Why Is Matcha So Sweet in Australia? What to Know Before Buying Matcha

In recent years, matcha has become increasingly popular in all over the world. What was once found mainly in Japanese grocery stores and tea shops can now be seen in ordinary supermarkets, cafés, and coffee chains everywhere. As someone who drinks matcha daily for both enjoyment and health, I am happy to see more people discovering it. However, there is one thing that often surprises me... Many “matcha” products are already heavily sweetened.

“No Sugar, Please” ..But It Was Still Extremely Sweet

A while ago, I wanted to try matcha latte in one of a local cafe in Sydney. I regularly drink traditional unsweetened matcha, so I specifically asked for it without sugar. When I took the first sip, I was shocked. It was incredibly sweet. I asked the barista whether sugar had been added by mistake. The answer surprised me even more, the matcha powder itself already contained sugar. In other words, even if no syrup is added, the base mix itself is often pre-sweetened.　

I understand why people add sugar or syrup to matcha. It can make it easier to drink, especially for beginners. When I was a child, my mother sometimes made iced matcha lattes for me on hot summer days, and I still have fond memories of them. However, many modern matcha drinks have become so overwhelmingly sweet that the delicate flavor of the matcha itself disappears completely. At that point, I cannot help but wonder whether it is no longer a healthy drink at all. I also began to wonder if many people outside Japan may be misunderstanding this kind of heavily sweetened beverage as “real matcha.”
Authentic matcha is not meant to taste like ice-cream. I wonder where's the balance of natural bitterness, umami, aroma, and depth of flavor.

Matcha Often Means a Sweet Beverage?

In Japan, traditional matcha is appreciated for its natural umami, slight bitterness, aroma, and depth of flavor. But in many Western markets, matcha is frequently treated more like a flavoring ingredient for desserts and sweet drinks. As a result, many products marketed as “matcha” contain, sugar, syrups, creamers, or flavorings. Sometimes the amount of sugar is surprisingly high. This is especially common in products labeled such as “Matcha Latte Mix”, “Sweetened Matcha”, or “Matcha Blend”. These are often very different from pure Japanese matcha.

This does not mean all Matcha is unhealthy, of course. In fact, health consciousness has been growing rapidly in recent years, and more unsweetened products are now available than before. Still, consumers often need to check labels carefully. If you buy matcha for health reasons, this is particularly important.

How to Choose Better Matcha

If you are looking for authentic matcha rather than a sugary mix, here are a few things to check

Look for:

• “Unsweetened”
• “100% Matcha”
• ingredients that list only matcha
• no added sugar or cane sugar
  

Be cautious with:

• Matcha Latte Mix
• Artificial flavorings
• Powdered creamers
• Products with long ingredient lists

A good-quality matcha should not need excessive sweetness.

Matcha Should Taste Like Matcha

I am genuinely happy that matcha has become popular around the world. At the same time, there is an important difference between authentic matcha and highly sweetened “matcha-flavored” products. For people interested in matcha for wellness, focus, or traditional tea culture, reading the ingredient label carefully can make a huge difference.

The real appeal of matcha is not intense sweetness. Of course, adding a small amount of sugar can make it more approachable and enjoyable, and there is nothing wrong with that. But authentic matcha should still allow you to experience its natural aroma, umami, gentle bitterness, and depth of flavor rather than masking it completely with excessive sweetness. Our matcha is different, 100% pure green tea powder for those who value health, simplicity, and authenticity.