From Instagrammable lattes to indulgent cheesecakes, matcha has colored the Filipino food scene a dozen shades of green. What started as a niche Japanese tradition has blossomed into a full-blown mainstream obsession embraced by everyone, from zen tea purists seeking mindful calm to dessert lovers craving a unique twist.
50 Shades of Green: Why Filipinos Are Into Matcha Now
Matcha’s rise in the Philippines is impossible to miss. Cafés across Metro Manila and beyond are serving up vibrant matcha creations that double as eye candy and delicious treats. But here’s the thing: not all matcha is the same. Some are meant for slow, quiet sipping, while others are perfect for mixing into brownies, ice cream, or lattes.
To truly enjoy the craze, you need to know your matcha grades, and what you want from each cup or slice.
Ceremonial Grade: The Purest Green Experience
Ceremonial grade matcha is the gold standard, literally the same used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Made from the youngest, tender tea leaves, it boasts a vivid emerald hue, a silky texture, and a naturally sweet, umami-rich flavor. This is the matcha you drink pure, whisked into hot water with no milk or sugar needed.
It’s perfect for quiet mornings, moments of mindfulness, and appreciating subtle complexity. Think of it like single-origin coffee or a fine wine: best savored on its own. In the Philippines, ceremonial matcha is popping up in specialty tea shops and comes with a pricier tag, but the payoff is a deep, calming flavor experience worth every peso.
Culinary Grade: The Fun, Flavor-Packed Side of Matcha
At the other end of the spectrum is culinary or “pang-sweets” matcha. Made from more mature tea leaves, it has a bolder, slightly bitter taste that pairs perfectly with sugar, milk, and butter. This is the matcha you’ll find in ice cream, brownies, pancakes, and even donuts.
Filipinos love culinary matcha because it adds a sophisticated twist to familiar sweets. Its bold flavor cuts through richness and balances sweetness, making it a favorite among pastry chefs and home bakers alike. And yes, it’s the star ingredient in that iced matcha latte you pick up during your afternoon coffee run.
The Matcha Fandom: More Than Just a Trend
Matcha in the Philippines isn’t just a drink; it’s a lifestyle. Enthusiasts gather in Facebook groups swapping latte art tips, share TikTok videos teaching perfect whisking techniques, and organize “matcha crawls,” hopping from café to café to sample the newest green tea treats.
