By: Claudia Casal

People Editor 

Despite the myriad cafes and bakeries that line its streets, Los Gatos’s matcha scene is surprisingly scarce. After lots of trial and error (and money), I have curated a list of the best matchas from cafes all around Los Gatos for others like me who need a double shot of matcha just to make it through the day.

Great Bear Coffee is a classic coffee spot among my friends; it is particularly known for its house-roasted coffee beans, and its mochas are hard to beat. In terms of matcha, Great Bear provides a large variety, offering everything from strawberry to lavender matcha, thanks to their large selection of syrups. Rather than relying strictly on strawberry syrup, Great Bear Coffee’s rendition of strawberry matcha includes their classic matcha topped with homemade strawberry puree. The sweet puree balances the grassy and bitter taste with creamy notes and is satisfying for people with a sweet tooth. Between its local art displays and great morning buns, Great Bear is my go-to when I’m missing spring strawberries.

If you’re a fan of classic matcha, Cafe Dio satisfies this craving. As the cafe of the restaurant Dio Deka, which once received a Michelin star, Cafe Dio fuses cafe classics with Greek flavors like spinach and feta puff pastries and greek salads. With their lovely staff and convenient location, this cafe is a great choice for a midday caffeine rush. Their Nutty Matcha is perfect for fans of bitter-tasting matcha like me. If that’s not your thing, you’re always more than welcome to add one of their many flavored syrups, like vanilla, caramel, or strawberry. This cozy cafe, and even cozier drink, is always a welcome addition to a chilly fall day.

While Purple Onion has always been my to-go sandwich shop, I have never really considered their matcha as anything special until I tried their Coco-Cold Matcha. This creamy coconut matcha latte has sparked an obsession in the Casal Montserrat family. My mom, who once scoffed at my matcha spending, has now bought two new, different types of matcha and stores gallons of coconut milk at home, solely for the purpose of recreating the Coco-Cold Matcha. This frenzy has spread beyond my family, now affecting my closest friends. The same people who once swore they didn’t like coconut now enthusiastically send me pictures of their own Coco-Cold Matchas. What really sets this drink apart is a critical ingredient: coconut cold foam. The fluffiness of the cold foam paired with the rich coconut syrup makes this unlikely combination of ingredients work. Even in the dead of winter, you can find me sitting at Purple Onion, drowning my sorrows in their coconut cold foam.

Even though Los Gatos has a long way to go in establishing its quality of matcha drinks, at least I will always have the Coco-Cold Matcha and Cafe Dio’s classic matcha to sustain me throughout the year. While there are many good options, I will definitely be impatiently waiting for the latest matcha this small town has to offer.