This grassy, umami-flavoured drink is the talk of the town. You have probably seen people order a simple iced matcha latte — or the very popular strawberry matcha.
As demand for matcha has increased, the ways that it is served has also expanded. Matcha has caffeine, which, along with it’s complex flavours, makes it the perfect replacement coffee when served straight-up or in mixed drinks.
If you have friends who love matcha, they will most likely tell you Common Ground is the place to get something close to authentic. And more so now that they have included Usucha — ceremonial matcha tea from Kyoto — on their menu. For something familiar, yet different, the Earl Grey Matcha Latte is also worth a try — get a taste of two tea cultures colliding.
Keswick | 2727 182 St SW, Edmonton | @common_ground_yeg
Even non-matcha drinkers have left Boxcar wishing they had been introduced to their strawberry matcha sooner — each sip is filled with fresh strawberry puree. They also have seasonal matcha drinks — banana, mango and cherry flavour — so who knows what they what they will have for your next visit, but it sure will be delicious.
Calder | 11926 129 Ave NW, Edmonton | boxcarcoffeeshop.ca
Hiding inside Saints Church on 199 Street and 63 Avenue, Milk & Honey serves matcha by Jagsilk — knowledgeable tea millers, roasters and blenders based in Victoria, BC. They offer it as its most traditional form: sipping matcha. Or you could also have it as a latte (my favourite is with oat milk, it makes it extra creamy).
Glastonbury | 6315 199 St NW, Edmonton | @milkandhoney.gl
Boba Brew’s Vietnamese and Filipino roots really show in their offerings. You might have heard of dirty matchas but this coffee shop adds its own twist with their Viet Coffee Matcha Cloud — Vietnamese coffee topped with a creamy matcha cloud. Or, if you want to keep it more simple, try their specialty Matcha Milk Tea.
Eastgate Business Park | 4962A 98 Ave NW, Edmonton | bobabrew.ca
Boa & Hare’s signature is the strawberry matcha. So, do you have the signature, or do you try their strawberry matcha martini? Yes, they are putting matcha on everything, and we are not complaining.
McCauley | 127, 10520 97 St NW, Edmonton | boaandhare.ca
Gathr celebrated a grand opening on March 6 with free matcha and a calming, jazz atmosphere. Try their iced ube matcha. Don’t skip the photobooth.
CPR Irvine | 8132 102 St NW, Edmonton | @gathrcafe
Many matcha aficionados still argue that the highest-quality green tea powder comes from its country of origin, Japan. This guide, Meet Your Matcha, by Peter Chapman on Edify, discusses the history and fine details of preparing the drink at home.
