Matcha, the vibrant green tea powder, continues its reign as a major food and drink trend, celebrated for its unique flavour, health properties, and sustained caffeine lift. As its popularity soars, major coffee chains are racing to add their own twists to the classic matcha latte. But do these new creations truly honour the ingredient, or are they merely vehicles for sugary syrups?
The Sweet Victory: Costa's Strawberry Coconut Creation
In a head-to-head taste test conducted in January 2026, journalist Danielle Kate Wroe put the new offerings from two high street giants to the ultimate test. The first contender was Costa Coffee's Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte, a drink promising a blend of creamy coconut and sweet strawberry sauce.
The result was a resounding success for Costa. Wroe described the drink as "genuinely so, so good," though she noted it would primarily appeal to those with a serious sweet tooth. The combination of coconut milk and strawberry purée was deemed a perfect match, making the beverage thoroughly enjoyable from first to last sip.
This delicious experience comes with a notable bonus: the inherent benefits of matcha. As highlighted, matcha is rich in antioxidants and is linked to enhanced brain function. One study involving 23 participants found that those who consumed matcha showed improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory compared to a placebo group.
A Shock to the System: Starbucks' Pistachio Offering
The experience with the second contender, Starbucks' Iced Pistachio Matcha Latte, was dramatically different. This drink combines matcha green tea with a white chocolate pistachio flavour sauce, milk, and ice.
Expecting a nutty sweetness, the taster was instead met with an unexpected and unpleasant flavour profile so shocking that the drink was immediately spat out. Wroe encountered the distinct, sometimes described as 'fishy', earthy taste of pure matcha for the first time, having previously only enjoyed sweeter, fruit-infused versions.
A more experienced matcha drinker, her partner, identified this as the authentic taste of matcha, suggesting that many consumers have become accustomed to overly sweetened versions that mask the tea's true character.
The Verdict: Sweetness vs Authenticity
The taste test delivered a clear, personal winner: Costa's Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte for its delicious, fruity sweetness. However, it also revealed a stark divide in what matcha means to different drinkers.
For those seeking a familiar, dessert-like treat with an energy boost, Costa's new launch is the ideal choice. For purists or those who appreciate the stronger, more vegetal notes of green tea, the Starbucks option may be preferable, offering a less adulterated matcha experience.
The experiment proved so enlightening that it inspired a New Year's resolution for the journalist: to attempt to appreciate the authentic taste of matcha itself, beyond the cloak of syrups and sweeteners.
