Matcha, the vibrant green tea powder, remains a firm fixture on trendy menus, prized for its unique flavour, health perks, and sustained caffeine release. But how do the offerings from Britain's biggest coffee chains measure up? Journalist Danielle Kate Wroe put two new iced matcha lattes to the test, with one result so surprising it led to an instant spit-take.
The Sweet Sensation: Costa's Strawberry Coconut Creation
In January 2026, Costa Coffee launched a Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte, promising a blend of creamy coconut and sweet strawberry sauce. For Wroe, this drink was an unequivocal success. She described it as "genuinely so, so good," though noted it would strongly appeal to those with a sweet tooth.
The combination of coconut milk and strawberry purée was, in her words, a "match(a) made in heaven," making the beverage thoroughly enjoyable from first sip to last. The fact that it delivered an energy boost was seen as a welcome bonus to its delicious taste.
The Shock Factor: Starbucks' Pistachio Offering
Starbucks countered with an Iced Pistachio Matcha Latte, mixing white chocolate pistachio flavour sauce with milk, ice, and matcha green tea. The experience was dramatically different. The anticipated pistachio sweetness was absent, replaced by what Wroe identified as the rumoured 'fishy' taste sometimes associated with pure matcha.
The shock was so immediate that she spat the drink out. Her partner offered a different perspective, suggesting that this stronger, less adulterated green tea taste was closer to what matcha is "supposed to taste like." This highlighted a divide between those who prefer their matcha authentically earthy and those who favour it heavily sweetened.
Health Benefits and The Verdict
The test wasn't just about flavour. Wroe referenced information from Healthline, which notes matcha is high in antioxidants and can boost brain function. This was supported by a study of 23 people, where those consuming matcha showed improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory compared to a placebo group.
Ultimately, the winner for Wroe's palate was clear: Costa's sweeter, fruitier concoction. However, she conceded that for purists seeking a stronger green tea flavour, the Starbucks option might be preferable. The experience even inspired a New Year's resolution for the reporter: to try and acquire a taste for less-syrupy matcha in its more traditional form.
