The Best Matcha for Beginners Available in Spain
If you are trying matcha for the first time in Spain, the available options range from excellent to misleading. Knowing how to start well makes the difference between a drink you will want to return to and one that puts you off entirely.
Start with ceremonial grade
The most common beginner mistake is starting with culinary grade because it is cheaper. Culinary grade is more bitter, less smooth, and designed to work alongside other flavours — not to be tasted on its own. Ceremonial grade is where the genuine experience is. Yes, it costs more. For a first purchase, spend the money to try it properly.
What to look for
- Origin: Japan, with a named region if possible (Yame, Wazuka, Uji, Nishio)
- Grade: ceremonial or premium ceremonial
- Ingredients: matcha only — nothing else
- Packaging: airtight tin, not a transparent bag
How to prepare it the first time
Do not start with a latte. Drink it straight — 1.5g of matcha whisked with 70ml of water at 70–80°C. This is how you taste what you have bought. If you start with milk and sweetener, you cannot assess the matcha quality. If you find it too intense, reduce to 1g and try again. Most people find their palate adjusts quickly.
What to expect
Good ceremonial matcha tastes smooth, slightly sweet, and vegetal, with a distinct umami character. It should not be aggressively bitter. If it is, the water was too hot, the powder is low quality, or both.
Where to buy in Spain
Speciality coffee shops in Madrid and Barcelona that source quality ingredients are a good starting point. Online retailers based in Europe specialising in Japanese tea offer the widest selection with the most product information.
