Staffed refreshment stations
Teams making lattes or whisked matcha to order need a repeatable measure, a workable mixing method and a plan for milk choices. JING Tea and Clearspring both publish preparation measures for their powders.
Who is each format for?
Self-service tea breaks
Planners serving many delegates without a drinks attendant can consider tea bags or loose-leaf matcha blends. These are brewed as tea, rather than prepared as a whisked matcha drink.
Teams responsible for ingredient information
Caterers serving flavoured mixes, milk or other additions need current ingredient records and a way for attendees to obtain allergen information for the drink they receive.
What should you check before ordering?
Start with the drink promised on the menu, then check whether the preparation method works at the planned service pace.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Service pace | Compare brewing with the measuring and mixing required for powder. Check staff, equipment and a repeatable recipe before planning made-to-order drinks. | I need delegates to get a drink without a queue building at the break. If the station is unattended, a brewed-tea format may be easier to organise than powder mixed to order. |
| Drink format | Read the ingredients rather than relying on the word “matcha”. Clearspring lists its Matcha Sencha as 95% sencha and 5% matcha, while its Premium Grade powder lists 100% matcha. | If the menu promises a matcha latte, I need a preparation method for a powder-based milk drink. If it promises green tea with matcha, a brewed blend describes a different offer. |
| Portions and mixing | Follow the exact product directions and trial the planned serving size. JING Tea specifies 2g powder with 40ml water at 80°C for its latte matcha; the Waitrose-listed PerfectTed variety sticks are mixed with 200ml milk. | For a small breakout room, I may prefer individual portions. I still need to know who will supply the liquid and mix each drink. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check each plain or flavoured variant and every milk, syrup or topping used. GOV.UK and Food Standards Scotland say food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink. | I want delegates to know what is in their drink, especially when a flavoured mix or a choice of milks changes the finished recipe. |
| Caffeine choice | Identify matcha as a caffeinated option. Clearspring estimates approximately 32mg of caffeine per 1g of its dry matcha powder; that figure should not be applied to a different product or serving. | I need another refreshment option for attendees who do not want caffeine, rather than treating matcha as the only tea-break drink. |
Common catering mistakes
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Describing a brewed blend as a full matcha drink
Clearspring Matcha Sencha contains 95% sencha and 5% matcha; Clearspring Premium Grade powder lists 100% matcha. They call for different preparation and should not be described as the same drink.
Decide whether the menu offers a latte, whisked matcha or green tea with matcha, then check that the selected format matches the wording.
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Using flavoured sticks for a plain-matcha menu
The Waitrose-listed PerfectTed variety pack includes plain matcha and flavoured sticks; its vanilla ingredients include coconut sugar and flavourings.
Check ingredients by variant and keep plain and flavoured options distinct in ordering and menu information.
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Planning powder drinks without a mixing method
JING Tea, Clearspring and the Waitrose-listed PerfectTed sticks all give preparation directions involving measured ingredients and mixing. A recipe that works for one serving still needs to be practical at the planned service volume.
Trial the actual recipe and decide whether staff can use a whisk, shaker or blender during the break.
Powder-based service may also require staff time and mixing equipment at the station.
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Keeping an old ingredient record for the event
Ingredients and allergen details can change, while the information given to attendees needs to reflect the drinks being served.
Check current packs or supplier specifications for the matcha product and all additions, and make that information accessible to serving staff.
Relevant brand references
Clearspring
Its matcha powder and Matcha Sencha illustrate the difference between a powder-based drink and brewed green tea containing matcha.
- Clearspring lists organic matcha as the sole ingredient in its Premium Grade powder and gives a whisking measure.
- Its Matcha Sencha is 95% sencha and 5% matcha, so use the blend for a brewed-tea menu rather than presenting it as latte powder.
JING Tea
JING Tea offers separate matcha products with directions for milk-based service and for whisking with water.
- JING Tea positions its Ceremonial Latte Matcha for milk drinks and specifies a 2g preparation measure.
- Its Organic Ceremonial Matcha is a separate 30g product intended for whisking with water; check which recipe and pack format the station needs.
Teapigs
Teapigs has a trade channel aimed at hospitality businesses considering their tea-service arrangements.
- Teapigs Trade states that trade accounts have no minimum order quantity.
- Check the current ingredients, pack size and directions of any particular Teapigs matcha product before adding it to an event menu.
Waitrose
Its listed products include examples of both brewed matcha blends and portioned matcha sticks.
- The Waitrose-listed Twinings Superblends Matcha is a 20-bag infusion; its PerfectTed variety sticks have milk-based preparation directions.
- Check the chosen product and variant, along with local availability, before fixing quantities or menu descriptions.
Tesco
Tesco lists matcha powders and flavoured products, offering a grocery-channel reference for comparing formats.
- Its listings include PerfectTed matcha powder as well as flavoured matcha products.
- Tesco advises customers to read current product labels because food products may be reformulated.
Joybuy matcha options
These options cover brewed matcha tea, portioned latte mixes and a prepared oat-matcha drink. Choose by the service you can run and check the current pack before finalising ingredients, portions and allergen information.
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Itoen Oi Ocha Japanese Matcha Genmaicha Tea Bags, 20 Bags, 40g
The tea-bag format suits a self-service brewed-tea break rather than a whisked latte. Establish a brewing method for the event and check the current pack for ingredient and allergen information.
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OMGTea Vanilla Matcha Latte Sachets, 6 × 12g
These vanilla sachets offer individual portions for a smaller latte station. They are not a plain-matcha choice; check the current ingredients, allergen declaration and mixing directions before setting the menu.
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Aik Cheong Matcha Latte Instant Green Tea Powder, 12 × 25g Sachets
The sachet format provides defined portions for a latte-style service. Check the current ingredient and allergen details, then trial the liquid amount and preparation method before planning servings.
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GOLD KILI Oat-K Oat Matcha, 6 × 25g Sachets, 150g
Individual sachets may work for a small oat-matcha station. Check the current pack to establish the matcha ingredient, preparation directions and allergen information before describing or serving the drink.
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PerfectTed Vanilla Matcha Latte, 4-Pack
This prepared vanilla oat-matcha drink fits a chilled service that does not mix powder at the station. Check the individual serving volume, current ingredients and allergen information when planning quantities and menu wording.
Conference matcha FAQs
Which matcha format works for a self-service tea break?
A tea-bag or loose-leaf matcha blend can be brewed as tea without a powder-mixing station. The Waitrose-listed Twinings blend calls for at least three minutes of infusion; Clearspring Matcha Sencha calls for one heaped teaspoon per person and a 1–2 minute infusion. Neither should be presented as a whisked matcha latte.
Can pure matcha powder be used with water or milk?
Yes, if staff use a defined recipe and mixing method. Clearspring says its Premium Grade powder is 100% matcha and directs users to whisk 1g into 30ml hot water or another drink; trial the chosen milk recipe at the serving size planned for the event.
Are flavoured matcha sticks the same as plain matcha?
No. The Waitrose-listed PerfectTed variety pack includes plain matcha and flavoured sticks, with coconut sugar and flavourings listed for its vanilla variant. Check each variant before calling a drink plain or unsweetened.
What allergen information is needed for conference matcha drinks?
GOV.UK and Food Standards Agency guidance dated 17 July 2026 states that food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink and manage allergens during preparation; Food Standards Scotland states the same core requirements for Scotland. Keep current information for the matcha product, chosen milk and any additions accessible to serving staff.
Should matcha be the only hot-drink option?
Offer another choice for attendees avoiding caffeine. Matcha contains caffeine: Clearspring estimates approximately 32mg per 1g of its dry matcha powder, a figure that should not be applied to every blend or prepared drink.