Running a Blind Matcha Tasting with Staff and Regulars

A blind tasting with staff and regulars tells you which matcha the people who make and drink it prefer, without labels or price getting in the way. Code the cups, randomise the order for each taster, ask one simple question per cup, and keep the person who knows the codes away from the tasters. It complements the more detailed scoring that a head barista does; it does not replace it.

What this tasting is for

Use it when you have narrowed the choice to two or three matchas and want to know which one your team and guests prefer in your house drink. Typical cases:

• choosing between two candidates after an internal test;
• checking whether guests notice a switch from your current matcha;
• deciding between two doses of the same matcha.

For technical criteria (grit, colour over time, ease of mixing) use the matcha sample scorecard. Preference and technical fit are separate questions.

Setting up

People

• One preparer who knows the codes and makes the drinks. They do not taste or talk to tasters about the samples.
• One host who hands out cups and sheets, and does not know the codes.
• Tasters: a mix of baristas and regulars. Invite regulars who already drink matcha lattes, since they reflect the guests you serve.

Drinks

• Use your house recipe and your best-selling milk. Keep dose, milk, temperature, cup and sweetness identical across samples; the side-by-side latte test lists the controls.
• Serve small tasting portions in identical cups so each taster can try every sample.
• If you test your current matcha against a new one, see comparing a new matcha with your current one for matching doses first.

Coding

Use three-digit codes rather than A and B. Letters and "1, 2" suggest an order or a ranking. For example, 418 for one sample and 273 for the other. Write the code underneath each cup and keep the key on a sheet only the preparer holds.

Randomising the order

The first cup often tastes different simply because it comes first. Vary the order between tasters so that each sample is tasted first about as often as the other.

Taster	First cup	Second cup
1	418	273
2	273	418
3	418	273
4	273	418

With three samples, rotate through all six orders. Have water available and ask tasters to rinse between cups.

A simple recording sheet

Regulars will not fill in a long form. Keep it to what you need.

Code	Which do you prefer? (tick one)	One word to describe it	Would you order it again? (yes / no)
418
273

Staff can complete the full scorecard as well, but ask them to fill in this short sheet first so their preference is recorded before they start analysing.

Ask tasters not to discuss cups until all sheets are in. Collect sheets per taster, then count.

Counting the results

• Preference count: how many tasters preferred each code.
• "Order again" count per code.
• Words: group similar words (for example "smooth", "creamy") and look for patterns, especially repeated negatives such as "bitter" or "grassy".

Keep results from staff and regulars in separate columns. If the two groups disagree, that is useful: staff may be judging what is easy to make, guests what they enjoy drinking.

With a small group, a close split does not show a real preference. Treat a near-even result as "no clear difference" and decide on cost, workflow or the technical scores instead.

Avoiding bias

• No labels, no price, no supplier names on cups, sheets or the counter.
• Preparer stays out of sight of tasters, or at least silent.
• No leading questions. "Which do you prefer?" rather than "Can you taste how much smoother the new one is?"
• Same portion and temperature. A warmer cup can taste sweeter or stronger.
• Do not tell staff in advance which matcha you are hoping will win.
• Run it once at a quiet time, not during a rush where drinks vary.

After the tasting

Reveal the codes to the team, share the counts and explain the decision. If you go ahead with a new drink or a switch, launching a new matcha drink covers training and a review after the first weeks.

Thank the regulars who took part. A short note that their votes counted goes a long way.

Next step

Order the Ceremonial Barista Matcha sample for a latte tasting, and add the Ceremonial Matcha sample if a pure serve is on the table. Both are €4.95 each excl. VAT at the time of writing; check the product page for the current price.