This writer loves matcha-flavoured drinks, desserts and chocolate (yes there is such a thing!). In this post I embark on a journey to test out some of the options available in NUS, whether it’s for a study session, a slow chat with friends, or simply something to sip on the way to class.
- Utown NTUC, Haus Brew Matcha Milk tea
I was excited when browsing through Fairprice Express in UTown for matcha drinks and spotted this in the refrigerated section. The design looks sleek, boasts ‘natural ingredients’ and claims to be ‘freshly brewed’. When looking at the ingredients list, there was a surprisingly short number, comprising only of matcha powder, non-dairy creamer, sugar ascorbic acid and maltodextrin.
I could see the pile of matcha at the bottom and made sure to shake it vigorously before trying a mouthful.
However, the tea failed to live up to its hype. The first sip comes off as very sweet, and there is a weirdly thin texture to the drink, almost like a watered down version of a “real” matcha latte. While the matcha flavour can be detected, it’s not strong enough to make up for the lack of creaminess and one-dimensional taste of this drink.
Price: $2
Verdict: 1.5 /5
Drink when you only have a $2 note left in your wallet and you must get a shot of matcha before expiring.
- Deck, Greet Tea
The Deck also has a version of matcha latte that might interest all of you who are in FASS for the day. Great Tea, located at the bottom section of the canteen next to the fruits stall, sells milk tea and assorted drinks with a small variety of toppings to choose from.
I spied their matcha latte, of which there’s only one version. I was not in the mood for pearls, so I chose chia seeds (one complimentary topping for each drink), but for purists there is certainly that option. The drink is made on the spot, as with most bubble tea shops.
On first taste, it was very milky and creamy. The matcha flavor came through slightly afterward. It was also rather sweet. Overall, it can be best described as matcha-flavoured milk. Quite refreshing on a hot day, however, at the parts where the ice melts first, the drink became diluted, and it tastes like drinking watery milk. Perhaps you may ask for less ice so it remains at a pleasant concentration of matcha goodness.
Price: $3.50
Verdict: 3.5/5
Not bad.
- Liho, Kyoto Matcha Latte
Liho is the ever-reliable store you can count on for a range of tea, coffee, and milk tea drinks. Among the variety they boast a Kyoto matcha latte, and as usual you can choose from 0% sugar to 100%. I opted for 30% and less ice. The result was a semi-satisfactory cup of matcha and milk mixture. The drink was not extremely cold (as expected because of less ice), so it was a little less refreshing. On first gulp, strangely, I thought it tasted a bit diluted. I attribute this to the fact that the milk is poured in first, and then matcha mixture on top, so it’d be a good idea to thoroughly mix the two parts together.
The more I drank, the stronger I felt the matcha powder came through. And perhaps because I chose 30%, the bitterness of pure matcha flavor revealed itself. I finished this cup in about 1.5hours while working at Yusof Ishak House and it was a solid study companion.
Price: $4.40
Verdict: 3/5
Good for milk lovers and who like to see layers in their drinks.
- UTown Starbucks, Matcha Latte
Of course, I can’t miss out the most well known matcha latte of them all. No hipster white paper cup sporting the mermaid logo this time, but its contents will still be familiar to diehard Starbucks fans. This is my go-to order at the chain coffee store, located in UTown, which is perennially (and predictably) filled with students plugged in to laptops, books, and phones.
I ordered a hot, tall-sized ‘pure’ matcha latte. I hadn’t had it in a while, but I suppose Starbucks matcha is consistent year-round. I could taste a decently strong matcha flavor and it was the right level of creamy while maintaining a liquid-enough consistency. It was also the only drink out of the lot which I finished in 10 minutes flat.
The only drawback being, it costs a pretty penny. At $6 for about 300ml, it’s not exactly budget friendly. Purchase at the risk of your bank account.
Price: $6
Verdict: 4.5/5
The original – for me at least. A trusty cuppa to get you through your workload.
Have any places to recommend to get the elusive, perfect, matcha latte? Email me at e0420696@u.nus.edu and I may just find a way to get another matcha post up!
