Does Matcha Have Sugar? Everything You Need to Know
Matcha is often seen as a healthy alternative to coffee, but if you regularly order matcha lattes or buy flavoured matcha powders, you may have wondered: does matcha have sugar?
Pure matcha itself contains no added sugar. However, café matcha lattes, flavoured syrups and pre-mixed matcha powders can be a different story.
Here's what to look for if you want to enjoy matcha while keeping control of how much sugar goes into your drink.
Does Pure Matcha Have Sugar?
Pure matcha is simply finely ground green tea leaves. A high-quality matcha powder should not need any sugar or sweetener added to it. While the tea leaf naturally contains tiny amounts of carbohydrates, pure matcha contains no added sugar.
At Maison Matcha, our Original Matcha is made with ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Uji, Japan, with no added sugar.
Does a Matcha Latte Have Sugar?
It depends on how it's made. A simple matcha latte made with pure matcha, water and unsweetened milk can contain very little sugar beyond what naturally occurs in the milk.
However, many café matcha lattes are sweetened with:
- Sugar syrup
- Vanilla or flavoured syrups
- Honey
- Sweetened milk
- Pre-sweetened matcha powder
This means two matcha lattes can look almost identical while containing very different amounts of sugar. If you're ordering matcha at a café, it's worth asking whether the matcha powder itself is already sweetened.
Does Flavoured Matcha Contain Sugar?
Not always. Some flavoured matcha powders are blended with sugar or sweeteners, while others use flavour without adding sugar.
At Maison Matcha, our Strawberry, Vanilla and Caramel Matcha all begin with ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Uji, Japan and contain no added sugar. That means you can control the sweetness yourself rather than having it built into the powder.
Our Vanilla Matcha was also named Best Flavoured Matcha by Body+Soul, receiving a 9/10 rating.
Explore the full Maison Matcha collection
How to Tell If Matcha Has Added Sugar
The easiest way is to check the ingredient list. For pure matcha, the ingredient list should be very simple.
For flavoured matcha or latte mixes, look for ingredients such as:
- Sugar
- Cane sugar
- Glucose
- Syrups
- Sweeteners
- Sweetened milk powder
Also pay attention to the order of the ingredients. If sugar appears near the beginning of the list, it may make up a significant part of the product.
Is Matcha Good Without Sugar?
Yes. High-quality matcha should taste smooth and balanced, with natural umami, gentle vegetal notes and a subtle sweetness.
If your matcha tastes extremely bitter and only becomes enjoyable after adding a lot of syrup, the quality of the powder may be part of the problem. Premium ceremonial matcha is generally smoother and less bitter than lower-grade matcha intended mainly for cooking.
Related reading: Ceremonial vs Culinary Matcha: What's the Difference?
Why Making Matcha at Home Gives You More Control
One of the benefits of making matcha at home is knowing exactly what goes into your drink. You can choose your matcha, milk and sweetener — or skip added sweetener completely. For a simple latte, whisk approximately 2g of matcha with warm water, then add your favourite milk and serve hot or over ice.
If you want more flavour without adding syrup, a no-added-sugar flavoured matcha can be an easy alternative.
Related reading:
Why Choose Maison Matcha?
Every Maison Matcha blend starts with ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Uji, Japan.
Our Original, Strawberry, Vanilla and Caramel Matcha all contain no added sugar, so the flavour of the matcha remains at the centre of the drink and you can decide how sweet you want it.
Why Australians choose Maison Matcha
- Ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Uji, Japan
- No added sugar
- Smooth, vibrant flavour
- Original and naturally flavoured varieties
- Vanilla Matcha named Best Flavoured Matcha by Body+Soul
- Australia-wide delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does matcha contain sugar?
A: Pure matcha contains no added sugar. It is simply finely ground green tea leaves.
Q: Does a matcha latte contain sugar?
A: It can. Sugar may come from flavoured syrups, sweetened milk or pre-sweetened matcha powder.
Q: Does flavoured matcha have sugar?
A: Some flavoured matcha products do, but not all. Maison Matcha's Strawberry, Vanilla and Caramel varieties contain no added sugar.
Q: Can I drink matcha without sweetener?
A: Yes. High-quality matcha can be enjoyed unsweetened, either traditionally with water or with milk.
Q: What should I look for if I want matcha with no added sugar?
A: Check the ingredient list and look for a brand that clearly states whether sugar or sweeteners have been added.
The Bottom Line: Does Matcha Have Sugar?
Pure matcha itself contains no added sugar. The sugar often associated with matcha usually comes from what is added afterwards — such as syrups, sweetened milk or pre-mixed latte powders.
If you want more control over your drink, choose a high-quality matcha with no added sugar and add sweetness yourself only if you want it.
At Maison Matcha, every blend starts with ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Uji, Japan, and our Original, Strawberry, Vanilla and Caramel Matcha all contain no added sugar.