OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Matcha originated in China as a plant which was steamed and salted into bricks, before being broken down into a powdery green mix to add to water during the Tang Dynasty during the 7th and 10th centuries. Eventually, its popularity faded in China and was introduced to Japan in the 1200s. The Song Dynasty popularized the drink in the 12th and 13th centuries for its calming yet energizing affects and the following mental clarity. During the Kamakura Period, it became integral to the Japanese tea ceremony and was reserved for high status individuals due to its rarity in that period from limited quantities. Once associated with the ruling class, matcha is popular due to its health benefits and blend of natural caffeine.

Despite claims of it tasting like sea grass, that’s a stigma that derives from lower quality matcha and improper preparation. Properly prepared quality matcha should have a naturally sweet, vegetal flavor like most other natural teas, though it shouldn’t be prepared like other teas. Although vegetal or bitter teas might not be popular for some, there are a variety of ways to drink matcha with some sweeter options for those with a sweet tooth. For those interested in trying this healthy and unique drink that even royals couldn’t resist, here are some local spots that offer this drink fit for a king with a variation of ways it can be served.

1. Wawa

  • Matcha: Wawa serves matcha tea in a variety of ways with hot matcha lattes, iced matcha teas and smoothies with options of customizable flavoring with mint, mint chocolate chip, vanilla and a pumpkin spice option for the fall season. During the checkout process, they also have a variety of milks to choose from.
  • Locations: There are 10 locations open in Ocala for locals to choose from.
  • Pricing: The matcha drink ranges from $4.39 to $5.79 depending on size, type of milk and other additions.

2. Starbucks

  • Matcha: Starbucks has recently made a change to their matcha menu using unsweetened matcha powder. They now serve matcha lattes, iced matcha lattes and a match crème frappuccino blended beverage made with unsweetened matcha powder for patrons to adjust the level of sweetness in their matcha drinks. All of their matcha beverages are customizable with syrups and foams with matcha foam available for other iced beverages.
  • Locations: There are currently eight open locations in Marion County available with one temporarily closed.
  • Pricing: Prices vary depending on location, size and additions to matcha drinks.
A clear glass cup stands on a dark table with a green drink on the inside and ice floating toward the top. In the background is a barista in a green apron holding another cop.
Starbucks offers match served in a variety of ways with plenty of options to spice up matcha teas with their new, unsweetened matcha powder. Courtesy: Starbucks

3. Symmetry Coffee

  • Matcha: Symmetry Coffee offers hot matcha lattes and iced matcha lattes as well as the cameo iced dirty matcha and others. They offer a variety of customizable options and additions with a variety of syrups, milks, additional espresso, toppings and specials.
  • Locations: There are two locations with one in Paddock Mall and the other at 101 E Silver Springs Blvd Ste. 102, Ocala, FL 34470.
  • Pricing: The basic price for both hot and iced matcha is $6, though prices may vary depending on toppings, size, espresso, milk and syrup.
A dark brown teacup sits on a white table with a green drink with a white design in the center. Behind it is a taller cup with more of the green drink.
Symmetry Coffee offers matcha served in a variety of ways. Courtesy: Symmetry Coffee

4. Sipping Grounds

  • Matcha: Sipping Grounds serves hot matcha lattes and iced matcha tea as well as the limited time berry bloom matcha lemonade. Their matcha has a variety of customizable options of various milk, foam, creams, coffee flavor and syrup add-ons, fruit flavor add-ons, additional espresso and toppings including a pumpkin spice crunch topping for the fall season.
  • Locations: There are two locations with one at 235 NE Watula Ave., Ocala, FL and one at 309 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala, FL.
  • Pricing: Prices vary from $5 to $5.75 depending on size and may change based on custom additions.
A glass cup with a blue sticker on the front has a graphic of a cup of tea with "Sipping Grounds" written under it. On the table in front of it is matcha powder. Behind it on the table is a flower in a planter on a wooden lift with a cafe in the background. Inside the glass is a green drink with ice and a light pink addition to the drink at the top.
Sipping Grounds in Ocala offers a variety of tea including their customizable matcha lattes. Courtesy: Sipping Grounds

5. The Gathering Cafe

  • Matcha: The Gathering Café offers matcha lavender frappes for those looking for a kick of coffee and matcha lattes with customizable additions.
  • Locations: There are two locations with one at 306 SW Broadway St. and one at 3010 NE 14th St, Ocala, FL.
  • Pricing: The matcha lavender frappe is $5.
A clear plastic cup holds a green drink with ice floating in it. On the front of the cup is a stick that reads, "The Gathering Cafe. Serving Others as We Serve the Lord." In the background is a stone wall with a large white sign behind it reading Proverbs 16:3 and "The Gathering Cafe."
The Gathering Cafe serves up matcha frappes and lattes. Courtesy: The Gathering Cafe

6. Ramen House

  • Matcha: Ramen House offers boba tea with matcha milk tea and dirty matcha. Patrons can enhance the matcha boba with tapioca pearls and a variety of popping bubble flavor options to pair with the milk tea.
  • Location: There is one location at 2708 SW College Rd Ste 3, Ocala, FL.
  • Pricing: The matcha milk tea is $5.95, prices may vary depending on popping bubbles. The dirty matcha is $6.95, prices may vary depending on popping bubbles.

7. Poke Go!

  • Matcha: Poke Go has a variety of drinks focusing on boba, offering a match latte cheese foam, matcha jasmine milk tea and matcha smoothie with tapioca pearls and multiple flavors of popping bubbles to pair with the drinks. For those interested in matcha foods, they offer matcha tiramisu.
  • Location: There is one location at 3131 SW College Rd #406, Ocala, FL.
  • Pricing: The matcha latte cheese foam is $7.99, the matcha jasmine milk tea is $6.99 and the matcha smoothie is $6.75. Prices may vary depending on popping bubbles and additions.
A plastic cup sits on a wooden table with a cafe setting in the background. On the sup reads, "Poke Go. Poke bowl & bubble tea." Inside the cup is a green drink with pink foam floating on the top and strawberry bubbles floating in the middle and bottom.
Poke Go offers matcha with a variety of customizable ingredients. The one featured in this image is a strawberry matcha smoothie topped with strawberry cheesecake foam. Courtesy: Poke Go

8. Zuru Ramen

  • Matcha: Zuru Ramen offers a variety of milk teas with a match milk tea option. Patrons can enhance their milk tea with one of the varieties of popping bubble options to pair with it.
  • Location: There is one location at 4414 SW College Rd #1460, Ocala, FL.
  • Pricing: The matcha milk tea is $6.25 with an additional $0.75 for popping bubbles.

9. Blossom Juicy Bar

  • Matcha: Blossom Juicy Bar has a focus on boba tea with a matcha milk tea option and a variety of options for popping bubbles or tapioca pearls to pair with it and a matcha latte coffee.
  • Location: It has one location in the Paddock Mall food court.
  • Pricing: The large matcha milk tea and matcha latte coffee are $7.70, prices vary depending on size and additions.
A green drink in a plastic cup sits on a table with a white tarp and white background. The cup has a graphic of fruit with "Blossoms Juicy Bar" written under it. Black tapioca pearls lay at the bottom of the cup while ice floats toward the top.
Blossoms Juicy Bar provides a look at their matcha boba tea with tapioca pearls. appetizing for those with a taste for matcha. Courtesy: Blossoms Juicy Bar