of the finest in the world.

Grade: Ceremonial grade matcha is made from the youngest, most tender leaves and is intended for drinking. Culinary grade is better suited to baking and cooking. For a matcha shot like the one I describe above, ceremonial or a good ceremonial-culinary grade works best.

Packaging: Matcha is sensitive to light, heat and air, all of which degrade its quality quickly. Look for matcha sold in airtight, light-proof tins rather than bags or clear containers.

Price: Good quality ceremonial matcha does come at a price. If you find very cheap matcha, it is likely to be lower grade and more bitter. That said, you only need a small amount per serving, so a tin tends to last quite well.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

While matcha has many potential benefits, there are a few things worth being aware of:

Matcha does contain caffeine — typically around 30–70mg per teaspoon, depending on the grade and preparation. If you are sensitive to caffeine, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any cardiovascular concerns, it is worth checking with your GP or a qualified healthcare professional before making matcha a regular habit.

Matcha also contains vitamin K, which can interact with certain blood-thinning medications such as warfarin. Again, if you are on any medication, please seek professional advice.

Some people find that consuming large quantities of matcha can cause digestive discomfort or nausea, particularly on an empty stomach. Starting with a small amount — like the quarter-teaspoon shot described in this article — is a sensible approach.

And as I have said throughout this article, I am not a nutritionist or medical professional. Please treat this article as general interest reading and always seek qualified, personalised advice for your own health and wellbeing.

Final Thoughts: A Small Ritual with Potentially Big Benefits

Matcha is one of those wonderful things that sits at the intersection of ancient tradition and modern wellness culture. Whether you are drawn to it for its potential cognitive benefits, its antioxidant properties, its role as a coffee alternative, or simply as part of a more mindful morning ritual, it is well worth exploring.

And if the taste has been putting you off — please do try the quarter-teaspoon matcha shot with a splash of apple or orange juice. It has genuinely transformed my relationship with matcha, and I think it could do the same for you.

Here's to calm, focused, vibrant wellbeing — one little green shot at a time!

If you found this article interesting and would like to explore how hypnotherapy, NLP or PSYCH-K could support your overall wellbeing, stress levels, or mindset, please feel free to get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.

Disclaimer: This article is written for general informational and entertainment purposes only. I am a hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner and PSYCH-K facilitator, not a nutritionist, dietitian or medical doctor. Nothing in this article constitutes nutritional, dietary or medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, particularly if you have any health conditions or are taking medication.