The brand prides itself on its tea leaves that are grown in the cleanest environment possible, harvested only once a year for matcha that’s as pure and premium as it comes. Truly ceremonial grade.
I love everything about Japan. Well, almost.
While most people have been going ga-ga over matcha and all its permutations, I haven’t really warmed up to it yet. I don’t dislike it; I’m just not a fan.
So when I received an invite to the opening of The Matcha Tokyo’s fourth branch in Metro Manila at Ayala Malls Vertis North, I immediately said yes. Who knows? Its matcha might be the perfect match I’ve long been looking for.
Founded in 2018, The Matcha Tokyo is now a brand that has a strong presence and loyal following in four other countries outside Japan, namely the UAE, China, Thailand, and the Philippines. Its first Metro Manila branch opened on November 18 at the Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC through the Mistukoshi Group, Tasteless Food Group (The Grid, Scout’s Honor, Poison Doughnuts, Hanamaruken Ramen), and The Matcha Tokyo’s team from Japan.
The Matcha Tokyo CEOs and co-owners Masahiro Nagata and Maki Sotokawa flew in straight from Tokyo to Manila, zipping through the chaos of payday Friday EDSA, making it just in time for the branch’s opening last Friday, Sept 13. Amid a sea of media people and influencers, the owners showed nary a sign of fatigue as they enthusiastically entertained their guests, smiling for photos and answering questions.
Masahiro-san was so proud to share in an interview with The POST that his matcha is a cut above the rest because it is “100% organic and very high quality,” making it as pure and premium as it comes—truly worthy of the tag “ceremonial-grade.” The highest quality grade, ceremonial-grade matcha tends to be slightly more subtle and nuanced than culinary grade ones.
He continued by explaining how The Matcha Tokyo creates its own unique blends of matcha from meticulously selected tea leaves grown in the brand’s several farms in Kagoshima, but also in Uji City in Kyoto Prefecture as well as in Shizuoka Prefecture. “Pure water, clean nature, good soil, and ideal climate and temperature,” added Masahiro-san with a wide smile.
The tea leaves are carefully prepared in an isolated farm that uses clean water, fertile and pesticide-free soil, and carefully-selected tea leaves. The leaves are only harvested once a year by experienced Japanese farmers using only sustainable practices.
These precious tea leaves are then steamed, dried, and ground with a stone mill resulting in that recognizable bright green powder.
Apart from its distinct color, matcha is a superfood that is as nutritious as it is culturally significant, used in various traditional ceremonies in Japan, including weddings, funerals, and other special events.
Matcha contains catechin, which has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, making it excellent for anti-aging and beauty. It is also rich in vitamins that make skin glow. Plus, it’s great for your gut health as it is rich in dietary fiber. Matcha, indeed, makes you more beautiful inside and out!
It doesn’t end there. Matcha also contains theanine, an amino acid that has a relaxing effect on the brain, thus making it good for your daily mental health, as well as brain health, as theanine activates the brain, improving cognitive function and lessening tension.
No wonder Masahiro-san is mighty proud of matcha, especially his own!
“We are very happy to open our fourth branch here in Manila,” said Masahiro-san. “In Manila the people are very interested in matcha.” As we should!
Your newest matcha tita
Located in a quiet corner of the mall facing Seda Vertis North, we were welcomed by The Matcha Tokyo’s modern and inviting interiors, with large windows that let in an abundance of natural light, minimalist furnishings, and elegant merchandise (which make me want to buy them all). There’s also an open bar that gives customers an up-close look at how matcha tea is traditionally made, which is an art form in itself.
The shop is impressive, I have to say. But the more important questions are, will the matcha live up to the expectations? Will it finally make me a matcha lover?
I’m happy to report, dear readers, that after a taste of The Matcha Tokyo’s bestseller, its Matcha Latte which I had iced at P250 per order (also available hot at P220), I might just be your newest matcha tita. I loved its creamy texture and earthy notes, with that dash of umami that makes it an even more delightful drink.
You can have yours as a Matcha Soy Latte (hot/P260, iced/P290), Matcha Almond Latte (P220, P250), and Matcha Oat Latte (P260, P290).
I tagged my son along as my plus one (plus two if we were to count Peanut our dog because The Matcha Tokyo is pet friendly!), and he ordered the Matcha Salted Cream Latte, which is richer and more indulgent than what I had. It’s something that the younger ones nurturing a sweet tooth will enjoy.
We also tried the cheesecakes—Cookie Butter Basque Burnt Cheesecake and Matcha Red Bean Basque Burnt Cheesecake—both of which are as smooth and velvety as I hope they would be. Not too sweet, too, which suits my tita palate to a tee.
Other iced beverages on the menu are Matcha Espresso Latte (P205), Matcha Frozen Latte (P220), Matcha Chai Latte (P235), the roasted green tea Hojicha Latte (P210 for hot or iced), and the Matcha Latte Float (P290) with matcha soft serve ice-cream on top.
Then there’s the iced Matcha Spanish Latte, Tropical Matcha Fruit Soda, and Matcha Lemonade for P210 each, and a Matcha Frozen Lemonade (P205).
Love coffee (well, who doesn’t)? The Matcha Tokyo can give you your caffeine fix, too. It offers Americano (P140), Cafe Latte (P190), Cappuccino (P190), Cafe Mocha (P200), Spanish Latte (P195), Salted Cream Latte (P195), Espresso Soda (P220), and Coffee Frozen Latte (P210).
What took me by surprise is that The Matcha Tokyo also offers smoothies. On its menu are Matcha Banana Smoothie (P210), Matcha Protein with Milk (P350), Matcha Protein with Banana Smoothie (P350), Hojicha Protein with Milk (P350), and Hojicha Protein with Banana Smoothie (P350).
One thing to keep in mind when you visit a branch of The Matcha Tokyo is that all drinks can be customized. You can have the sweetness level adjusted depending on how sweet or bitter you want your matcha. It’s your choice of milk, too: dairy, oat, soy, or almond.
You can also choose from among three matcha types for your drinks. There’s the recommended “best blend” and umami-rich Japan Premium with a noticeable low bitterness, the more refreshing Kyoto Uji, and Goko, a rare hand-picked leaf with a “super strong umami taste.” They will set you back P190, P200, and P250, respectively.
Other treats to pair with your drinks are The Tokyo Matcha’s vegan Black Sesame Matcha Cookie (P175/piece) and plant-based, gluten-free, and sugar-free Brain or Beauty Matcha Energy Bars (P140/piece) made with chocolate, nuts, and/or acai berries.
Exclusive to the Vertis North and Opus Mall, Bridgetowne branches are the Matcha Carrot Lava Cake (P280), Matcha Panna Cotta (P280; which I regret not ordering), Hojicha Panna Cotta (P280), Matcha Red Bean Kakigori (P420), Hojicha Brownie Kakigori (420), Matcha Yuzu Parfait (P380), Hojicha Parfait (P380), Ube Ice Cream Cone (P220), and Matcha Cotton Candy (yep, we now have a matcha-flavored cotton candy here for P120!).
If you, like me, are crazy over Japanese soft-serve ice cream, there’s Matcha Soft Ice Cream, Strawberry Matcha Choux, Matcha Marble Cake, Matcha Milk Jam Croffle, Matcha French Flan, and Dorayaki (P150).
The Matcha Tokyo is planning to open three or four (even as much as seven!) more shops before the year ends. So here’s to hoping the next one opens somewhere near you!
The Matcha Tokyo Vertis North is located on the ground floor, facing Seda Vertis North, open every day from 11 am to 10 pm. The branch is pet-friendly.
