Cuisine Scene: Matcha

Matcha has gone mainstream. Every coffee shop worth its beans has at least one of the grassy green beverages on the menu, ranging from cool and refreshing concoctions topped with sweetened cream to comforting hot and foamy cups that replace coffee for many. Here are some great places around Long Beach where you can sample matcha and explore this versatile beverage’s various iterations.

CONFIDENTIAL COFFEE

Confidential Coffee (137 W 6th St) is a family-owned business in Downtown Long Beach serving both traditional coffee and espresso drinks as well as beverages with Mexican flavors, like Marzipan and Rompope lattes and Mexican hot chocolate made with Abuelita. Their seasonal Matcha Horchata is offered in the spring and features a matcha green tea base flavored with piloncillo sugar, cinnamon, and rice milk.

ALDER & SAGE

The baristas at Retro Row’s Alder & Sage (366 Cherry Ave) may be suspected of harboring a matcha obsession. Not only is there a matcha latte and matcha lemonade on the regular menu, but a seasonal beverage menu often featuring selections made with the aromatic green tea. The cocktail-inspired Shaken Mojito Matcha is an iced drink sweetened with mint and lime, and the Iced Matcha Dreamsicle is made with orange juice and white chocolate with matcha poured over to create a beautiful ombre creation.

TRUNG NGUYEN E-COFFEE

Trung Nguyen E-Coffee’s Long Beach shop (5710 E 7th St) is located near the Cal State Long Beach campus and serves coffee made with beans imported from Vietnam. Their menu is full of creative drink choices, including matcha lattes flavored with blueberries, ube, coconut, and more. But their bestselling is the Banana Matcha Latte, which starts with iced matcha tea and is topped with a thick sweetened banana cream.

BLACK RING COFFEE

Established in 2014, Black Ring Coffee (5373 Long Beach Blvd) is a small batch specialty coffee roaster with a shop in North Long Beach. Their Baby Yoda Latte blends ceremonial grade matcha with milk and mocha for a sweet and undeniably cute take on a matcha latte that can be served hot or iced.

STEREOSCOPE COFFEE

Stereoscope Coffee (4925 E 2nd St) partners with Mizuba Tea, a Japanese importer, to create special ceremonial grade matcha blends so you can explore various matcha flavor profiles–the Nakama matcha is described as full-bodied and comforting; Yorokobi is umami with a tart finish and silky texture; and Ujigawa is complex and refined. Have your matcha iced, with milk or not, or served as a matcha tonic over ice with sparkling tonic water and a dried orange slice. Or purchase a tin of Mizuba matcha to make your own at home.

ROSE PARK ROASTERS

Rose Park Roasters is known for their down-to-earth sensibility and high-quality locally roasted coffee. Each of their three locations (800 Pine Ave / 3044 E 4th St / 455 E Ocean Blvd) offers matcha lattes, both hot and iced. Try adding one of their house made syrups for an extra flavor spin, such as their popular maple lavender or caramel miso sweeteners. We recommend ordering the Mint Agave Matcha Latte, which is sweetened with the roaster’s mint agave syrup.

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.