Trying matcha: How to start risk-free

The smartest way to try matcha is with a small, high-quality package, allowing you to discover risk-free whether matcha is for you before buying a large supply. A 30-gram bag of ceremonial matcha is ideal for this: at 1.5 to 2 grams per cup, it provides 15 to 20 cups, enough to truly get used to the taste and build a routine without a major investment. It is important to start with good quality right away, as cheap matcha is bitter and leaves a wrong first impression.

Introductory discount: use code UNMATCHED15 for 15% off your first order. This way, you can try the best matcha at an extra affordable price.

Ready to start? Order the 30-gram ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima and use code UNMATCHED15 for 15% off your first order. Free shipping on orders over €50.

Many people want to try matcha but hesitate. It is an investment, you don't know if you'll like the taste, and there is so much choice that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Does this sound familiar? In this article, you will read exactly how to try matcha risk-free, what quantity to start with, and what to look out for, ensuring your first introduction is a good one.

Why starting small is the smartest choice

Quick answer: Start with a small 30-gram package. It is large enough to truly get used to the taste and build a routine (15 to 20 cups), but small enough not to be a major investment if matcha turns out not to be for you.

The biggest mistake when making a first matcha purchase is buying too much. People buy a large bag because it seems more cost-effective per gram, only to find out they still need to learn to appreciate the taste or master the preparation. A small package removes that risk.

A 30-gram bag yields about 15 to 20 cups at 1.5 to 2 grams per cup, depending on how much powder you use. That is more than enough to drink matcha every day for a few weeks and discover if it suits you. Matcha is a flavor that often takes getting used to: the first cup might feel unusual, but after trying it a few times, you will detect the nuances you initially missed.

Why start with good quality immediately?

Quick answer: Cheap matcha tastes bitter and grassy and provides a wrong first impression. Those who try matcha for the first time with supermarket culinary grade often think that matcha simply doesn't taste good. Therefore, start with ceremonial quality.

This is the most important piece of advice in this entire article: do not try matcha with the cheapest bag. The reason so many people say they don't like matcha is that they have only tasted cheap, bitter culinary grade. Real ceremonial matcha from the first harvest tastes soft, slightly sweet, and umami-rich, without the sharp bitterness that scares beginners off. Read more about the difference between ceremonial and culinary matcha.

If you want to honestly try matcha, give it a fair chance with good quality. Otherwise, you are testing bad matcha, not matcha itself. You can read more about how to recognize quality in our guide on choosing the best matcha powder.

What does it cost to try matcha?

Quick answer: A 30-gram package of ceremonial matcha typically costs between 25 and 40 euros, which amounts to about 1.30 to 2 euros per cup. With the introductory discount UNMATCHED15 (15% off your first order), you can start even more affordably.

Trying matcha doesn't have to be an expensive gamble. Calculate it per cup: a 30-gram bag yields about 15 to 20 cups at 1.5 to 2 grams per cup. That comes down to a few euros per cup, less than a matcha latte in a café, which easily costs 5.50 to 6.50 euros. You can make the same or better quality at home for a fraction of the price.

For those who only want to try matcha, the 30-gram bag is the logical choice. If you like it, you can upgrade to the 50 or 100-gram bags, which are more cost-effective per gram.

Try it for an extra low price: with code UNMATCHED15 you get 15% off your first order. Free shipping on orders over €50.

What do you need to get started?

Quick answer: For your first cup of matcha, you need: ceremonial matcha, hot water between 70 and 80 degrees, and something to whisk with (a chasen or electric whisk). You don't need anything else to start.

You don't need to purchase a complete kit to try matcha. The minimum required to start:

• Ceremonial matcha: the foundation, start with a small 30-gram package

• Hot water: 70 to 80 degrees, never boiling, otherwise even good matcha becomes bitter

• Something to whisk with: a chasen (bamboo whisk) or an electric whisk for a creamy layer of foam

• Optional: oat milk for those who prefer starting with a latte

Do you want to expand later? Read our guide on the complete matcha set. And for the preparation: our explanation on how to prepare matcha step-by-step and the correct water temperature.

Your first cup of matcha: Tips for a good start

Quick answer: Sift 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha, add water between 70 and 80 degrees, whisk firmly until a layer of foam forms, and consider starting with a latte if the pure taste is still too intense. Give your palate a few times to get used to it.

A few practical tips to ensure your first introduction is a success:

• Start with a latte if you are in doubt: oat milk softens the umami profile and makes the introduction easier

• Do not use too much powder: 1.5 to 2 grams per cup is enough; more makes it overwhelming

• Sift the powder to prevent lumps

• Whisk firmly and long enough: this makes the taste softer and creamier

• Give it time: taste for a week or two before judging; the palate adjusts faster than you think

Does your first cup still taste bitter? That is usually due to water that is too hot or using too much powder. Read how to fix this in our article on bitter matcha, or start milder with matcha with oat milk.

After trying: How to continue

Do you like matcha? Then you can switch to the 50 or 100-gram bag, which is more cost-effective per gram. Make sure to store your matcha properly, as it is sensitive to light, air, and moisture. Read our tips on storing matcha. And do you want to know more about where your matcha comes from? Read about Kagoshima matcha and why that region has such a soft, accessible profile, ideal for beginners.

Do you want to dive deeper into the basics? Our complete beginner's guide takes you through it step-by-step.

Unmatched Matcha: the ideal start

Unmatched Matcha exclusively supplies first-harvest ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima, Japan: soft, umami-rich, and accessible. Exactly the quality that makes an initial introduction pleasant rather than disappointing. The 30-gram package is the ideal introduction: enough to get used to it, small enough to try risk-free.

Ready to try it? Order the 30-gram and use code UNMATCHED15 for 15% off your first order. Free shipping on orders over €50, usually delivered the next business day.

Frequently asked questions about trying matcha

What is the best way to try matcha?

With a small 30-gram package of good-quality ceremonial matcha. It is large enough to get used to the taste (15 to 20 cups) and small enough not to be a major investment. Start with good quality, because cheap matcha provides the wrong first impression.

Which matcha should you buy the first time?

Ceremonial matcha from the first harvest, preferably from a region with a mild profile such as Kagoshima. It has the least bitterness and is the most accessible for beginners. Avoid cheap culinary grade for drinking pure.

Is trying matcha expensive?

Not per cup. A 30-gram bag yields about 15 to 20 cups at 1.5 to 2 grams per cup, so just a few euros per cup. That is less than a matcha latte in a café. With code UNMATCHED15, you also get 15% off your first order.

How much matcha do I need to try it out?

A 30-gram bag is ideal for trying it out. At 1.5 to 2 grams per cup, you can make 15 to 20 cups with it, more than enough to try for a few weeks. If you continue, the 50-gram (25 to 33 cups) or 100-gram (50 to 66 cups) size is more cost-effective per cup.

What if I don't like matcha?

Give it some time: matcha is a flavor that often takes a few tries to get used to. Consider starting with an oat milk latte, which softens the profile. If it tastes bitter, that is often due to water that is too hot or lower quality, not the matcha itself.

The smartest way to try matcha is with a small package of ceremonial quality: large enough to get used to it, small enough to be risk-free. Start immediately with good quality from Kagoshima to ensure your first impression is the right one, and give your palate a few tries to adjust. Start with the 30-gram introductory package and use code UNMATCHED15 for 15% off your first order. Free shipping on orders over €50.