Which Matcha Should You Choose for Lattes? Meet Fuji and Kiku
A delicious matcha latte does not have to begin with ceremonial-grade matcha.
It begins with choosing a tea that works beautifully with your milk, your recipe, and the way you enjoy it.
At Mukoh Matcha, our recommendation for everyday lattes is simple: start with Fuji or Kiku.
Both are made from 100% Yame-grown tea from Fukuoka, Japan. They offer another way to enjoy authentic Japanese matcha—whether you are making your morning latte at home or developing your café’s signature drink.
Choose for Your Cup, Not Just the Grade
When you see names such as “ceremonial” and “culinary,” it can be tempting to assume that the most expensive matcha must be the right choice for every drink.
But choosing matcha is also about choosing its purpose.
For matcha whisked with water, you may want to focus on delicate aromas, natural sweetness, texture, and lingering umami.
For a latte, you are choosing how the tea tastes together with milk and, if you use it, sweetener.
Neither experience needs to replace the other. They simply call for different starting points.
Fuji: Our Starting Point for Matcha Lattes
Made from second-harvest Yame tea, Fuji is one of our recommended choices for everyday matcha lattes.
Its balanced tea character, gentle bitterness, and mild natural sweetness pair well with milk. It is also a versatile option for desserts, ice cream, and baking.
Choose Fuji when you want a matcha to explore across your everyday drinks and recipes.
For café owners, it is a useful place to begin your tasting process: try it with the milk, sweetness level, and serving size you actually plan to offer.
Kiku: Another Recommended Everyday Favorite
Made from third-harvest Yame tea, Kiku is another matcha we recommend for lattes.
Its smooth, approachable flavor works well in milk-based drinks and sweet recipes. If you are comparing options for regular home use or a café menu, Kiku belongs alongside Fuji in your tasting.
Rather than choosing only by harvest or grade, taste both in the finished drink.
The question is not simply, “Which matcha is more expensive?” It is, “Which matcha makes the latte I want to drink—or serve?”
Prefer Matcha Whisked with Water?
Our ceremonial selections offer a different tasting experience.
#8 — Your daily bowl
Made with 100% first-flush Yabukita, #8 brings balanced umami, natural sweetness, and a fresh aroma. It is one of our bestsellers, selling out year after year.
Sakura — Silky and gently sweet
Another returning bestseller, Sakura offers a smooth texture, gentle sweetness, and an elegant finish. Choose it when you want to take your time over a bowl of matcha.
TEN — Discover rare Okumidori
New for 2026, TEN is made with 100% Okumidori from Yame. Its creamy umami and low bitterness make it a distinctive choice for exploring the character of this sought-after cultivar.
You can enjoy these matchas in lattes, too. Our recommendation is about where to start—not a rule about how you must drink your tea.
A Simple Way to Compare Fuji and Kiku
Start with a small tasting size before committing to a larger quantity.
For a useful side-by-side comparison:
- Use the same amount of matcha in each drink.
- Keep the milk type and quantity the same.
- Add the same amount of sweetener—or leave both unsweetened.
- Taste them at the same serving temperature.
Notice the tea aroma, the balance with milk, and the finish after each sip.
If you run a café, repeat the comparison using your actual menu recipe. The matcha you choose should work in the drink your customers will receive.
Find Your Matcha at a Glance
Still deciding? Our new product comparison chart groups our range by recommended use and price band.
Start with your purpose:
- Everyday lattes: Fuji or Kiku
- Matcha whisked with water: #8 or Sakura
- Rare single-cultivar exploration: TEN
Tasting sizes are available in 20g, 30g, 50g, and 100g, with bulk options for regular use and professional kitchens. Tasting and wholesale products come in plain silver pouches; branded packaging shown in product images identifies the varieties.
Our six-variety Ceremonial Trial Set #S is designed for exploring TEN, Michi, Sakura, Red, #8, and Ayame. For a latte-focused comparison, choose Fuji and Kiku individually—they are not included in that set.
Your favorite matcha does not have to be someone else’s favorite.
Start with the cup you want to make. Then find the Yame matcha that belongs in it.
MUKOH MATCHA
100% JAPANESE. ALWAYS.