Koicha Vs Usucha
Thick tea and thin tea, and why the same powder is not always right for both.
The same family of powder can be served two ways, and the difference is how much powder meets how much water.
Usucha, Thin Tea
A small amount of powder is whisked with hot water into a light, foamy bowl. It is what most people mean when they order a straight matcha. It is also the base for most cafe lattes.
Koicha, Thick Tea
Koicha uses much more powder and less water. It is mixed slowly, not whisked hard, into a texture closer to a warm paste. Because every flavor is concentrated, sellers often reserve certain powders for it.
| Usucha | Koicha | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Light and foamy | Thick and glossy |
| Method | Whisked | Mixed slowly |
| Where you see it | Most cafes | Tea houses and a few specialty cafes |
What To Ask
If a cafe offers koicha, ask which powder it uses. Our Koicha Grade stamp is for cafes whose supplier says the powder suits thick tea.
Next: Ceremonial Grade Explained
Sources
Read 2026-10-23. Our summaries are in our own words. Spot an error? Tell us.