Zero-sugar matcha latte with a rich taste: Garu Seonsaeng Make Latte

I tend to think a matcha latte tastes best when it has both that distinctive slight bitterness and sweetness, so I worried that a zero-sugar product might taste a little bland. This time, I tried Garu Seonsaeng Make Latte Zero Sugar Jeju Matcha. To give the conclusion first, there was hardly any of the watered-down feeling I had worried about. The matcha flavor was actually richer than I expected, and it was neither too sweet nor too bitter, so it felt very similar to the matcha lattes I get at cafés.

For zero sugar, the matcha flavor was richer than expected

At first, the words “zero sugar” made me expect weak sweetness and an overall thin taste. But once I actually made and drank it, the flavor was much richer than expected. The matcha flavor came through properly without leaning too far into bitterness, while the sweetness was not so strong that it became cloying quickly. Personally, what I liked most was the balance between sweetness and that slight bitterness. It did not have a strong, awkward zero-product aftertaste, so I did not feel much resistance even from the first sip. It actually felt similar to the matcha lattes I usually order at cafés, so I could comfortably drink a whole cup.

0 g sugar—so how is it sweetened?

Garu Seonsaeng Make Latte Zero Sugar Jeju Matcha contains 0 g of sugar. It uses erythritol and stevia instead of sugar for sweetness. Products containing stevia can sometimes leave its distinctive bitter or dull aftertaste, but this one felt as though care had been taken to reduce that. When I drank it, I did not find the characteristic taste of stevia to stand out strongly. The matcha’s own slight bitterness and gentle sweetness flowed naturally together, making it close to the kind of flavor you drink without consciously thinking, “This is zero sugar.”

It dissolved well in room-temperature oat milk

This time, I made it by adding one stick to the room-temperature oat milk I had at home. With powdered drinks, whether they dissolve well is the first thing I worry about before the taste. Especially in cold drinks, powder can float on top or clump at the bottom, leaving you stirring and stirring. But Garu Seonsaeng Make Latte Jeju Matcha dissolved more quickly than I expected. After adding it to oat milk and stirring a few times, it mixed right in, so there was no need to keep stirring for ages. I really liked that making a cup at home was not a fussy process.

At 16 kcal per stick, it felt less heavy

Garu Seonsaeng Make Latte Zero Sugar Jeju Matcha has 16 kcal per stick. The total calories in a cup will vary depending on the milk or plant-based drink you add. I mixed mine with oat milk, so the oat milk added calories, but the matcha base itself is 16 kcal, which did not feel too heavy. It also seemed like a good choice for days when you are craving a sweet latte but are watching your sugar intake.

A familiar taste if you like café matcha lattes

The thought I had most while drinking it was, “It’s more similar to a café matcha latte than I expected.” When you think of a stick product to mix at home, the aroma or sweetness can sometimes be so strong that it clearly tastes instant, but this had relatively little of that feeling. The matcha flavor was richer than expected, and the sweetness was not excessive either. So if you regularly drink matcha lattes at cafés, I think it will not feel too unfamiliar. It was also convenient to make a simple cup at home without having to go out to a café.

Stick packs seem handy for work or travel, too

Another thing I liked was the stick-pack packaging. Since you use one stick per cup, there is no need to measure anything separately, and it is easy to carry a few in a pouch or bag. Not only at home, but also at work or school, you can make one easily as long as you have milk, and the size is not burdensome to pack for travel or outdoors. If you drink matcha lattes often, it could be nice to keep a few sticks in your desk drawer and make one whenever the craving hits.

Anything disappointing after trying it?

If you like an intensely sweet taste, it may feel less sweet than you expect. On the other hand, for me, the balance of being neither too sweet nor too bitter was exactly what I liked most. Also, the strength can vary depending on how much milk you use with one stick, so rather than diluting it with too much milk at first, it would be best to start with a moderate amount and adjust it to your taste.