- "Blue matcha" is not real matcha: it's butterfly pea flower powder.
- Made from a flower rather than the tea plant, it's an herbal infusion, naturally caffeine-free.
- A very mild floral taste; it turns purple with a few drops of lemon.
- Rich in zinc, but without the composition or the benefits of Japanese matcha.
- Since the term "matcha" is not regulated outside Japan, beware of fake matcha.
With matcha having gained popularity in the West and on social media for its beautiful vibrant green color, variations on traditional matcha quickly emerged. Among them, blue matcha—often referred to as "blue matcha"—an indigo-blue powder, quickly attracted attention for its surprising and very "Instagrammable" color.
But can we really talk about a new variety of matcha tea?
What is blue matcha? Is it really matcha tea?
Blue matcha is a powder made from dried, ground butterfly pea flowers. Also known as "clitoria ternatea", or "blue pea", it is a plant native to Thailand, easily recognizable by its blue petals. Since this flower does not come from the tea plant, it is an herbal infusion, not a tea.
So it is by no means matcha in the true sense of the word, but simply a misuse of the term! Indeed, matcha is a green tea powder obtained after shading the tea plants, whose leaves stripped of stems and veins are then finely ground on a stone mill. True matcha always has a green color, more or less vibrant depending on its quality.
This flower powder is called "blue matcha" because, like matcha with its pretty green color, it is used as a natural food coloring, for example in smoothies, lattes, pastries, cosmetics, and even certain recipes, such as blue rice in Malaysia!
Versatile, it takes just a few drops of lemon, and like magic: the pH change turns the drink purple, making it an interesting ingredient for surprising cocktails!
What does blue matcha taste like?
Blue matcha has a very mild taste, with floral and vegetal aromas offering a delicate flavor on the palate.
A flavor profile very different from matcha, which boasts a beautiful umami flavor and herbaceous notes with a pronounced freshness.
Does "blue matcha" contain caffeine?
Since blue matcha comes not from the tea plant or the coffee plant but from a flower, it is naturally caffeine-free.
Blue matcha therefore does not provide the stimulating yet relaxing energy that true matcha can offer, delivered by the combination of caffeine and L-theanine.
Learn more: What is the difference between green tea and matcha? →
Blue matcha: what are the benefits?
Here too, there is a difference between the purported benefits of blue matcha and those of Japanese matcha tea.
While scientific studies are currently lacking to properly analyze the virtues of blue matcha, its high zinc content is worth noting. Zinc is a trace element that helps fight skin problems such as acne or psoriasis. It also helps synthesize keratin and collagen, essential components of our hair. It is also an antioxidant, and therefore helps to slow the aging of the eyes and skin.
Matcha, on the other hand, is backed by a more extensive body of scientific literature, which highlights in particular its richness in antioxidants, its deeply relaxing effect and the gentle, lingering energy it provides, as well as improved concentration and mood. Some studies indicate that matcha may also support weight loss when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
- To learn more, I invite you to discover all the benefits of matcha in our dedicated article.
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Beware of fake matcha
Outside Japan, the term "matcha" is unfortunately not regulated. All kinds of powders, made from tea or herbal infusions, can therefore be found on the market under this name. There are other colored powders, such as "pink matcha", a product made from dragon fruit powder, or even simple green tea powders that do not follow the production process of real matcha.
While they can sometimes be an interesting alternative to matcha, for example to reduce your caffeine intake, the taste and benefits of these powders are not comparable.
That is why at Kumiko Matcha, I offer my community only real matcha from organic farming, sourced directly from Japan and produced with passion by artisan farmers.
