A green drink on the counter can start quite a conversation. Is it sweet? Is it strong? And, yes, does it taste like grass?
Matcha has become a familiar sight around Liverpool, but you shouldn’t need to know your tea terminology to order one.
If you’re curious, start with two real options on the Safi’s Desserts website: Matcha Classic and Strawberry Matcha.
One puts the tea flavour first; the other adds a fruity twist.
This guide explains what to expect, how matcha differs from coffee, and how to find a Safi’s branch without turning a quick drink into a research project.
Looking to explore the rising coffee and tea culture in the city? If you are curious about Matcha in Liverpool, this guide will walk you through what to expect, how it tastes, and where to order your first cup.
What Does Matcha Actually Taste Like?
Matcha is a finely ground Japanese green tea. Unlike a tea bag, its powder stays in the drink.
That gives it a fuller character and a texture that’s different from ordinary brewed tea.
You might notice several flavours in one sip:
- Green and earthy: Think fresh leaves rather than black tea.
- Slightly bitter: The strength depends on the tea and preparation.
- Savoury: A taste often called umami.
- Creamier with milk: Other ingredients can soften the tea’s sharper edges.
Not everyone loves matcha immediately. That’s perfectly fine. A sweet strawberry version can taste quite different from a drink that lets the tea speak for itself.
Liverpool’s Matcha Moment: The Actual Numbers
Square’s transaction data offers a useful snapshot of the trend. In June and July 2025, businesses using its platform recorded the following:
| Measure | Liverpool | Across the UK |
| Matcha drink transactions | 25,835 | 1,606,627 |
| Sellers in the dataset | 118 | 2,106 |
| Months measured | 2 | 2 |
Square also reported 114.5% year-on-year growth in UK matcha transaction volume in its comparable-seller analysis for the June–July periods of 2024 and 2025.
These are Square-platform figures, not every matcha sold in Britain. Nor are they Safi’s sales or Google search volumes. Still, 25,835 recorded Liverpool transactions show that the city’s interest goes well beyond a photogenic drink.
Discover Matcha Classic at Safi’s Desserts
The simplest way to decide is to forget what looks best in a photograph.
Ask what you normally enjoy drinking.
Matcha Classic is the more tea-led option. Safi’s describes it as showcasing matcha’s distinctive green tea taste.
If you already enjoy green tea, or simply want to discover the flavour without fruit competing for attention, start here.
Strawberry Matcha is listed separately.
It combines matcha with a strawberry flavour, offering a sweeter, fruitier direction. It’s worth considering if your usual order leans towards fruit rather than strong tea.
Neither is a beginner’s test you have to pass. They’re two different choices on the menu.
Here’s a quick comparison before you order:
- Choose Matcha Classic when the taste of green tea is the point.
- Choose Strawberry Matcha when you fancy a fruity contrast.
- Check the live branch menu for available sizes, ingredients and ordering options.
You can view both drinks in Safi’s matcha collection. The product pages explain their flavour profiles.
They do not confirm stock at every Liverpool branch, so ask your chosen shop if you’re travelling specifically for one drink.
If green tea isn’t quite your style and you prefer a richer, creamier treat, check out Milkshakes in Liverpool: Find Your Favourite at Safi’s Desserts for a completely different menu experience.
Matcha vs Coffee: What’s the Difference?
Coffee is an easy habit. On the way to work, between errands, or after lunch, you know roughly what you’re getting.
Matcha can be just as enjoyable, but it brings something else to the table.
Taste: Coffee usually has roasted flavours. Matcha is greener and can have a savoury edge. Neither tastes better in any universal sense.
Method: Coffee is typically brewed from ground beans. Matcha uses powdered tea leaves mixed into liquid, so the powder remains in the cup.
Caffeine: Both contain it. The exact amount depends on the serving and recipe, which means the familiar claim that matcha is always weaker than coffee doesn’t hold up.
In a 2026 comparison, Which? reported 28mg, 57mg and 99mg of caffeine in hot matcha lattes from three different UK chains.
Those are other brands’ drinks, not Safi’s nutrition figures.
If caffeine matters to you, ask the branch about the recipe. And don’t treat a strawberry-flavoured matcha as caffeine-free simply because it tastes sweet.
The Best Desserts to Pair with Your Matcha
Here’s where a dessert shop has an advantage over a drinks-only stop: you can match the drink to something on the same menu.
The aim isn’t a complicated tasting ritual. It’s finding a contrast you enjoy.
Three ideas using products listed by Safi’s:
- Matcha Classic + Loaded Brownie. Rich chocolate beside earthy tea can make each flavour stand out. Try the matcha before the first bite, then again afterwards.
- Matcha Classic + Pistachio & Milk Crêpe. Nutty pistachio and green tea offer a less obvious combination than chocolate. Consider it if you prefer flavours that aren’t purely sugary.
- Strawberry Matcha + Twirl Swift Crêpe. A fruity drink alongside a chocolate-focused crêpe is a playful contrast, particularly when you’re sharing.
These are pairing suggestions, not claims that we’ve taste-tested every combination. Preferences differ, and branch menus may change.
A small idea for two people: order one dessert to share and choose different matchas.
Take a sip before and after a bite. You’ll get a clearer sense of how sweetness changes the tea’s flavour, without ordering a table full of food.
If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, confirm ingredients and cross-contact information with the branch before ordering. A menu description alone isn’t enough.
Trying Matcha for the First Time? Here’s What to Know
You don’t need an expert vocabulary. You need a sensible first order and a bit of curiosity.
Five ways to make the first cup easier:
- Pick your starting point. Go Classic for tea flavour; Strawberry for fruitiness.
- Taste it before the dessert. You can notice the matcha more clearly.
- Don’t judge it by colour. Bright green photographs tell you very little about taste.
- Give it a second sip. The aftertaste can be different from the first impression.
- Ask useful questions. Check ingredients, allergens and caffeine information when relevant.
There’s also no need to call matcha a miracle drink. It’s a traditional Japanese tea enjoyed in modern café recipes. It can fit into an ordinary afternoon without becoming a wellness challenge.
One final thought: if your friend loves Matcha Classic and you don’t, that doesn’t mean either of you ordered badly.
Taste is personal. Try another style next time, or stick with the drink you already like.
Where to Find Matcha in Liverpool at Safi’s Desserts
Safi’s lists six Liverpool locations. That makes it easier to choose a branch near your plans, whether you’re in town or closer to home.
- Mount Pleasant — L3 5SD: Useful when you’re around the city centre.
- Park Road, Dingle — L8 4QY: An option in south Liverpool.
- Old Swan — L13 5XF: On Prescot Road.
- Walton Vale — L9 4SR: Convenient for the Walton Vale area.
- Norris Green — L11 1JA: At Broad Lane Precinct.
- Hunts Cross — L24 9WA: At Hunts Cross Shopping Park.
These are verified branch locations, not a promise that both matcha drinks are stocked at all six.
Published opening times also differ between some pages, so use the current branch information rather than relying on an old screenshot.
From ‘Fancy a Matcha?’ to Your First Sip
- See Matcha Classic or explore Strawberry Matcha.
- Find your nearest Safi’s and confirm the drink is available there.
- Open the branch ordering directory to check its current menu, collection or delivery options.
If you’re ordering delivery, enter your postcode on the relevant ordering platform. A nearby shop doesn’t necessarily deliver to every address.
Matcha doesn’t need the hard sell. If you’re curious about that first green drink, compare the two flavours, pick a convenient branch and give it a go. The best order is the one you’ll actually enjoy.
Pair your afternoon drink with a refreshing frozen scoop by exploring our guide to Ice Cream in Liverpool: Gelato, Soft Serve & Sweet Treats to find the perfect cold pairing.
