Matcha- wha?! Two years ago I hadn’t heard of the green powder but now I’m hooked. I’ll have it in a brownie, in ice cream, even in a mean green juice… but it’s in the classic tea form that’s best.
Well, that’s a lie, the classic tea would just be with hot water like green tea, but I want my matcha with super frothy creamy milk and a little sweetness- a matcha latte!!! Oh yeah, I want some latte art on top too. No dairy please, almond or oat milk works best, soya is fine. Citizen Femme’s should have the highest expectations, right?
Given that matcha lattes are not quite mainstream yet, here are my top five places to get your smooth green detoxing caffeine fix.
Bluebird Tea
This wunderbar originally began as a marker stall in Brighton and is now tucked away in Islington at 26 Camden passage. The range of matcha flavours is immense and if you make them at home you will definitely went to buy a bamboo whisk. They even have an ice cream matcha flavour but I would keep it simple with the trad option. If you are feeling funky, ask for a banana bread matcha latte. These are the friendliest tea makers in all of London.
Address: 26 Camden Passage, Islington, N1 8ED
Tombo Japanese Cafe and Matcha Bar
Tombo Japanese Cafe and Matcha Bar has three outposts in Kensington, Soho and Fitzrovia. The matcha here is a precise blend of bitter and sweet. I buy a matcha brownie to go with my matcha latte because this is a match made in heaven (see what I did there!) You will definitely want to slam dunk the brownie into the tea.
Addresses: 29 Thurloe Pl, Kensington, London SW7 2HQ
4 Windmill St, W1T 2HZ
28 D’Arblay St, W1F 8EW
Amanzi Tea
I lived right by this place for years and I miss the area, for this tea shop! They brew the tea properly here at an exact temperature and the matcha lattes are delish. You choose whether you want it hot or iced. Try to get a spot outside or by the window, the people watching is excellent.
Address: 26 New Cavendish Street, Marylebone.
Sawyer and Gray
This most delectable gorgeous cafe is where I write my Citizen Femme articles. Their brunches are legendary and full of goodness greenery but I always start with a matcha latte as my amuse bouche. It’s just off the top end of Upper Street so you can hit up the shops (or pubs) afterwards.
Address: 290 St Paul’s Road, London, N1
Sapid Coffee
Don’t be fooled by the name, these guys know their matcha and their latte art is en pointe. The Stoke Newey one is as hipster as you like. The West Ken one can feel a bit transitional so I would head to the other one and take the opportunity to explore this historic up and coming artsy neighbourhood in North London. Take the overground to Stoke Newington station, it’s only 25 minutes from Oxford Circus. Post latte when you are feeling zingy, take a walk to beautiful Clissold Park nearby.
Addresses: 168 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0JL
175A North End Road, West Kensington
London, W14 9NL
Finally, it’s worth adding that when I’m on the go and nowhere near the above, I head to the nearest Eat where they actually do a pretty decent soya matcha latte. I’d avoid Starbucks, they over-sweeten it.
Any Questions or Tips to add?