Starbucks Japan has just released a new seasonal favorite—a vibrant Matcha Green Tea Latte that promises to be a must-try for tea lovers. As the year winds down, the coffee giant wraps up a series of exciting releases with this stunning matcha-based drink, now available until January 14. Known for its creative and limited-edition offerings, Starbucks Japan has once again impressed with a visually striking beverage that lives up to its colorful appearance with delightful flavors.
The new matcha latte, introduced on December 13, features a bright green hue that immediately catches the eye. But beyond the visual appeal, what really stands out is the flavor balance, which combines the rich, grassy notes of matcha with the sweet touch of white mocha syrup. To make this seasonal drink even more appealing, we had our expert, K. Masami, test the drink and provide her recommendations for an ideal customization.
Masami opted for a few tweaks to elevate the taste, including ordering the drink in a glass, reducing the ice, and adding a scoop of mousse foam for extra creaminess. The foam, which costs an additional 50 yen (approximately $0.33), proved to be an excellent addition, enhancing both texture and flavor. The drink’s base cost is 500 yen, with the final price of 550 yen, plus tax.
While the white mocha syrup added sweetness to the matcha latte, Masami noted that the dark chocolate powder—added at the barista’s suggestion—was an inspired choice. The contrast of the bittersweet chocolate helped tone down the syrup’s sweetness and allowed the matcha’s naturally grassy, slightly bitter flavor to shine through. The result was a drink with deep, complex layers of flavor.
Masami’s customizations paid off, as the chocolate powder worked harmoniously with the mousse foam, creating a balanced drink that felt light yet satisfying. The choice to reduce the ice made the beverage even more enjoyable in colder weather, allowing the matcha flavors to remain consistent throughout.
This Matcha Green Tea Latte is a great option for green tea aficionados, offering a sophisticated yet accessible twist on the traditional matcha latte. Whether you like your drink more sweet or prefer a bolder matcha flavor, this limited-edition creation offers flexibility for customization. But hurry—this seasonal drink is only available until January 14, making it a must-try before it disappears!
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