Testing samples
Comparing a New Matcha with Your Current One: A Fair Test
Your current matcha has an advantage in any comparison: your team knows how it tastes, and your recipe was built around it. To compare fairly, weigh every dose rather than using your usual scoop, test both matchas at more than one dose, keep the current one blind-coded like the newcomer, and compare cost at the dose each one actually needs. The method below adds those controls to the general sample testing protocol.
Two problems to control for
Dose-equivalence
Your house recipe may say "one scoop", and that scoop was tuned to your current matcha. A different powder can have a different density, so the same scoop may weigh more or less. And a matcha with more flavour per gram might match your current drink at a lower dose, while a milder one might need more.
The fix: weigh in grams, and test at more than one dose.
Familiarity bias
People tend to prefer what they already know, and baristas can often recognise the incumbent by colour, foam or the feel of making it. If tasters know which cup is current, the familiar one starts ahead.
The fix: prepare out of sight, code both cups, and treat a near tie as a win for neither.
Step 1: Weigh your real current dose
Before testing, weigh your current dose as it is actually made. Ask two or three baristas to scoop ten doses each as they would in service, weigh each, and average.
Example (figures to replace with your own): ten scoops averaging 2.3 g, while the recipe says 2 g. Use 2.3 g as the current dose in the test, because that is what guests drink today.
Step 2: Plan a dose ladder
Test the new matcha at your real current dose and at one step either side. Test the current matcha at its real dose.
| Cup | Matcha | Dose (example) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Current | 2.3 g (measured) |
| 2 | New | 1.8 g |
| 3 | New | 2.3 g |
| 4 | New | 2.8 g |
Keep milk, water, temperature, cup and mixing identical; the side-by-side latte test lists the controls. Code each cup with a three-digit number.
At these example doses, the new matcha uses 1.8 + 2.3 + 2.8 = 6.9 g for one round, so one 10 g sample covers this ladder with about 3 g left for a retest.
Step 3: Taste blind and score
Tasters score every cup on the same sheet, for example the "in milk" block of the matcha sample scorecard, and also note which cup they would serve. Rotate the order between tasters.
To check for bias, you can include the current matcha twice under two different codes. If tasters score the two identical cups very differently, treat small gaps between other cups with caution.
For a wider panel including regulars, see running a blind matcha tasting.
Step 4: Compare on equal terms
Find the lowest dose of the new matcha that matches or beats your current drink on the criteria that matter. Then compare cost at that dose, not at a nominal one.
Matcha cost per serving = price per kg × grams per serving ÷ 1,000.
Example with Ceremonial Barista Matcha at €195.00 per kg excl. VAT (at the time of writing, November 2026; check the product page for the current price):
| New matcha dose that matches current | Calculation | Matcha cost per serving |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 g | €195 × 1.8 ÷ 1,000 | €0.35 (€0.351) |
| 2.3 g | €195 × 2.3 ÷ 1,000 | €0.45 (€0.4485) |
| 2.8 g | €195 × 2.8 ÷ 1,000 | €0.55 (€0.546) |
Run the same calculation for your current matcha at its measured dose with your current price excl. VAT. Compare like with like: both excl. VAT, both before waste or both with the same loss rate.
Step 5: Read the result fairly
- New matches or beats current at the same or lower dose: a strong case to switch.
- New only matches at a higher dose: decide on cost at that dose and on any other gains (mixing, colour, consistency).
- Close result, within the noise of your tasting: no clear taste winner. Decide on cost, workflow and supply, or run one more round with more tasters.
- Current clearly preferred blind: keep it, or test another candidate.
Before you switch
A switch touches recipes, training and stock. Update your recipe card with the new dose in grams, use up or set aside the old stock, and brief the team. Switching matcha suppliers without disrupting your menu covers the change-over.
Next step
Order the Ceremonial Barista Matcha sample for lattes, or the Ceremonial Matcha sample if you are replacing a pure serve. Both are €4.95 each excl. VAT at the time of writing; check the product page for the current price. Set aside 10 g of your current matcha for the same tests.