How to Order Matcha in San Francisco: A First-Timer's Guide

San Francisco's matcha scene spans from traditional Japanese tea rooms in Japantown to modern cafés across the city. Whether you're new to matcha or simply unfamiliar with ordering in SF, this guide will help you navigate the options and terminology.

Understanding the Basics

What is matcha? Matcha is finely ground green tea powder, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Unlike steeped tea, you consume the entire leaf, which gives matcha its vibrant green color and concentrated flavor.

Common preparations:

• Usucha (thin tea): The standard ceremonial preparation, whisked with hot water
• Matcha latte: Matcha mixed with steamed milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• Iced matcha: Served cold, often shaken or blended over ice
• Matcha soft serve: Creamy ice cream infused with matcha powder

Grade Matters: Ceremonial vs. Culinary

Many SF cafés specify the grade of matcha they use. Here's what the terms mean:

Ceremonial grade is the highest quality matcha, made from the youngest tea leaves. It has a vibrant green color, smooth texture, and naturally sweet flavor. This is the type used in traditional tea ceremonies and typically served at specialty tea shops like Kissako Tea in Japantown.

Culinary grade is a lower-quality matcha suitable for cooking and flavoring. It has a more bitter taste and duller color. While it works fine in sweetened lattes, you'll notice the difference when drinking matcha straight.

In San Francisco, most dedicated matcha shops like Matcha Cafe Maiko use ceremonial grade for their drinks. If quality matters to you, ask which grade they use.

How to Order at Traditional Tea Shops

If you visit a traditional tea room like Kissako Tea, you might have the option to participate in or observe a tea ceremony. Here's what to expect:

1. Ask about the ceremony: Some shops offer abbreviated ceremonies or demonstrations. It's a great way to learn proper preparation and appreciate matcha's cultural significance.

2. Order the traditional preparation: Request "usucha" or "traditional matcha" if you want to experience it the authentic way—just matcha powder and hot water, whisked to a frothy consistency.

3. Take your time: Traditional matcha service is meant to be savored slowly. The tea is often served with a small sweet (wagashi) to balance the slight bitterness.

According to the Urasenke Foundation, a major school of Japanese tea ceremony, the traditional preparation method has been refined over 400 years to bring out matcha's best qualities[^1].

How to Order at Modern Cafés

At contemporary spots like Boba Guys Fillmore or trendy cafés across the city, ordering is more casual:

1. Choose your base: Decide if you want a latte (hot or iced), straight matcha, or a blended drink.

2. Specify milk preference: Most cafés offer dairy, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, and sometimes other options. Oat milk is particularly popular in SF for its creamy texture.

3. Sweetness level: Some shops ask your preferred sweetness (light, medium, full). If you're new to matcha, start with medium sweetness—matcha has a natural bitterness that takes getting used to.

4. Add-ons: Many cafés offer extras like boba pearls, vanilla syrup, or even strawberry matcha variations.

Neighborhood Recommendations

Japantown remains the heart of SF's traditional matcha scene. You'll find the most authentic preparations and highest-quality ceremonial grade matcha here.

Hayes Valley and Mission are known for innovative matcha drinks and Instagram-worthy presentations.

Chinatown offers unique tea shops like Red Blossom Tea Company, where you can purchase high-quality matcha powder to prepare at home.

Common Questions

"Is matcha caffeinated?" Yes. A typical matcha serving contains about 70mg of caffeine—less than coffee but more than regular green tea[^2].

"Why does matcha cost more?" Quality matcha requires specific growing conditions (shade-grown tea leaves), labor-intensive harvesting (hand-picked young leaves), and careful stone-grinding. Ceremonial grade can cost $30-50 per ounce at retail.

"Can I get it unsweetened?" Absolutely. Just ask for no sweetener. Traditional preparations are always unsweetened.

Your First Order

If you're visiting SF for the first time and want to try matcha, here's a simple approach:

• For tradition: Visit Kissako Tea in Japantown and order a traditional matcha (usucha) with a small sweet.
• For a café experience: Order an iced matcha latte with oat milk at any reputable café. Start with medium sweetness.
• For something fun: Try a matcha soft serve at Matcha Cafe Maiko—it's approachable and delicious.

The beauty of San Francisco's matcha scene is the range of experiences available. You can enjoy a centuries-old tea ceremony in the morning and a trendy strawberry matcha latte in the afternoon. Both are valid ways to appreciate this versatile ingredient.

Sources:

[^1]: Urasenke Foundation - "The Way of Tea: History and Philosophy" (urasenke.or.jp) [^2]: USDA National Nutrient Database - "Caffeine Content in Matcha Green Tea" (2024)