How Much Matcha Powder Per Cup? Usucha, Koicha & Lattes
How much matcha powder do you need to make one cup of matcha?
As a general guideline, 1.5–2g of matcha powder per cup is a good starting point.
However, the ideal amount varies depending on how you prepare your matcha, whether you are making usucha, koicha, or a matcha latte.
For matcha lattes, you will generally need more matcha than when drinking it straight. This is because milk softens the bitterness and aroma of matcha.
In this guide, we’ll explain how much matcha powder to use per cup for different types of matcha drinks.
How Much Matcha Powder Do You Need Per Cup?
Here is a quick guide to how much matcha powder to use for some of the most common matcha drinks.
| Preparation | Mactha | Hot Water | Milk / Other Liquid |
| Usucha | 1.5~2g | 60~80ml | - |
| Light Matcha Latte | 2g | 40~60ml | 150~200ml |
| Regular Matcha Latte | 3g | 40~60ml | 150~200ml |
| Strong Matcha Latte | 4g | 40~60ml | 150~200ml |
| Iced Matcha | 2g | 40~60ml | 150~200ml water + Ice |
| Iced Matcha Latte | 2~3g | 40~60ml | 150~200ml milk + Ice |
| Koicha | 3~4g | 30~50ml | - |
These amounts are intended as a general guide.
Even when using the same 3g of matcha, the final taste will vary depending on the amount of water or milk you add and the flavor profile of the matcha itself.
Start with the amounts above, then adjust the amount of matcha or liquid to suit your taste.
For Usucha, Use 1.5~2g Per Cup
For usucha, or thin matcha prepared with just hot water, 1.5~2g of matcha per cup is a good starting point.
Adding around 60–80ml of hot water allows you to enjoy the natural balance of umami, sweetness, and bitterness in the matcha.
If you are new to matcha or prefer a lighter taste, try starting with around 1.5g.
If you want a stronger matcha flavor, you can also reduce the amount of water slightly instead of simply adding more matcha powder.
If you want to enjoy the natural flavor of matcha, start with around 2g and adjust from there until you find the strength you prefer.
For Koicha, Use 3~4g
Koicha, or thick matcha, uses more matcha powder and less water than usucha.
A good starting point is 3~4g of matcha with around 30–40ml of hot water.
Unlike usucha, koicha is not whisked to create foam. Instead, the matcha and water are slowly mixed together with a bamboo whisk until the mixture becomes thick and smooth.
This preparation brings out the umami and aroma of the matcha much more intensely.
Because the flavor of the matcha itself is so prominent in koicha, it works particularly well with matcha that is rich in umami and natural sweetness, with relatively mild bitterness and astringency.
For a Matcha Latte, Use 2~4g
For a matcha latte, use around 2~4g of matcha per cup.
If you are using around 150–200ml of milk, the amount of matcha will change the strength of the latte:
- 2g: Mild matcha latte
- 3g: Balanced matcha and milk flavor
- 4g: Strong matcha flavor
Start by mixing the matcha with around 40–60ml of hot water, then add the milk.
Unlike matcha prepared with only water, milk softens the bitterness and aroma of matcha.
As a result, a matcha that tastes strong enough at 2g when prepared with water may need 3~4g in a latte for the matcha flavor to stand out.
For Iced Matcha & Iced Matcha Lattes, Use 2~3g
For iced matcha, start with around 2g of matcha. For an iced matcha latte, 2~3g is a good starting point.
As the ice melts, the drink gradually becomes more diluted.
If you prefer a stronger matcha latte or use a lot of ice, you can increase the amount of matcha to around 3~4g.
For an iced matcha latte, first mix the matcha thoroughly with around 40~60ml of hot water, then add ice and cold milk.
If you add sugar or syrup, the sweetness will also soften the bitterness of the matcha. If the matcha flavor becomes too mild, try increasing the amount of matcha slightly.
Does Ceremonial Grade Matcha Make a Better Matcha Latte?
Using expensive matcha does not always mean you will get a better matcha latte.
Different types of matcha have different flavor profiles.
High-quality matcha intended for drinking straight often has rich umami, natural sweetness, and mild bitterness. When prepared with only water, you can fully appreciate its delicate aroma and flavor.
A matcha latte, on the other hand, typically contains around 150–200ml of milk.
The richness and sweetness of the milk soften not only the bitterness of the matcha but also its delicate umami and aroma.
As a result, a matcha that tastes rich and flavorful at 2g when prepared with water may taste much less noticeable when the same 2g is used in a latte. In this case, you may need to increase the amount to 3–4g to bring out a stronger matcha flavor.
For Matcha Lattes and Matcha Cakes, Choose Matcha That Stands Up to Other Ingredients
When matcha is combined with milk, sugar, cream, flour, or other ingredients, the qualities you should look for are different from those of matcha intended to be enjoyed straight.
For lattes and baking, matcha with a fuller body and moderate bitterness works well because its flavor remains noticeable when combined with other ingredients.
In a matcha latte, for example, milk softens the bitterness of the matcha. Using matcha with some natural bitterness helps preserve its distinctive flavor even after milk is added.
The same applies to matcha cakes and cookies.
Because matcha is combined with ingredients such as sugar, butter, flour, and cream, a matcha with a stronger flavor can stand out better than one with a more delicate flavor profile.
When choosing matcha, rather than focusing only on the grade, consider how you plan to use it: whether you want to drink it straight or combine it with milk and other ingredients.
How Many Matcha Lattes Can You Make with 100g of Matcha?
The number of matcha lattes you can make from 100g of matcha depends on how many grams you use per cup.
| Matcha Per Cup | Matcha Lattes from 100g |
| 2g | 50 cups |
| 3g | 33 cups |
| 4g | 25 cups |
For example, if you use 3g of matcha per cup, you can make about 33 matcha lattes from 100g of matcha.
If you drink one cup a day, 100g will last for about one month.
If you use 2g for a lighter latte, you can make 50 cups. If you use 4g for a stronger latte, you can make 25 cups.
When buying matcha, consider not only the package size but also how many grams you normally use per cup. This makes it easier to estimate the actual cost per cup and how long the matcha will last.
FAQs About How Much Matcha to Use
Q1. Why Does My Matcha Taste Too Bitter?
If your matcha tastes too bitter, first check how much matcha you are using and the temperature of the water.
Using more matcha intensifies not only its umami and aroma but also its bitterness and astringency.
Water temperature also affects the flavor. Start with water at around 70–80°C and adjust from there according to your preference.
For a matcha latte, also check the ratio of matcha to milk.
Instead of simply adding more matcha, you can also reduce the amount of milk slightly to make the matcha flavor stronger.
Q2. Why Is My Matcha Clumpy?
Matcha is an extremely fine powder, so it can easily form clumps when it comes into contact with liquid.
Sift the matcha before preparing it, then mix it thoroughly with a small amount of hot water before adding the remaining water or milk. This helps create a smoother texture.
When using a bamboo whisk, use quick wrist movements rather than stirring the matcha around the bottom of the bowl.
For matcha lattes, you can also use a milk frother.
※ Add an internal link here to the article about preparing matcha with a NanoFoamer.
Q3. Do I Need a Bamboo Whisk to Make Matcha?
No, you do not necessarily need a bamboo whisk to make matcha.
A bamboo whisk is ideal for preparing traditional usucha, but for a matcha latte, you can also use a milk frother, electric frother, or shaker.
If you make matcha lattes regularly, choose whichever method is easiest and most convenient for you.
Whichever method you use, sifting the matcha first and thoroughly mixing it with a small amount of liquid can help prevent clumps.
Q4. Why Is My Matcha Watery Even When I Use More Powder?
If your matcha still looks watery and does not develop a fine, creamy foam even after adding more powder, the quality of the matcha may be one of the reasons.
The final texture depends on more than just the amount of matcha you use. The fineness and freshness of the powder, the amount and temperature of the water, and your whisking technique can all affect the result.
If you are using the recommended amount and water temperature but the foam remains coarse, disappears quickly, or the matcha still looks watery, try checking the matcha itself rather than simply adding more powder.
You can also try Matcha Lab’s Japanese Pure Matcha, which is designed for lattes and baking.
Finding the Right Amount of Matcha for Your Cup
The right amount of matcha per cup depends on how you prepare it.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Usucha: 1.5–2g
- Koicha: 3–4g
- Matcha latte: 2–4g
- Iced matcha: 2g
- Iced matcha latte: 2–3g
For iced drinks, the flavor becomes more diluted as the ice melts, so you can use slightly more matcha depending on your preference.
However, finding the right amount is not just about how you prepare your matcha. The flavor profile of the matcha itself also matters. Matcha with strong umami and sweetness and mild bitterness will taste different from matcha with more bitterness and a fuller body, even when you use the same amount.
When drinking matcha straight, you can enjoy its delicate umami and aroma on their own. For lattes and baking, matcha with a flavor that can stand up to other ingredients such as milk and sugar is often a better choice.
Start with the basic amounts above, then adjust gradually based on the flavor of your matcha and your personal preference until you find the right balance for your cup.