The short answer
- Use water at 70-80 °C (158-176 °F), never boiling.
- Hotter water makes matcha taste bitter. Cooler water works, but tastes milder and takes longer to whisk.
- No thermometer? Let boiled water rest for a few minutes, or add a splash of cold water.
- For a latte, whisk the matcha in hot water first, then add milk warmed to about 60-65 °C.
If there is one thing I would ask you to change about how you make matcha, it is the water. Make it 70 to 80 °C (158 to 176 °F). Not boiling, and not straight from the kettle.
It is a small thing. But it decides whether your cup tastes smooth and sweet, or flat and bitter.
The right temperature for each drink
| Drink | Water | Matcha |
|---|---|---|
| Usucha (everyday bowl) | 70-80 ml at 70-80 °C | 2 g |
| Koicha (thick) | 30-40 ml at 70-80 °C | 3-4 g |
| Matcha latte | 60 ml at 70-80 °C, then milk at 60-65 °C | 2 g |
| Iced matcha | 60 ml cool or warm water, then ice and cold milk | 2 g |
In Fahrenheit, that is 158-176 °F for the water and 140-150 °F for the milk. For the amounts in more detail, see how much water and matcha to use.
Why hot water makes matcha bitter
Hotter water brings out more of the bitter, drying side of the tea. The sweet, savory taste, the umami, comes out much the same at any temperature. So the hotter the water, the more the cup tips toward bitter.
With matcha you drink the whole leaf, ground into powder. The water does not make it stronger or weaker. It only changes how it tastes. That is why one matcha can taste lovely one morning and harsh the next.
Boiling water will not ruin matcha. It just tastes clearly more bitter, and the bright green turns duller as it sits.
How to get 70-80 °C without a thermometer
You do not need a special kettle. Three ways that work:
- Wait. Boil the kettle, then leave it for 3-5 minutes with the lid open.
- Add cold water. Pour a splash of cold water into the just-boiled water before you use it.
- Pour it twice. Pour the boiled water into a cool cup, then into your bowl. Each pour takes off roughly 10 °C, and it warms the bowl too.
If your kettle has temperature settings, choose 75 or 80 °C, or 175 °F.
Can you use cold water?
Yes. Cold water works, and it is how many people make iced matcha. It takes a little longer to whisk smooth, and the taste is milder. If you want the full taste in an iced drink, whisk the matcha in a little warm water first, then pour it over ice and cold milk.
Matcha latte: two temperatures
For a matcha latte, the water and the milk are different:
- Water: whisk 2 g of matcha in 60 ml of water at 70-80 °C until it is smooth and foamy.
- Milk: warm 150-180 ml of milk to about 60-65 °C (140-150 °F). Steaming, never boiling. Hotter milk loses its foam and can taste cooked.
Always mix the matcha with water first, never straight into milk. Milk will not break up the clumps.
If your matcha still tastes bitter
The water is the first thing to check, but not the only one:
- Too much matcha. Two to three grams is totally fine. More is not better.
- Clumps. Sift the matcha before you add water, or the clumps will not whisk out.
- Old matcha. Once opened, matcha is best within 30-60 days. As it ages, it turns olive and tastes more bitter.
No whisk at home? You can still make matcha without a whisk. And for the whole method, step by step, see how to make matcha.
When the water is right, matcha is soft, sweet and green, and those few minutes waiting for the kettle become part of the ritual. Take them slowly.
Questions
Can you make matcha with boiling water?
You can, and it will not ruin the matcha, but it tastes clearly more bitter and the green dulls as it sits. Let the water cool for a few minutes first. It makes a real difference to the cup.
What happens if the water is too cold?
Nothing bad. Cold water takes longer to whisk smooth and the taste is milder. That is why cold water is fine for iced matcha.
Is the temperature different for a matcha latte?
The matcha is the same: whisk it in 60 ml of water at 70-80 °C. Then add milk warmed to about 60-65 °C (140-150 °F). Steaming, not boiling.
What temperature is 70-80 °C in Fahrenheit?
158-176 °F. If your kettle has settings, 175 °F is a good one to remember.
Does ceremonial matcha need a different temperature?
No. The same 70-80 °C suits every matcha. With a ceremonial matcha, I would stay nearer 70 °C, so you taste all of its sweetness.
