The world of Matcha lattes is a tricky one to navigate. Some people like their Matcha sweet, others prefer a strong powdery flavor, and others just can’t be bothered to wander past Starbucks and try something new. Over the past few weeks I, too, have been sticking to my usual “Green Tea Latte with Soy Milk” Starbucks order. So I decided to stop being lazy and scope out more Matcha latte goodness around Providence.
On one cold October morning, my trusty photographer and I downed five cups of hot Matcha, and below is a verdict on each one based on a list of criterion. Hopefully, one of the lattes will inspire you to (literally) walk the extra mile and treat your tastebuds!
NOTE: The lattes are ranked chronologically, not in order of preference.
1. Dave’s Coffee
FLAVOR: Light, delicate, and not overwhelming; tickles your tastebuds.
CONSISTENCY: Good, frothy foam top; the latte itself is much more liquid-y.
MILK VARIATIONS OFFERED AT COUNTER: Soy, skim, almond.
WARMTH: Scalding; warms you up after the cold walk down College Hill.
PRESENTATION: Pretty leaf pattern drawn into the foam!
VERDICT: A good choice for Matcha latte virgins who would like to get eased into the experience. The delicious gluten-free donuts available are a plus.
2. Benefit Juice Bar & Café
FLAVOR: A hearty mix of a sweet, vanilla-esque flavor and a stronger Matcha tang.
CONSISTENCY: Delectable thick vanilla foam; dense milk consistency that caresses your throat.
MILK VARIATIONS OFFERED AT COUNTER: Soy, almond, skim.
WARMTH: Not blistering, the perfect warmth for a windy autumn day.
PRESENTATION: Simple, no foam design, and a clear example of why one should never judge a book by its cover.
VERDICT: Absolutely delightful. Its intense yet sweet flavor makes it an excellent drink for Matcha latte connoisseurs looking for a yummy variation in Providence.
3. Coffee Exchange
FLAVOR: Particularly strong Matcha powder taste, and rather bitter.
CONSISTENCY: Extremely powdery, can feel the grains in your mouth; good foamy top.
MILK VARIATIONS OFFERED AT COUNTER: Soy, skim.
WARMTH: Pleasurable warmth, but doesn’t scald your tongue.
PRESENTATION: Simple, fluffy, looks like a dark green cappuccino.
VERDICT: A latte variation for veterans and Matcha powder aficionados who can handle the full-on taste of raw, unsweetened Matcha powder.
4. Malachi’s
FLAVOR: Very sweet, extremely vanilla-y, and slightly minty; peculiar flavor, but rich and enjoyable.
CONSISTENCY: Ideal consistency, as it is creamy but not excessively thick; top isn’t too foamy.
MILK VARIATIONS OFFERED AT COUNTER: Soy, skim, almond.
WARMTH: Fairly hot, but manageable.
PRESENTATION: No frills, a calming light green color.
VERDICT: Great for people who absolutely love sweet drinks, especially of the vanilla-flavored variety; also a good transition drink for Matcha latte virgins.
5. Tealuxe
FLAVOR: Evident, unmistakeable Matcha powder flavor that is nonetheless not too imposing; slightly sweet, but not overpoweringly saccharine.
CONSISTENCY: Quite liquid, not that creamy; feels delicate and smooth in your mouth.
MILK VARIATIONS OFFERED AT COUNTER: Soy, skim.
WARMTH: Incredibly hot, wait a few minutes for it to cool with the lid off.
PRESENTATION: Light, foamy top; significant bright green color.
VERDICT: Flavorful and light, this latte is perfect for people who would like something warm and sweet on a cold day, but who are undecided about what exactly it is they want.
For more on Matcha lattes, check out these links:
How to Make a 5-Minute Iced Matcha Latte
How to Make a Minty Matcha Iced Latte in 10 Minutes
The Matcha-Flavored Versions of These Foods Are Better Than the Originals