Matcha With Honey: How to Whisk, Sweeten and Pair It
Matcha with honey is a popular way to enjoy Japan's vivid green powdered tea. Matcha has a rich, grassy, umami flavor with a gentle bitterness, and a little honey rounds it out without hiding its character. Whether you whisk a traditional bowl or make a creamy latte, honey can make matcha more approachable. This article covers how to whisk matcha, how to make a honey matcha latte, iced versions, and which honeys pair best. For brewed green tea, see green tea with honey.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What matcha is
Matcha is made from tea leaves grown in shade for several weeks before harvest, which boosts chlorophyll and amino acids like L-theanine. The leaves are steamed, dried, destemmed and stone-ground into a fine powder.
Because you drink the whole leaf, matcha has a more intense flavor and more caffeine than brewed green tea. The NIH's NCCIH notes that green tea beverages are safe in moderate amounts.
Ceremonial versus culinary matcha
Ceremonial grade matcha is made from younger leaves, with a bright green color and smooth, sweet flavor, best for drinking straight. Culinary grade is a bit more bitter and less vivid, suited to lattes, baking and smoothies.
| Grade | Best use | Honey needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial | Whisked tea | Little or none |
| Premium latte | Lattes | A teaspoon |
| Culinary | Baking, smoothies | Varies by recipe |
How to whisk matcha
Sift one teaspoon of matcha into a wide bowl to remove clumps. Add about two ounces of water at around 175°F, not boiling. Whisk briskly in a zigzag motion with a bamboo whisk until a fine foam forms, about 20 to 30 seconds.
Add more water if you prefer a lighter drink, then stir in honey.
- Sift 1 teaspoon matcha
- Add 2 ounces water at 175°F
- Whisk in a zigzag until frothy
- Top up with water or milk
- Stir in honey to taste
Honey matcha latte
Whisk matcha with a little hot water as above. Heat and froth a cup of milk or oat milk, pour it over the matcha, and stir in a teaspoon of honey. Dust with a little extra matcha on top.
Honey dissolves best when stirred into the warm matcha base before adding milk.
Iced matcha with honey
Whisk matcha with a little warm water and honey until smooth. Pour over ice and top with cold milk or water. Shake in a jar for extra froth. Our article on honey iced tea has more cold drink ideas.
Which honey suits matcha
Mild honeys let matcha's grassy, umami flavor shine. Raw Clover Honey, harvested in New York State, is clean and gentle. Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, adds a floral, citrus lift that works well in iced matcha.
Strong honeys like buckwheat can clash with matcha's delicate notes.
Caffeine in matcha
A teaspoon of matcha typically contains around 60 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, though it varies. L-theanine in matcha may create a calmer feel than coffee for some people. Drink it earlier in the day if caffeine affects your sleep.
Baking with matcha and honey
Matcha and honey work in cookies, cakes, ice cream and energy bites. Matcha honey madeleines and matcha shortbread with a honey glaze are lovely. Our baking with honey guide explains how to swap honey for sugar.
Matcha honey smoothie
Blend a teaspoon of matcha with a frozen banana, a cup of milk, a handful of spinach and a teaspoon of honey. It makes a bright green breakfast. Our article on honey and banana has more ideas.
Storing matcha
Matcha is sensitive to light, air and heat. Keep it sealed in the fridge and use it within a few weeks of opening for the best color and flavor.
How much honey
Start with half a teaspoon and adjust. High-quality matcha needs very little sweetener. A teaspoon adds about 21 calories.
Safety notes
Matcha contains caffeine, so people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant people and children should limit it. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
The takeaway
Matcha with honey is a balanced, beautiful drink. Use water below boiling, whisk well, and add a mild honey to soften bitterness without hiding matcha's flavor.
Matcha with honey and vanilla
A drop of pure vanilla extract makes a honey matcha latte taste rounder and sweeter, so you can use less honey. Whisk the matcha with hot water, stir in honey and vanilla, then pour in frothed milk. Oat milk pairs especially well, since its natural sweetness complements matcha's grassy notes.
Common matcha mistakes
Boiling water scorches matcha and makes it bitter, so let the kettle cool for a few minutes. Skipping the sift leaves clumps that never fully dissolve. Using old, dull-colored matcha gives a flat, swampy taste. Adding honey to cold matcha means it will not dissolve well, so stir it into the warm base first.
Getting these basics right often means you need far less honey to make matcha taste good.
Matcha in Japanese tea culture
In the Japanese tea ceremony, matcha is prepared with careful, deliberate movements and served with a small sweet called wagashi. The sweet comes before the bitter tea, balancing the palate. Adding honey directly to matcha is a modern, Western habit, but it follows the same idea of pairing sweetness with matcha's depth.
Honey for your matcha
Pair your matcha with Raw Clover Honey or Raw Orange Blossom Honey. Save with a 3 or 6 jar pack, and orders over $50 ship free, in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Green Tea: Usefulness and Safety · NCCIH (National Institutes of Health)
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Frequently asked questions
- Can you put honey in matcha?
- Yes. A little honey softens matcha's bitterness.
- What temperature water for matcha?
- About 175°F, not boiling.
- How do I make a honey matcha latte?
- Whisk matcha with hot water and honey, then add frothed milk.
- Which honey goes best with matcha?
- Mild honeys like clover or orange blossom.
- How much caffeine is in matcha?
- Roughly 60 to 70 mg per teaspoon, though it varies.
- Can I make iced matcha with honey?
- Yes. Whisk matcha with warm water and honey, then pour over ice.
- How should I store matcha?
- Sealed in the fridge, used within a few weeks.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
