EXCLUSIVE: Costa Coffee has joined the matcha bandwagon, and the Daily Star’s resident ‘mate, I love all things coffee’ expert Adam Cailler has been to try the new range
The matcha train has finally rolled in to Costa Coffee towers – after years of rivals Starbucks flogging the green stuff as a seasonal product. For most people, matcha is one of either two things from a high-end powder used as a Japanese ceremonial powder, or something that every brand on earth now puts into their product for “health reasons”.
But for some reason, Costa has avoided the matcha bandwagon until now. The iconic coffee chain confirmed that it was adding matcha products to its range last week, with the drinks now in stores UK-wide.
The list of new products – which we have now tried – is quite vast, including: Hot Matcha Latte and an Iced Matcha Latte, a Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte, a new Spanish Caramelo Latte, and the returning Spanish Latte.
In the food department, there’s now more vegetarian options (finally), including the Onion Bhaji Wrap, tomato and basil soup and a tomato and mature cheddar croissant.
And last but not least, there’s now a banana and chocolate muffin, alongside an orange and raspberry Victoria sponge and berry crumble slice.
Having tried most of the range, I’ll start with my personal favourite – the banana and chocolate muffin.
Give me all of your stock, and the recipe. It’s moist, chocolate-filled and very banana-heavy. It’s basically perfect, and I hope it stays on the menu as a permanent fixture.
I also tried the new tomato and cheddar croissant, which while not ground-breaking, it is a nice choice compared to the usually-meat heavy range that Costa normally carries. It’s simple, and really does what it says on the tin.
On the drinks front, I tried the Spanish latte last year, and it was enjoyable – but the caramelo version is not something I’m yet sold on.
For me, it was very, very sweet and while decent for a once-in-a-while treat, I don’t think I’ll be running back for it.
But now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . the matcha range, and I think I’ve found my new Costa favourite amongst it.
The Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte is a solid winner, and quite possibly the best new drink Costa Coffee has created for many years.
It has the perfect mix of sweet and matcha savouriness, while the choice of coconut milk is inspired as it adds a roundedness to the concoction that is needed to make it a real winner.
I’m not sure what kind of matcha Costa is using, but it wasn’t overpowering at all, and added a nice subtle depth to the drink.
However, this subtlety was slightly exposed in the standard latte version, where the matcha flavour very quickly fades from memory.
I can see this being a favourite with those who have never tried matcha before, but for those that want to be punched by their matcha – it might need a double dose of the green stuff before they’re satisfied.
Overall, for Costa’s first foray into the world of matcha, it’s definitely a hit – and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes in future.
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