Does Matcha Have Sugar?

A Surprising Sip

You take your first sip of a vibrant green matcha latte at your favorite café, expecting earthy bitterness, and instead, it’s sweet and creamy. “Wait,” you wonder, “does matcha have sugar?”

This seemingly simple question opens a window into the world of Japanese tea culture, modern beverage trends, and how we experience sweetness across borders. Whether you're a matcha purist or a newcomer, understanding what’s in your cup deepens your appreciation and helps you make choices that suit your taste, health, and lifestyle.

What Is Matcha, Really?

Matcha (抹茶) is finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves called tencha (碾茶). Unlike steeped green tea, matcha is consumed whole leaf and all making it rich in antioxidants, especially catechins like EGCG, and naturally occurring caffeine.

Pure matcha powder is just that: 100% ground green tea leaves. No sugar, no additives.

So where does the sweetness come from?

Matcha Powder vs. Matcha Drinks: A Sugary Divide

Unsweetened Matcha Powder

When you buy authentic Japanese matcha (especially ceremonial grade), it typically contains zero added sugar. It tastes naturally grassy, slightly bitter, with a flavor profile prized in Japanese tea ceremonies (sadō 茶道) for its complexity and clarity.

This is the kind of matcha traditionally whisked with hot water using a bamboo whisk (chasen 茶筅), often served in handcrafted bowls (chawan 茶碗) that reflect the beauty of wabi-sabi aesthetics.

Prepared Matcha Drinks

Many matcha drinks found in cafés especially outside Japan are made with sweetened matcha powders, classic syrup, or flavored milk. For example, a matcha latte from a popular coffee chain may contain:

• Sweetened matcha blend (with sugar as a primary ingredient)
• Dairy or plant-based milk
• Additional syrups or flavorings

The result? A drink that may contain 20–30 grams of sugar or more comparable to a soft drink. While delicious, this is a very different experience from sipping pure matcha in a serene Kyoto teahouse.

Customizing Your Matcha: Sweetness Your Way

At Cafés

When ordering, ask if the matcha used is sweetened or unsweetened. Many baristas can prepare your drink with:

• Unsweetened matcha powder
• Alternative milk (some are naturally sweeter, like oat milk)
• No syrup or a reduced pump count of classic syrup
• Added sweeteners of your choice (e.g. honey, stevia)

A simple way to request: “Could I have my matcha latte with unsweetened matcha and no added syrup?” Or, “Can the sweetness be customized?”

At Home

Making matcha at home gives you full control. Start with pure, unsweetened matcha powder. You can then:

• Whisk with hot water (usucha 薄茶 style)
• Add steamed milk for a homemade latte
• Sweeten gently with a touch of honey or kokutō (黒糖, Okinawan black sugar) for a deeper, earthy sweetness

What’s In Your Cup? Matcha’s Nutritional Profile

Understanding what you’re drinking goes beyond sugar. Here’s a quick look at the nutritional content of matcha beverages:

As you can see, pure matcha is low in sugar and calories, but once it’s turned into a sweetened drink, the nutritional profile changes significantly.

Tradition Meets Taste: A Mindful Approach

In Japan, sweetness is appreciated with subtlety. Traditional matcha is often paired with a small seasonal sweet (wagashi 和菓子), balancing bitterness and sweetness with grace. The tea itself remains unsweetened, allowing its rich, vegetal flavor to shine.

This cultural approach invites us to rethink how we enjoy matcha not just as a trendy drink, but as a mindful ritual. Serving your matcha in an artisan-crafted ceramic bowl or cup can deepen this experience, turning a daily drink into a moment of connection with centuries of craftsmanship and tradition.

Ready to whisk up something beautiful? Explore our collection of handcrafted matcha bowls and cups to take your dining experience to the next level!

Final Sip: What You Need to Know

• Pure matcha powder contains no sugar. If you're buying high-quality matcha from Japan, it's almost always unsweetened.
• Many matcha beverages, especially lattes or bottled drinks, contain added sugar. Always check ingredients or ask your barista.
• You can customize sweetness. At cafés or at home, adjust sugar levels to your taste—just like Japanese tea traditions allow.
• Nutritional profiles vary. Prepared matcha drinks may have significantly more calories and carbohydrates than pure matcha.

So the next time you sip a matcha latte, you’ll know exactly what’s in your cup and how to make it your own.