MATCHA hasn’t always had a good reputation. Some people look down on the drink, saying that it tastes like grass, tinapa, or even moss, for some reason. 

But in the past few years, the tides have started to turn; it was found in one study, for example, that the global market for matcha is estimated to be valued at $2. 26 billion by 2025. 

Why the change? What is it that many people love about this form of green tea? Let’s find out.

Why people love it

For 33-year-old physician Victoria Chan, the appeal of matcha comes from her love of vegetables and tea; she finds herself gravitating towards earthy teas and the taste of matcha, as well. 

When going out, Chan is 90 percent likely to choose it over any other drink available. 

Krisha Natividad, a 21-year-old 3rd-year student at the University of Santo Tomas doesn’t dispute that it tastes like grass. It does, but in a good way. 

“A lot of people say it tastes like grass. They’re not totally wrong, but it’s delicious grass; it’s earthy and a bit bitter, but a pleasant kind of bitterness. Despite the earthy taste, it’s still light and goes well with milk,” she said. 

Sharing the sentiment is Arryela Jessy Magno, a 19-year-old 12th grader at the Trinity University of Asia.

Magno  proclaims herself to be a proud “damo lover” forever, saying that matcha will always be her go-to over drinks that are excessively sweet or carbonated.

“It’s the perfect mix between sweet and umami,” she said. “It’s suitable for those who like mild sweetness, or a ‘healthy’ grassy flavor. AKA me!”

Matcha’s health benefits

Aside from matcha’s unique, earthy taste, another reason people find themselves gravitating toward it is because of the numerous health benefits it offers. One of its biggest claims to fame, for example, is the fact that it’s high in antioxidants, which help to protect your body from diseases and cell damage.

Natividad’s affinity for matcha also stems from the fact that it doesn’t worsen her condition. Due to her acidity and tendency to have palpitations, she often chooses matcha over coffee to stay focused and alert.

“I prefer drinks that calm me  rather than boost my stress,” she said.

The drink has also been shown to enhance brain function, help lose weight, give healthy, glowing skin, promote cardiovascular health, and even prevent cancer! 

There are also claims that matcha’s a healthier alternative to coffee; it has less caffeine compared to coffee, but helps you to feel more alert for a longer period of time. 

While coffee has you crashing out of nowhere, matcha instead offers a steady stream of energy that’ll have you going all night long.

Where you can get it

Matcha is now offered at many cafes and restaurants all throughout the country. Here are some personal favorites:

1. The Rage Room

Aside from having a rage room where you can let all your anger out, the Rage Cafe inside the Rage Room also offers a kickin’ Matcha Latte. Some other drink options they offer are the Cafe Latte, Caramel Macchiato, Spanish Latte, and White Chocolate Mocha.

See Republicasia’s article on The Rage Room here.

2. Midnight Coffee

Here at Midnight Coffee, you can get its Signature Matcha Latte either hot or iced. It also offers a Dirty Matcha if you want to keep yourself up through your study sesh. 

Sometimes, the cafe offers promos on its matcha drinks, like when it took 15 percent off matcha drinks for its Midnight Matcha Monday back in March. 

See Republicasia’s article on Midnight Coffee here.

3. HEY BBK All Day Cafe

BBK offers a Matcha Latte that you can get either iced or cold. Other unique drinks it offers are the Bibingka Latte, Ube Latik, and Baguio Strawberry Milk Latte. 

See Republicasia’s article on BBK All Day Cafe here.

4. Odd Cafe

Odd Cafe has a number of green tea options on its list. The first is the classic Matcha Latte, served either iced or hot. Another is just the classic green tea, which you can get hot.

For more out-of-there choices, it also offers GMT, which is a mix of green apple, mint, and green tea. There’s also the Ditzy Mermaid, which blends together flavors of green tea, bubblegum, and–in their words–magic.

See Republicasia’s article on Odd Cafe here.

5. Coffee Project 

Known to be one of the most Instagram-worthy cafes in the world, Coffee Project’s matcha options include the Matcha Green Tea Latte and the Matcha Green Tea Frappe.

At present, it is also offering Harry Potter-themed drinks, like the Slytherin Matcha Frappe. Others on the list are the Gryffindor Mango-Berry Frappe, the Ravenclaw Latte Frappe, and the Hufflepuff Citrus Frappe.

See Republicasia’s article on Coffee Project here.