While coffee has long been the quintessential choice for caffeine-hungry college students, matcha has become a popular staple at cafes and coffee shops in college cities, including Boston. The green tea latte supplies caffeine enjoyers with feelings of energy and refreshment that last longer and require a lesser intake than coffee.
But with the wide variety of matcha beverages offered in Boston, which shop does it best? Or more importantly, which establishment satisfies the qualities that college students look for in their daily go-tos?
As a former barista and an avid matcha enjoyer, I rated the iced matcha lattes at four frequented cafes near Northeastern to figure out where students can find the best deal. The drinks are analyzed by convenience of location, price and overall taste with an emphasis on the matcha’s leafy green color, which indicates the amount of chlorophyll and antioxidants present in the powder, meaning a healthier and more flavorful latte.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe — Taste: 7/10, Price: 9/10, Location: 10/10
Perhaps the most student-frequented location, the Tatte Bakery & Cafe at Marino Recreation Center offered a pleasant surprise. A small iced matcha latte cost around $4.81 without sweetener and $5.35 with added vanilla syrup. At first glance, the sweetened latte had a dark, grass-colored hue that carried into a rich matcha flavor and a smooth taste. In contrast, the unsweetened matcha latte was less saturated in color with unmixed powder lingering in the cup.
For matcha enjoyers who prefer a more bitter taste, Tatte offers a delightful latte that has deep flavor and intense color. Tatte’s iced matcha latte is a strong contender, offering a full-bodied pick-me-up at a justifiable price and convenient location.
Pavement Coffeehouse — Taste: 5/10, Price: 5/10, Location: 8/10
A quick five-minute walk from campus, the Pavement Coffeehouse Symphony location served an overly sweet iced matcha latte. Made with a presweetened powder mix, which dilutes the matcha’s authentic flavor, the latte had a lighter green color and less intense taste. If you prefer a more flavorful matcha, this is a disappointing purchase considering its price of $6.25 for a regular 16-ounce drink and $7.25 with added vanilla syrup.
The premixed sugar and syrup in both lattes overpowered the overall flavor of the drink, but it remains a good option for those who might complain about matcha’s grassy taste and prefer a sweeter beverage.
Blank Street Coffee – Taste: 7/10, Price: 9/10, Location: 6/10
Blank Street Coffee on Boylston Street, the most recently established cafe out of the four, serves a bright green iced matcha latte with no sweetener for just $5.26. While patrons can add their choice of honey, raw sugar or stevia, the beverage on its own is not overwhelmed by the matcha concentrate and serves as a good foundation for signature Blank Street flavors such as blueberry, white chocolate and the new seasonal strawberry shortcake matcha latte.
This matcha latte felt the most refreshing and thoroughly mixed. However, the iced matcha at Blank Street might be a tough sell to those who prefer sweetened drinks, as the flavor in the original can be leafy and bitter. Across multiple visits, though, Blank Street tended to be consistent in flavor and a good choice for students who frequent the central branch of the Boston Public Library across the street.
Matcha Cafe Maiko – Taste: 9/10, Price: 4/10, Location: 7/10
Matcha Cafe Maiko, just a six-minute walk from Northeastern, stands out as the only spot on this list dedicated solely to matcha — and for good reason. Its lattes boast the best taste and quality around campus. With a vivid light green color and a deep matcha flavor, the iced matcha latte at Cafe Maiko is a rejuvenating beverage for all types of matcha enthusiasts.
The regular iced matcha is thoughtfully presweetened, creating a delightful complement to the slight bitterness of the matcha powder. However, for all of its advantages in taste and convenience, this cafe rates low in terms of price, coming in at $6.96 for its medium iced matcha latte. Compared to other establishments, Cafe Maiko had the most authentic matcha flavor, color and aroma, though its nearly-$7 price point remains unjustified.
For the average matcha enjoyer, Tatte is the strongest contender among these bustling establishments. If you’re looking for something on the go, Blank Street serves a decently sized 16-ounce iced matcha latte at a cheaper price with easily customizable flavors.
If you prefer a more personalized drink, try making matcha at home! With myriad resources across social media and online, it might be cheaper, tastier and more rewarding in the long run.
Making matcha is both an art and a science; while understanding the importance of temperature, whisking mechanics and high-grade powder is instrumental for a well-crafted drink, everyone has their own taste and ingredient preferences. Nonetheless, it’s worth giving these places a try and seeing what ranks first on your list.
