Matcha Powder vs Matcha Latte Mix: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever searched for matcha online, you’ve probably come across both matcha powder and matcha latte mix. They may look similar, but what’s actually inside the packet can be very different.
The simplest distinction is this: pure matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves, while a matcha latte mix combines matcha with other ingredients such as sugar, milk powder, sweeteners or flavouring.
That doesn’t necessarily make one better than the other — but it does mean it’s worth checking the ingredient list so you know exactly what you’re buying.
At Maison Matcha, matcha always comes first. Our Original Matcha is 100% matcha, while our Strawberry, Vanilla and Caramel blends contain 90% ceremonial-grade Uji matcha and 10% natural flavour, with no added sugar.
What Is Matcha Powder?
Traditional matcha powder is made from tea leaves that are grown, harvested and processed specifically for matcha before being finely stone-ground into a powder. Unlike steeped green tea, where the leaves are removed after brewing, with matcha you consume the powdered tea itself.
A pure matcha ingredient list should be very simple:
Ingredients: Matcha green tea powder.
Our Original Maison Matcha is made with 100% first-harvest Okumidori matcha sourced from Uji, Japan. It can be whisked traditionally with water or used to make a matcha latte by adding your preferred milk.
What Is a Matcha Latte Mix?
A matcha latte mix is a pre-blended product designed to make preparing a latte easier.
Depending on the brand, it may combine matcha with ingredients such as:
- Sugar
- Sweeteners
- Milk powder or creamer
- Flavourings
- Other powdered ingredients
The proportions can vary significantly from one product to another.
That’s why two products labelled “matcha latte” can taste completely different — and why checking the ingredient list is so important.
A latte mix can be convenient if you want something already sweetened and ready to combine with water or milk, but it may give you less control over the flavour and sweetness of your drink.
Matcha Powder vs Matcha Latte Mix at a Glance
| Matcha Powder | Matcha Latte Mix | |
| Main ingredient | Matcha | Varies by product |
| Added sugar | Usually none in pure matcha | May contain added sugar |
| Milk powder | No | May be included |
| Sweetness | You control it | Often pre-determined |
| Preparation | Whisk with water, then add milk if desired | Usually designed for quick latte preparation |
| Matcha flavour | More noticeable | Can be milder depending on the blend |
The most important thing is not necessarily what the front of the packaging says, but what appears on the ingredient list.
Is Flavoured Matcha the Same as a Matcha Latte Mix?
Not necessarily, and this is where things can get confusing. A flavoured matcha powder can still have matcha as its primary ingredient.
For example, Maison Matcha’s flavoured range contains: 90% ceremonial-grade Uji matcha + 10% natural flavour + no added sugar.
There is no milk powder or pre-added sugar, which means you still prepare it in the same way you would prepare regular matcha. The Strawberry, Vanilla or Caramel flavour simply adds a subtle twist to the matcha itself.
By comparison, a matcha latte mix may contain matcha alongside sugar, milk powder, creamer or other ingredients designed to create a finished latte-style drink.
The terms are sometimes used loosely, so again, the ingredient list tells you much more than the product name does.
Why Does the Percentage of Matcha Matter?
When buying flavoured matcha or a latte blend, it’s worth looking at how much of the product is actually matcha.
Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight, so the first few ingredients can give you a quick idea of what makes up most of the product.
If matcha is what you’re primarily looking to buy, you may prefer a product where matcha appears as the main ingredient rather than one where sugar or another ingredient comes first.
At Maison Matcha, we chose a 90% matcha to 10% natural flavour ratio for our flavoured range because we wanted the flavour to complement the tea rather than disguise it.
The result is flavoured matcha that still tastes like matcha.
What Should You Look for When Buying Matcha?
Before choosing a matcha powder, take a moment to look beyond the front of the packaging.
1. Check the ingredient list
Pure matcha should contain just matcha. For flavoured matcha, check what else has been added and whether matcha is still the primary ingredient.
2. Look at the origin
Where the tea was grown can tell you more about the product than words such as “premium” alone. Maison Matcha is sourced from Uji, Japan, a region with a long history of Japanese tea production.
3. Check for added sugar
If you prefer to control the sweetness of your latte yourself, look for matcha with no added sugar. You can then enjoy it unsweetened or add your preferred amount of honey, maple syrup or another sweetener.
4. Consider how you actually drink matcha
If you mostly make matcha lattes, you don’t necessarily need a pre-sweetened latte mix. A good-quality matcha powder can be whisked with water first and then combined with any milk you like.
Which Is Better: Matcha Powder or Matcha Latte Mix?
It depends on what you want.
A matcha latte mix can be convenient if you prefer a ready-made, pre-sweetened drink and don’t want to measure different ingredients.
A matcha powder gives you more control over the finished drink. You choose the milk, sweetness and strength yourself, and you can use the same powder for hot lattes, iced matcha or traditional preparation.
If the flavour of matcha itself matters to you, we recommend looking for a product where matcha remains the main ingredient.
What Makes Maison Matcha Different?
Maison Matcha was created around a simple idea: even flavoured matcha should still taste like matcha.
Our range includes:
Original Matcha
100% first-harvest Okumidori matcha from Uji, Japan.
Strawberry Matcha
90% ceremonial Uji matcha with 10% natural strawberry flavour.
Vanilla Matcha
90% ceremonial Uji matcha with 10% natural vanilla flavour.
Caramel Matcha
90% ceremonial Uji matcha with 10% natural caramel flavour.
Our flavoured matcha contains no added sugar, so you can decide exactly how sweet — or unsweetened — you want your latte to be.
Explore the Maison Matcha range
How to Make a Matcha Latte With Matcha Powder
You don’t need a premixed latte powder to make a creamy matcha latte at home.
Our favourite Maison Matcha ratio is:
3g matcha
30ml warm water
140ml milk of choice
Sift the matcha into a bowl, add the warm water and whisk until smooth and frothy.
Add your milk and enjoy warm, or pour over ice for an iced matcha latte.
If you prefer your matcha sweeter, simply add your favourite sweetener to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does matcha powder contain sugar?
A: Pure matcha powder does not contain added sugar. Always check the ingredient list, as matcha latte mixes and flavoured products can contain additional ingredients.
Maison Matcha Original contains 100% matcha, while our flavoured range contains 90% matcha and 10% natural flavour with no added sugar.
Q: Can I use normal matcha powder for a latte?
A: Yes. Matcha powder can be whisked with a small amount of warm water before adding milk to create a hot or iced matcha latte.
Q: Is flavoured matcha a latte mix?
A: Not always. A flavoured matcha can simply combine matcha with flavouring, while a latte mix may also contain sugar, milk powder, creamer or sweeteners. Checking the ingredient list is the easiest way to understand the difference.
Q: Do I need to add sugar to matcha?
A: No. Matcha can be enjoyed without added sugar. If you prefer a sweeter latte, you can add as much or as little sweetener as you like.
Q: What is the difference between matcha and matcha latte powder?
A: Matcha is powdered green tea. A product marketed as matcha latte powder is generally formulated specifically for making lattes and may contain additional ingredients alongside the matcha. The exact formulation varies by brand.