Starbucks Japan has launched a limited-edition Matcha Classic Green Tea Latte, marking the brand’s final special offering of the year. Released on December 13, this vibrant green tea beverage adds to the chain’s series of exciting seasonal drinks, which have included everything from Valentine’s Day-inspired Frappuccinos to holiday-exclusive beverages.
The new latte stands out with its bold green hue, making a visual statement that promises to match its flavour profile. To put this theory to the test, Starbucks enthusiast K. Masami, a local expert on the brand’s offerings, sampled the drink on its release day. As part of the experience, Masami decided to experiment with a popular customization: adding foam to her latte for an additional 50 yen (US$0.33). This brought her total to 550 yen, plus tax.
While some customers opt to adjust the drink’s sweetness by requesting less or no white mocha syrup, Masami chose to skip this alteration. The syrup, which is already included in the standard recipe, can sometimes overwhelm the drink with its sweetness. However, Masami preferred to keep the core ingredients intact. Instead, she followed the barista’s recommendation to add chocolate powder at no extra cost.
This choice proved to be a smart one. The chocolate powder not only provided a visually appealing contrast to the creamy mousse foam but also added depth to the flavour. The slight bitterness of the chocolate helped balance out the sweetness of the white mocha syrup, allowing the matcha’s grassy notes to come through more prominently.
After stirring the drink, Masami found the flavours harmonized beautifully. The non-fat milk in the foam worked to mellow out the sweetness, creating a smooth, balanced taste that let the green tea shine. The result was a refreshing and satisfying green tea experience, perfect for the colder winter months.
This seasonal drink is available until January 14, giving matcha lovers just under a month to enjoy the special creation before it’s gone.
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