A drink that was once hard to come by, matcha is now ubiquitous in cafe culture. The finely milled Japanese green tea has long been central to traditional tea ceremonies and today shows up everywhere from pastry cases to skincare products. The fascination with matcha may come from its flavor. It is both striking and grounding: grassy, a little bitter and slightly sweet, with a caffeine lift steadier than coffee’s. Plus, it harbors an abundance of antioxidants and amino acids. Matcha varies in quality, from ceremonial-grade to culinary powders used in baking, it is prized for its vivid green color and refined texture, and is brought to life by tactful whisking to produce its signature silky texture.

The Strawberry Matcha Latte from Pika Pika in downtown Bend takes the drink to another level. Served over ice from the shop’s cafe window, a reusable cup is filled with a layer of premium grade matcha, milk and strawberry, transpiring into a mouthwatering sunset of colors. An abundance of ice comes into play before the first sip, when a big shake combines the layers.

A pleasing rhythm between fruit and tea follows. Strawberry aromatics open each sip, then slip aside as the matcha arrives with a satin, nutty finish. The tea flavor remains present and, like any good matcha, is free of clumps or chalkiness. Because the strawberry purée is made with real fruit rather than syrup, the matcha gets the chance to speak for itself while the sweet and umami sides of the palate enjoy the harmony.

Ice cold, bright in color and portable, this matcha is just the right partner for summer. Learn more and visit @pikapikabend. 

Why Matcha Remains a Favorite

Once difficult to find outside specialty tea shops, matcha has become a staple of modern cafe culture.

The finely milled Japanese green tea has long played a central role in traditional tea ceremonies. Today, it appears everywhere from pastry cases to skincare products.

Part of its appeal is its distinctive flavor profile: grassy, slightly bitter and gently sweet, with a caffeine boost that tends to feel steadier than coffee. Matcha is also known for its concentration of antioxidants and amino acids.

Quality varies from ceremonial-grade matcha to culinary powders used in baking, but the best versions are prized for their vibrant green color, refined texture and smooth finish.

What to Know About Pika Pika’s Strawberry Matcha Latte

Drink: Strawberry Matcha Latte

Where: Pika Pika, downtown Bend

Best For: A refreshing summer drink with balanced fruit and tea flavors

Served over ice in a reusable cup, the drink arrives with distinct layers of strawberry, milk and matcha. Before the first sip, a generous amount of ice helps blend the ingredients into a smooth, chilled beverage.

What It Tastes Like

The experience begins with bright strawberry aromatics.

As the fruit notes fade, the matcha takes center stage, delivering a silky texture and nutty finish. The tea remains present throughout, avoiding the chalkiness or clumping that can diminish lesser matcha drinks.

Because the strawberry component is made with real fruit rather than syrup, sweetness never overwhelms the tea. Instead, the two flavors complement one another, allowing both the fruit and matcha to shine.