Matcha in Finsbury Park, done properly. Frame whisks Perfect Ted matcha to order, about a minute from Finsbury Park station. There are nine matcha drinks across the menu, from a plain latte at £4.00 to iced seasonal specials.
Nine matcha drinks, and how to pick one
Six sit in the matcha section and three more under Seasonal Sips, which is where the iced ones live. They are not nine versions of the same drink — they fall into three groups, and most of the disappointment anyone has with matcha comes from ordering out of the wrong group.
If you want to taste the matcha
Matcha Latte — £4.00. Matcha and milk, with your milk of choice. This is the one to order if you want to find out whether you actually like matcha, because there is nowhere for it to hide. It is grassy, a little vegetal, and carries a slight bitterness at the finish — and that bitterness is the point, in the same way it is the point in an espresso.
Matcha with fruit alongside it
Three drinks at the same price, built on the plain latte with fruit added. The fruit softens the bitter edge rather than covering it, so you still taste the tea.
- Strawberry Matcha — £4.60
- Blueberry Matcha — £4.60
- Mango Matcha — £4.60
If you are arriving at matcha from smoothies rather than from coffee, start here rather than with the plain latte.
Closer to a dessert
- White Chocolate Matcha — £4.80
- Strawberry Shortcake Matcha — £4.80
- Iced Blondie Matcha — £4.90
- Iced Cherry Glazed Matcha — £4.90
- Iced Strawberries & Cream Matcha — £5.20
The three iced ones sit on the Seasonal Sips part of the menu, which changes with the weather, so they come and go through the year. If one of them is your drink, it is worth asking whether it is still on.
If you have never had matcha
Order the Matcha Latte at £4.00, sit down with it, and give it three or four sips before you decide. Matcha changes as it cools: the bitterness settles back and the sweetness underneath comes forward. People who judge it on the first sip usually judge it wrong.
Matcha with brunch
Pair one with something from the all-day brunch menu — the Pistachio French Toast is a popular match. There are fresh smoothies and Nemi Teas too, from peppermint to camomile, and dogs are always welcome.
Frequently asked
What matcha do you use? Perfect Ted, whisked to order.
Do you do iced matcha? Yes — three of them on Seasonal Sips: Iced Blondie, Iced Cherry Glazed, and Iced Strawberries & Cream.
How much is a matcha? From £4.00 for the Matcha Latte up to £5.20 for the Iced Strawberries & Cream Matcha.
Where are you? 7 Clifton Terrace, London N4 3JP, about a minute from Finsbury Park station. Open from 8am every day. Find us here.