Fragrant and floral, this Matcha Osmanthus Tea is a soothing drink that pairs the earthy richness of matcha with the delicate, honey-like aroma of osmanthus flower blossoms. It's quick to make and perfect for a gentle afternoon pick-me-up.
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Why you'll love this recipe
Aromatic and balanced: like matcha jasmine tea, the floral notes of osmanthus soften the grassy bitterness of matcha, making it a smooth and calming drink.
Naturally energizing: matcha provides a steady, focused energy boost -- no jitters, just calm alertness.
Simple to make: only a few ingredients, using homemade osmanthus syrup, and 5 minutes to prepare.
What is osmanthus?
Osmanthus (桂花, gui hua) is a small golden flower prized in Chinese tea culture for its sweet, floral fragrance with notes of apricot and honey.
Commonly used in tea blends, desserts, and syrups, osmanthus complements matcha beautifully, adding fragrance without overwhelming its natural flavor.
Ingredients you'll need
- matcha: use high-quality ceremonial or premium culinary grade matcha powder for the best color and flavor
- hot water: about 80°C / 176°F -- not boiling, to preserve the matcha's delicate notes
- osmanthus syrup: for sweetness and floral flavor
- dried osmanthus blossoms: whole, or ground (optional); for extra aroma
Where to find?
You can find dried osmanthus blossoms at Asian grocery stores or online.
How to make matcha osmanthus tea
Make the osmanthus syrup.
Add 1-2 tablespoon of osmanthus syrup (to taste) into a tall serving glass.
Top with ice.
Prepare the matcha:
In a small bowl, sift 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to remove any clumps.
Add 60 ml hot water and whisk briskly in a zigzag motion using a bamboo whisk (chasen) until frothy.
Assemble:
Gently pour the whisked matcha over the ice.
Garnish with ground osmanthus flowers (optional).
Stir gently to combine and enjoy.
Variations
Matcha osmanthus latte: add ¼ -½ C of steamed milk (dairy or non-dairy alternative) after adding the tea.
Sparkling osmanthus matcha: prepare the matcha with 2 tablespoon of hot water, add ice and then top it off with chilled sparkling water, similar to making an Iced Sparkling Matcha Yuzu.
Expert tips
Don't use boiling water: high heat will scorch the matcha, making it taste bitter.
Sift your matcha: this helps it dissolve smoothly without lumps.
Adjust strength to taste: for a stronger cup, use more matcha; for a lighter floral infusion, add more water.
Try it warm: prepare as above, omitting the ice.
For even more osmanthus flavor, grind the dried osmanthus flowers.
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Matcha Osmanthus Tea
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoon osmanthus syrup to your taste
- ice if serving cold
- 1 teaspoon matcha sifted
- 60 ml hot water
- dried osmanthus flowers ground or whole, optional
Instructions
- Make the osmanthus syrup.
- Add 1-2 tablespoon of osmanthus syrup (to taste) into a tall serving glass.
- Top with ice.
Prepare the matcha:
- In a small bowl, sift 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to remove any clumps.
- Add 60 ml hot water and whisk briskly in a zigzag motion using a bamboo whisk (chasen) until frothy.
Assemble:
- Gently pour the whisked matcha over the ice.
- Garnish with ground osmanthus flowers (optional).
- Stir gently to combine and enjoy.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Such a beautiful and calming drink! The pairing of matcha and osmanthus (still not familiar) sounds so elegant and soothing.
Michelle
Thanks Ben! You'll have to look for osmanthus flowers next time! 🙂
Heidi
That was a great tip for not using overly hot water for preparing the tea. I also loved how you added in the homemade osmanthus syrup to add some lovely flowerly sweet flavor!
Michelle
Happy to hear the tip was helpful, Heidi!
Raymund | angsarap.net
Wow, this Matcha Osmanthus Tea sounds like such a soothing and fancy little pick-me-up! I love how the floral notes mellow out the matcha’s earthiness, definitely trying this one next afternoon.
Michelle
You'll love that balance of the green tea with the floral-ness of the osmanthus flowers! Thanks Raymund.