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Frequently Asked Questions

About Matcha

Matcha is finely ground green tea leaf, but unlike a normal cup of tea, you're consuming the whole leaf rather than just steeping it. That means more nutrients, more antioxidants, and a much richer flavour. It's been used in Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries, and it's become a staple morning ritual for people who want calm, steady energy without the jitters.

Good matcha is smooth, slightly grassy, and has a natural sweetness with no bitterness. Our ceremonial grade matcha from Shizuoka has a gentle, creamy flavour that works beautifully on its own with water, or as a latte with oat milk. If you've only ever tried low-quality matcha and found it bitter, ours will be a completely different experience.

With green tea, you steep the leaves in water and then throw them away. With matcha, the whole leaf is stone-ground into a powder, which you drink entirely. That means matcha contains significantly more antioxidants, more L-theanine, and a richer flavour than brewed green tea.

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea leaves. Combined with caffeine, it smooths out the stimulant effect so you get the alertness and focus without the jitters or crash that coffee can bring.

Matcha is rich in antioxidants (particularly catechins), which help protect cells from damage.

Matcha Benefits:

  • - Sustained, steady energy release (no crash)
  • - Improved focus and mental clarity
  • - Reduced stress and anxiety
  • - Boosted metabolism
  • - Anti-inflammatory properties
  • - High antioxidant content, significantly more than brewed green tea

Matcha does contain caffeine, so we'd recommend checking with your GP or midwife before adding it to your routine. They'll be able to give you the right guidance based on your situation.

Dairy milk can inhibit the absorption of some of the antioxidants in matcha, so you get less of the good stuff. Oat milk has a natural sweetness and creaminess that also pairs beautifully with matcha's flavour. That said, your matcha, your rules. Make it however you enjoy it most.

Keep it in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and moisture. A cool, dry cupboard works well, or the fridge if you have room. Always reseal the pouch or tin tightly after each use.

Unopened, our matcha has a shelf life of around 12 months from production. Once opened, we'd recommend using it within 2-3 months for the best flavour and colour. The greener and fresher it smells, the better. Oxidised matcha looks yellowy and tastes flat.

About Maddie's

Our ceremonial grade matcha is sourced from Shizuoka, Japan, one of the most respected teagrowing regions in the country. It's a first-harvest spring matcha, made from the Okumidori tea variety, stone-milled in the traditional method. We chose it after tasting a lot of matcha, and it's the one we felt genuinely proud to put our name on.

Yes. Our matcha is ceremonial grade, which means it's made from young, first-harvest spring leaves that are stone-ground rather than machine-processed. It's the highest quality matcha available: smoother, sweeter, and far more vibrant in colour than culinary grade, which is designed for cooking and baking.

Ceremonial grade is made from the youngest, most tender leaves and is intended to be drunk on its own. It has a naturally smooth, slightly sweet flavour with no bitterness. Culinary grade is made from older leaves and has a more robust, sometimes bitter taste. It's designed to stand up to other ingredients in baking or smoothies, but it's not something you'd enjoy whisked with just water. All of Maddie's matcha is ceremonial grade.

Absolutely. Whether it's our matcha from Shizuoka or our coffee, we only work with suppliers and farmers who share our values around quality, sustainability, and ethical practice. Every product on our shelves is chosen with care, not just because it tastes good, but because we're happy with how it's made.

You'll find us at Unit 39, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ. Come and say hello (you might even meet Monty, our resident supervisor and lead matcha taster!).

We're open Monday to Sunday!

Monday to Saturday 9:30am - 8pm

Sunday 9:30am - 6pm

Yes. Join Maddie's Club to earn rewards every time you shop. Collect points with each purchase and unlock exclusive perks and treats.

Sign up here!

Ordering & Shipping

All orders are processed within 1-3 business days (excluding weekends and bank holidays). We ship with Royal Mail 48, so once your order is on its way you can expect it to arrive within 3-5 working days. You'll receive a confirmation email with tracking details as soon as it's dispatched.

We offer free UK shipping on all orders over £40. For orders under £40, shipping costs are £5.99. You'll always see the full cost before you pay.

We currently ship within the United Kingdom only. If you're based overseas and would love to get your hands on Maddie's, drop us a message at contact@maddie-s.com. We're always looking at ways to expand.

First, check your dispatch confirmation email for tracking information. If your order is significantly overdue or the tracking isn't updating, please get in touch at contact@maddie-s.com with your order number and we'll look into it straight away. Delays can occasionally happen with couriers, but we'll always do our best to make things right.

Please contact us at contact@maddie-s.com as soon as possible. If your order hasn't been dispatched yet, we'll do our best to update the address. Once an order has been dispatched, we're unable to redirect it, and Maddie's can't be held responsible for orders delivered to an incorrect address provided at checkout.

Yes. Once your order is dispatched, you'll receive an email with tracking information so you can follow its journey to you.

Returns & Issues

We have a 30-day returns policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. To be eligible, your item must be in the same condition you received it: unopened, unused, with tags and in its original packaging. You'll also need your receipt or proof of purchase. To start a return, contact us atcontact@maddie-s.com.

The following items are not eligible for return: opened or unsealed food products (including matcha powder and coffee) for hygiene and food safety reasons, sale items, gift cards, and custom or personalised orders. Unopened and sealed food products can be returned within 30 days provided they are in their original packaging and condition. If you're not sure whether your item is eligible, get in touch at contact@maddie-s.com and we'll help.

If your item is faulty or incorrect, we'll cover the return postage cost. For change-of-mind returns, return shipping is at your own cost. We recommend using a tracked postal service for all returns, as we can't be held responsible for items lost in transit. Returns should be sent to: Unit 39, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ.

Please inspect your order as soon as it arrives and contact us immediately if anything is defective, damaged, or incorrect. Emailcontact@maddie-s.comwith your order number and a photo of the issue and we'll sort it out for you.

That's our mistake and we'll put it right straight away. Emailcontact@maddie-s.comwith your order number and a photo of what you received and we'll get the correct item to you as quickly as possible.

The quickest way to get what you want is to return the original item and, once the return has been accepted, place a new order for the replacement. Get in touch atcontact@maddie-s.comto start the process.

Once we've received and inspected your return, we'll let you know whether your refund has been approved. If approved, you'll be refunded to your original payment method within 10 business days. Bear in mind it can take additional time for your bank or card provider to process it on their end. If more than 15 business days have passed since your refund was approved, please contact us atcontact@maddie-s.com.

Products & Making Matcha

Sieve 2-3g of matcha into your bowl, add 40ml of warm water (not boiling), and whisk in W or M motions until smooth and frothy. Top with around 120ml of milk, hot or over ice. For the full step-by-step guide, visit our How to Matcha Page.

To make a proper matcha, you'll need a bamboo whisk (chasen), a matcha bowl or wide cup, a fine sieve or sifter, and a bamboo scoop. Our Matcha Kit includes all of this. It's the perfect way to start, or makes a brilliant gift.

If you want something more everyday, a small electric frother also works well and is great for making matcha lattes on the go.

It really is. The kit includes everything you need to start a proper matcha ritual at home: bamboo whisk, bowl, sifter and scoop. It comes beautifully presented and is a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves matcha or wants to make the switch from coffee.

Our 30g bag contains around 10-15 servings depending on how much you use per cup. One matcha a day will last you one to two weeks.

Visiting the Cafe

Yes. We offer dairy, oat and coconut milk at the cafe. Just let the team know your preference when you order!

Absolutely. The full Maddie's range is available to buy in the cafe, so if you want to pick up a tin of matcha or a kit, come and find us at Gunwharf Quays.

Still Need Help?

We'd love to hear from you. Every message is read personally. Email us at contact@maddie-s.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.