Costa Coffee's Foray into Matcha Leaves Much to Be Desired
As a regular patron of Costa Coffee, the announcement of new matcha offerings sparked immediate curiosity. The chain, traditionally focused on coffee-based beverages, ventured into the trendy matcha market with flavours like the Iced Strawberry Coconut Matcha Latte. However, after sampling this £5.50 medium-sized drink, the experience proved underwhelming, suggesting Costa might have been better off sticking to its core menu.
A Sweet but Unbalanced First Impression
Using a free drink voucher earned through Costa's loyalty app, the reviewer opted for the Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte. The initial sip revealed an overwhelmingly sickly sweetness, with the coconut flavour barely detectable. While the matcha component itself offered a pleasant earthy note, it was completely overpowered by the strawberry syrup, leading to a sugar-induced headache. The drink, though technically drinkable, fell short of the quality found at independent matcha specialists, highlighting a potential gap in Costa's expertise with this ingredient.
Mixed Reactions from Social Media Influencers
Despite the critical personal assessment, not all feedback has been negative. TikTok influencer @veronamiller_ praised the drink in a video review, noting the matcha was subtle and not overpowering, declaring it "really great." Similarly, @daniellesfitnessdiary expressed pleasant surprise, rating it 6-7 out of 10 and stating she would order again, though she acknowledged it wasn't the strongest matcha available and suggested customising for a bolder flavour.
Alternative Options and Final Verdict
Costa's matcha range also includes a standard iced version and a hot Matcha Latte, providing alternatives for those intrigued. However, given the high cost and unbalanced taste profile of the Strawberry Coconut variant, the reviewer recommends sticking to proven favourites like the standard latte, Spanish latte, or Salted Caramel Frappe. For the curious, using a loyalty freebie might be the safest approach to test these new offerings without financial regret.
