---
title: "Why Your Matcha Tastes Bitter—and How to Fix It"
description: "Stop bitter matcha by using 70°C water instead of boiling water, then learn two easy ways to cool it without a thermometer."
image: "https://best-matcha.com/wp-content/uploads/maxresdefault-22.webp"
---
# Why Your Matcha Tastes Bitter—and How to Fix It

> Stop bitter matcha by using 70°C water instead of boiling water, then learn two easy ways to cool it without a thermometer.

Source: https://best-matcha.com/videos/why-your-matcha-tastes-bitter-and-how-to-fix-it/
Created: 2026-03-20T11:16:53+00:00
Modified: 2026-07-30T07:44:55+00:00
Author: Emilie Schol

## Transcript

Transcript

If your matcha tastes bitter, even though it's a good quality matcha, you're probably doing this one mistake. You're boiling your water. I get it. It's tea. You boil water for tea. Makes sense. But the tea here is that this tea is fancy tea, not a regular tea. Here we're not infusing tea leaves with boiling water. Unless you want to destroy the delicate flavors of your matcha powder and bring out all the bitterness. What you actually want around 70° C. That's around 160° F for my United Statesian friends. How do you get there without a thermometer? Well, you can boil your water first and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Done. Or if you don't have 1 to 2 minutes to spare because making matcha is your only coping mechanism to survive this crazy world we're living right now. Or because, like me, you're too lazy to bring out the thermometer. Pour your boiling water in your chawan or in your matcha cup. Or if you're lazy like me, in your mug. And swirl around. Swirl around this water. The surface and the air will cool down your boiling water. That's it. That's my fix. Try it once and you will never have bitter matcha again.

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## FAQ

### Why does good-quality matcha sometimes taste bitter?

Even good-quality matcha can taste bitter if it is prepared with boiling water. The transcript says boiling water can destroy the powder’s delicate flavors and bring out bitterness. Instead, it recommends water at around 70°C, or about 160°F, so preparation temperature should be the first thing to check when otherwise good matcha tastes unpleasantly bitter.

### What water temperature should I use for matcha?

Use water at around 70°C, which the transcript gives as approximately 160°F. This is cooler than boiling water. The recommended temperature is intended to preserve matcha’s delicate flavors and avoid drawing out excessive bitterness. If you do not have a thermometer, the transcript provides simple cooling methods after boiling the water.

### How can I cool matcha water without a thermometer?

One method is to boil the water and then leave it to sit for two to three minutes before preparing the matcha. This allows the water to cool from boiling toward the recommended temperature without requiring a thermometer. The transcript also offers a second method involving pouring the water into a cup and swirling it.

### Can I cool boiling water directly in my matcha cup?

Yes. Pour the boiling water into your chawan, matcha cup, or mug, then swirl it around. According to the transcript, contact with the container’s surface and the surrounding air helps cool the water. This provides a thermometer-free alternative to waiting several minutes before using the water to prepare your matcha.

### What happens when I prepare matcha with boiling water?

Boiling water can overwhelm matcha’s delicate flavors and bring out its bitterness. Matcha powder is not being infused in the same way as ordinary tea leaves, so the transcript advises against treating it like tea that requires boiling water. Cooling the water to around 70°C is the stated preparation fix for this problem.

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# Why Your Matcha Tastes Bitter—and How to Fix It
Stop bitter matcha by using 70°C water instead of boiling water, then learn two easy ways to cool it without a thermometer.

[Emilie Schol](https://best-matcha.com/community/emilie-schol/)

## Speaker: Emilie Schol
Emilie Schol founded Best Matcha after a biotechnology career, bringing a methodical, transparent and enthusiast-led approach to matcha discovery.

[View profile of Emilie Schol](https://best-matcha.com/community/emilie-schol/)

## About this video

Stop bitter matcha by using 70°C water instead of boiling water, then learn two easy ways to cool it without a thermometer.

Statistiques

465 vues | 13 likes

Duration

1 minute, 18 seconds

Link

[Direct video link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmUJNzJuo20)

Published

March 20, 2026

Updated

July 30, 2026

Learn more
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