Matcha: Coffee’s earthy, no-drama sibling — different in personality, but both in the caffeine family. In fact, according to matcha.com, one cup of this green tea beverage can boost your energy with an average of 40 to 180 mg of caffeine, depending on your preferred blend.
What is matcha?
In short, it’s finely-ground Japanese green tea leaves turned into a powder. It’s traditionally used in ritualistic tea ceremonies, but has become popular around the world for everyday cooking recipes, ice cream, boba tea, and hot or iced lattes.
Six local matcha spots
Whether you’re new to the matcha craze or a green team superfan, we’re getting this guide started with six local cafes boasting noteworthy matcha drinks.
DI Coffee Bar, multiple locations | Named Tampa Magazine’s No. 1 Best Matcha Drink, this beloved spot serves solid green matcha with just enough milk. Plus, they just opened a new location in Seminole Heights.
Ritual Grounds, St. Pete | Crème brûlée on top of a matcha? It’s a thing, and their banana crème brûlée matcha is a must try.
Blooming Floral Cafe, Tampa | Tuck into the flower bedecked haven for a seasonal special like a cozy apple cinnamon caramel matcha served in a mason jar, plus a treat on a ditsy floral plate.
Stick around Blooming Floral cafe for the floral finds.
Photo via @bloomingfloralcafe
Daycation Coffee & Tea, St. Pete | This might be the cutest coffee shop on our list, for the sweet window drawings and plushie decor to specials like the Midnight Safari — a matcha made with a house orange syrup and spice blend, Earl Grey tea, and milk.
Paradeco Coffee Roasters, multiple locations | Coral, teal, and Art Deco deco decor aplenty greets you at this downtown St. Pete gem. But the drinks are the true stars, like the matcha — crafted with ceremonial grade matcha from Uji, Japan.
Lunar Coffee, Temple Terrace | Sip on inventive twists on the green-hued drink, like a strawberry or ube cloud matcha at this Hillsborough gem.
