Things Nobody Told Me About Matcha — Part 2

Why Do Influencers Use 6g of Matcha? The Latte Experiment Nobody Talks About

If you spend enough time watching matcha latte videos on Instagram or TikTok, you start noticing a pattern.

A lot of creators are not using 2 grams of matcha.

They are using 5 grams. 6 grams. Sometimes even more.

The color looks beautiful.

Deep green. Creamy. Almost too perfect.

And if you are making matcha at home, it can make you wonder:

“Am I not using enough matcha?”

That question sounds simple.

But after years of serving matcha to customers, testing different grades, and watching how cafes actually build matcha lattes, I think the answer is more complicated than most videos make it seem.

The Standard Advice Is Usually 2–3g

In traditional usucha preparation and many home recipes, you often see around 2–3 grams of matcha.

That amount works beautifully for usucha (thin tea), where matcha is whisked with water and enjoyed directly.

But matcha lattes are different.

Once you add milk, ice, sweetener, and larger cup sizes, everything changes.

Milk can soften bitterness — but it can also soften aroma and mute flavor.

Ice dilutes.

Bigger cups spread flavor thinner.

Suddenly, 2 grams may taste completely different.

“Use 2 grams.”

The missing question is:

“For what kind of drink?”

Why 6g Looks So Good on Social Media

Social media rewards color.

A pale latte does not stop people from scrolling.

A thick, vibrant green layer does.

More matcha gives creators:

• stronger color
• better contrast
• richer texture
• more visual impact

There is nothing wrong with that.

But sometimes the recipe becomes optimized for cameras as much as for taste.

Many viewers copy the number without understanding what matcha was used underneath.

The Real Problem: Not Every Matcha Is Built for Milk

Some matcha tastes incredible with water.

Smooth.

Delicate.

Elegant.

But once milk enters the picture, the story changes.

Some matcha simply disappears.

Aroma fades.

Character becomes softer.

People compensate by adding:

• 4g
• 5g
• 6g

Sometimes the issue is not quantity.

Sometimes the matcha was never built for lattes in the first place.

Then I Realized: Milk Matters More Than I Thought

The amount of matcha is only half the equation.

The milk changes everything.

This surprised me personally because I drink a lot of coffee and make lattes at home.

For coffee, I usually preferred richer milk.

Whole milk.

Strong body.

Creamier texture.

I never liked almond milk very much.

So naturally I assumed matcha would work the same way.

I was wrong.

Matcha turned out to be an entirely different conversation.

Rich dairy milk creates beautiful texture.

But sometimes it can overpower delicate matcha.

Subtle flavors disappear.

Aroma softens.

Brightness fades.

Meanwhile, plant-based milks surprised me.

In my experience, almond milk and soy milk sometimes seemed to let more of the matcha itself stay alive.

I do not know the exact science.

I only know what I repeatedly noticed while serving customers:

Different milk changes how much matcha you need.

Rich whole milk may need more matcha.

Lighter almond milk may need less.

“Always use 6 grams.”

My first question now is:

“With what milk?”

What Cafes Understand Better Than Home Users

Cafes rarely choose matcha based on labels.

They choose based on performance.

They need matcha that can:

• hold flavor in milk
• create strong green color
• balance sweetness
• work consistently
• make financial sense

Products like Aoarashi and Wakatake became popular partly because they hold stronger flavor and color in milk-based drinks.

Wakatake is especially interesting because in Japan it is categorized as food-use or culinary matcha.

Culinary does not automatically mean low quality.

Sometimes it simply means the tea was designed for desserts, baking, ice cream, and milk-based drinks.

So Is 6g Too Much?

Not necessarily.

For large iced drinks with lots of milk, 5–6g can make perfect sense.

But more matcha does not automatically solve problems.

Sometimes the answer is not “use more.”

Sometimes the answer is “use the right matcha.”

The Takeaway

Influencers use 6g because it creates stronger color and visual impact.

But that number is not universal.

It depends on:

• the matcha
• the milk
• cup size
• ice amount
• the experience you want

The best latte is not the one using the most matcha.

It is the one where the matcha still feels alive after the milk goes in — not just the one with the deepest green color.

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