Last updated: July 2026
To start serving matcha lattes, a cafe needs three things: good matcha (2–3g per drink), a way to whisk it, and a plan for how much to order. Everything else is menu design. Here is the practical setup, without the mystique.
How much matcha should a new cafe order?
Start with one or two 500g bags and real sales data beats any forecast. Once you know your daily count:
| Matcha drinks per day | Bags/month at 2g | Bags/month at 3g (our cafe ratio) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| 25 | 3 | 4.5 |
| 50 | 6 | 9 |
| 100 | 12 | 18 |
There is no minimum order and no application — one bag ($160) is a fine way to start. In-stock orders ship from Miami the next business day. For the cost side — per-drink math and margins — see How many lattes does a 500g bag make?
What equipment does a cafe need for matcha?
Less than the internet says. You need a fine sieve, a scale or measured scoop, and something that whisks. Here is an honest secret: the bamboo whisk is not required. It is beautiful and traditional, and behind a busy bar an electric frother or a small blender does the job faster and just as well. What actually matters:
- Sift the matcha — clumps survive whisking and end up as bitter pockets.
- Water at ~176°F (80°C), not boiling — boiling water scorches matcha and makes it bitter.
- Whisk in a small amount of water first (3g in 2 oz), then add 6 oz milk — hot, or cold over ice.
- Dose consistently — a scale beats eyeballing; drink #200 should taste like drink #1.
How should a cafe store matcha?
Airtight, cool, dark, and away from the espresso grinder's heat. Refrigerate unopened backstock; keep the working tin sealed at the bar. Opened matcha holds peak color and flavor for 2–3 months — another reason monthly ordering beats stockpiling. Unopened bags keep up to 12 months.
How often should a cafe reorder?
Monthly, for most volumes — it keeps you inside the freshness window and smooths cash flow. If matcha becomes a permanent menu item, put your monthly volume on reserved allocation so the shortage never touches your menu.
Menu economics in one line
At 2–3g per drink, matcha costs $0.64–$0.96 per latte from a $160 bag — on a $6.50 menu price, one of the strongest-margin drinks you can serve.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start serving matcha lattes?
2–3g of first-harvest matcha per drink, a sieve, a scale, hot (not boiling) water, and a frother or whisk. One 500g bag makes 166–250 drinks.
How long does a 500g bag last a cafe?
At 25 matcha drinks a day and a 3g dose, about a week and a half. At 10 drinks a day and 2g, about three weeks.
Do I need ceremonial grade matcha for lattes?
You need first-harvest matcha that holds flavor through milk. "Ceremonial" is an unregulated marketing term — harvest, cultivar, and origin are what to buy on.
Do I need to commit to a big order to try it?
No. There is no minimum and no application — most cafes start with a single 500g bag and taste it the way they will sell it: in milk, iced, side by side against their current matcha.