Matcha for Beginners: How to Get Started in 3 Steps

Reading time: approx. 6 minutes | Last updated: June 2026

Getting started with matcha is easier than it seems. You only need two things: good matcha and something to whisk it with. You can make your first cup in 3 minutes. This article will guide you through the three steps that make the difference between a great first experience and disappointment.

Ready to get started? Order the 30-gram introductory package from Unmatched Matcha. Ceremonial grade from Kagoshima, 15 cups, free shipping from €50. Delivered tomorrow.

Many people try matcha and find it bitter or unpleasant. This almost always has one cause: the wrong quality. Ceremonial matcha tastes smooth, umami-rich, and not bitter at all. Also, read why matcha is so different from coffee in terms of energy and focus if you are still doubting whether the switch is for you.

Quick answer: Choose ceremonial grade matcha from Kagoshima, buy an electric milk frother or chasen, and make your first cup with 2 grams of powder and 70 ml of 75-degree water. That's all.

Step 1: Choose the Right Matcha

Quick answer: For beginners, ceremonial grade matcha is the best choice. It tastes smoother, has more L-theanine, and provides the best first impression. Culinary grade is intended for baking and is too bitter to drink straight.

This is by far the most important step. Most people who find matcha 'not tasty' have tried culinary grade, the cheap variety intended for baking. That is comparable to drinking instant coffee granules when you are used to espresso.

Unmatched Matcha is first-harvest ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima, Japan: shaded for at least 20 days, stone-ground, no additives. Read why Kagoshima is the best region for matcha.

Step 2: What You Need

Quick answer: Minimum: matcha powder and an electric milk frother (€5-10). Optional but better: a chasen (bamboo whisk). No special bowl needed: a wide mug or small bowl at least 10 cm in diameter works fine.

Step 3: Your First Cup of Matcha in 3 Minutes

Quick answer: Sift 2 grams of matcha into a wide mug. Add 70 ml of 75-degree water (not boiling). Whisk for 30-60 seconds until frothy. Drink immediately. That's all.

Recipe: Basic Matcha (Usucha)

• 2 grams of Unmatched Matcha ceremonial powder (1 level teaspoon)

• 70-80 ml of 70-80 degree water, not boiling

• Sift the matcha before whisking for the smoothest texture

• Whisk for 30-60 seconds in a W-motion or with an electric frother

• Drink immediately while the foam is still present

Matcha Latte for beginners (easier to start)

• Whisk 2 grams of matcha in 50 ml of warm water (75 degrees)

• Add 150 ml of warm or cold oat milk or Oatly Barista

• Optional: a dash of honey or a little vanilla

• This masks the bitterness of lower qualities, but with Unmatched, you won't need this

The 3 Mistakes Beginners Make

Mistake 1: Water that is too hot

100-degree water makes matcha bitter. Always use 70-80 degree water. No thermometer? Let boiling water cool for 3-5 minutes or mix 3 parts hot water with 1 part cold water.

Mistake 2: Not whisking enough

Matcha clumps easily. Whisk vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Sift the matcha beforehand through a fine mesh strainer for the best texture. With Unmatched Matcha, the powder is ultra-finely ground, which greatly reduces clumping.

Mistake 3: Buying cheap matcha and being disappointed

This is the biggest pitfall. Culinary grade matcha from the supermarket tastes bitter and gives a bad first impression. Ceremonial matcha costs a bit more but tastes fundamentally different. The 30-gram package is the ideal introduction.

What to Expect from Your First Matcha?

Ceremonial matcha tastes different from what you might be used to. The taste is grassy, umami-rich, and slightly sweet, without bitterness. The first sip can be surprising: it is not tea as you know it. Give it three cups before you judge.

The energy also works differently than coffee. You do not feel a quick spike, but a gradual, stable focus lasting 4-6 hours. That is the L-theanine buffering the caffeine. You can read more about how that works in our article on matcha and stress: does L-theanine really work?.

Which Package Should You Choose as a Beginner?

For beginners, the 30-gram introductory package is the logical first step. 15 cups is enough to explore whether and how you want to drink matcha before investing more.

Matcha for Beginners in the Netherlands

Unmatched Matcha delivers the next working day throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Haarlem, Almere, Zaandam, Hoofddorp, Purmerend, Laren, Soest, Venlo, and Alphen aan den Rijn, you will receive your first package tomorrow. Order before 4:00 PM on a working day via the webshop. Free shipping from €50.

Frequently Asked Questions for Matcha Beginners

Which matcha is the best for beginners?

Ceremonial grade matcha from Kagoshima. Smooth taste, no bitterness, high L-theanine content. The 30-gram package from Unmatched Matcha is ideal as an introduction.

How do you make matcha as a beginner?

Sift 2 grams of matcha into a wide mug. Add 70 ml of 75-degree water. Whisk for 30-60 seconds with an electric frother or chasen. Drink immediately. That's all.

How much matcha do I need as a beginner?

Start with 1 cup per day (2 grams). A 30-gram package provides 15 cups, enough for two to three weeks to discover what it does for you.

Is matcha difficult to make?

No. With an electric milk frother (€5-10 at Action), you can make a good cup of matcha in 3 minutes. A chasen gives a better result but is not mandatory to start.

What if I find matcha bitter?

Bitterness in ceremonial matcha almost always has two causes: water that is too hot (never use boiling water, max 80 degrees) or the wrong quality (culinary grade). With Unmatched Matcha and the right water temperature, bitterness is not an issue.

Getting started with matcha is simple if you follow these three steps: choose ceremonial grade, buy a whisk, make your first cup with 75-degree water. The 30-gram introductory package from Unmatched Matcha is the perfect starting point. Ceremonial from Kagoshima, 15 cups, free shipping from €50. Delivered tomorrow.