Calling all matcha lovers! Thursday, May 2nd is National Matcha Day!
Observed annually, National Matcha Day falls on the 88th day of the Japanese calendar, which signifies the date Japanese tea farms consider most favorable to begin the spring tea harvest. To honor their craft, we encourage you to enjoy matcha in the form of a latte, a cocktail, a treat, or whatever your preferred method of consumption might be. Check out the below spots in Portland for all your matcha wants and needs, no matter the day of the year!
Lattes
If you find yourself in the East End, stop by Double Great Coffee or LB Kitchen on Congress Street. LB often offers seasonal twists on the classic, like strawberry or lavender matcha lattes. Walk over to the Eastern Promenade for panoramic ocean views while you sip.
Wandering down Washington Ave? Pop into Forage Market or Onggi for your matcha latte fix. And keep your eye on Onggi’s Instagram for the occasional matcha baked good, like this cake whipped up with yuzu curd and matcha buttercream.
Strolling around the West End? Stop into Smalls, an all day cafe + marketplace, for a hearty matcha and a bite to eat. If bubble tea is more your vibe, check out Uncharted Tea on Congress Street and look for the ‘Atlantis’ on the menu. Looking for somewhere new? Pop into the recently opened Twinflower Café at the Longfellow Hotel.
Walk down the cobblestones of Wharf Street to kill two birds with one stone at Higher Grounds, Portland’s only coffee & cannabis shop. For an enhanced matcha experience, add some CBD or Hemp to your latte. If that’s not your vibe, head next door and kick your feed up at Rigby Yard. The laid-back atmosphere during the day is perfect for getting some work done or catching up with a friend.
Lastly, no matter your mood, Matcha Mood has a matcha to match it. The menu ranges from lattes sweetened with brown sugar, creamy caramel, or pumpkin spice to more refreshing options like yuzu lemonade, sparkling, and coconut matcha. And that’s just the beginning. Keep reading to hear about Matcha Mood’s matcha-infused desserts.
Cocktails
- Mount Fuji at Jing Yan – Beefeater gin, yuzu sake, matcha, egg white, and topped with vanilla foam
- Matcha Hai at Pai Men Miyake – Toki whisky, matcha, honey, and lemon
Sweets and Treats *seasonal*
- Matcha Soft Serve, Boba, and Matchamisu Latte at Lecha
- Matcha Milkshake at LB Kitchen
- Matcha White Choco Croffle at Matcha Mood
- Matcha Soft Serve at Matcha Mood
