Joybuy Insights

Matcha Biscuit Buying Guide: Our Top Picks

Matcha has won over taste buds far beyond Japanese tea rooms, finding its way into a myriad of sweet treats. Among them, the matcha biscuit stands out for its unique balance of sweetness and the signature vegetal bitterness of green tea. But with the booming market for Asian sweets, it can be hard to navigate the options and find the hidden gem that will satisfy your cravings.

Whether you're a fan of Japanese culture, a curious foodie seeking new flavours, or simply looking for a unique matcha treat, this guide is for you. We've carefully reviewed several products to bring you a selection with diverse profiles. Our goal: to help you find the perfect matcha snack for you.

How to Choose Your Matcha Biscuit?

Before diving into our selection, here are a few criteria to help you make the right choice.

1. Texture: Crispy, Crunchy, or Soft?

The biscuit's base is just as important as its matcha flavour. When it comes to texture, everyone has their own preference.

  • Light and airy wafer?: Ideal for those who love a crispy texture that crumbles in your mouth. The matcha KitKat is a perfect example.
  • Crunchy stick?: A classic Japanese biscuit, it offers a satisfying crunch and is great for sharing. This is the signature of Pocky.
  • Filled or coated shortbread?: Often richer, this type of biscuit is more like a small matcha cake, with a texture that can be both crumbly and soft thanks to a creamy filling.

2. The Intensity of the Matcha

Be aware that not all matcha biscuits are created equal in terms of taste. The intensity of the green tea flavour can vary considerably:

  • Sweet and milky flavour?: The matcha aroma is present but subtle, often softened by white chocolate or milk powder. This is a great entry point for those new to matcha.
  • Rich and vegetal taste?: Some products feature a more pronounced matcha, with its vegetal notes and a slight bitterness. These options will appeal to discerning green tea lovers.

3. The Format: For a Solo Break or to Share?

Packaging is a practical criterion that shouldn't be overlooked.

  • Individual wrappers?: Perfect for portion control and for taking your matcha snack to the office or on the go without it losing its crispness.
  • Single pack?: More social, this format is ideal for family snacks, evenings with friends, or to accompany an anime session.

Our Recommended Matcha Biscuits

Now for our recommendations, featuring biscuits with distinct profiles to satisfy every craving.

KitKat Matcha Flavour Cookies

KitKat Matcha Flavour Cookies

Why it stands out?: The matcha KitKat combines the brand's iconic crispy wafer texture with a delicious matcha green tea coating. A reliable choice that blends the familiar with a touch of the exotic.

Highlights:

  • Texture?: Light and crispy wafers.
  • Flavour?: A well-mastered balance between the sweetness of the coating and the vegetal notes of matcha.
  • Format?: The pack contains 10 individually wrapped biscuits, an ultra-practical format for on-the-go breaks and for keeping them perfectly crisp.

Who is it for? Ideal for fans of the classic KitKat who are curious to try a new flavour, as well as for anyone looking for an easy matcha treat to slip into their bag for a delicious break at the office or school.

Glico Pocky Rich Matcha 52.8g

Glico Pocky Rich Matcha

Why it stands out?: The matcha Pocky is a true institution in Japanese snack culture. This "Rich Matcha" version promises a more intense flavour experience, with a generous, creamy coating on a crunchy biscuit stick.

Highlights:

  • Texture?: The contrast between the crunchy biscuit stick and the smooth, creamy coating.
  • Flavour?: A pronounced and creamy matcha taste, true to the "Rich Matcha" name.
  • Great for sharing?: The stick format is fun and perfect for sharing.

Who is it for? For lovers of authentic Japanese biscuits and shared moments. It's the perfect snack to pull out during a movie night, a video game session, or to introduce friends to Asian flavours.

Franzzi Matcha Mousse Chocolate Flavoured Cookies 115g

Franzzi Matcha Mousse Chocolate Flavoured Cookies

Why it stands out?: This biscuit is distinguished by its sophisticated design: two crispy shortbread cookies sandwiching a soft matcha-flavoured mousse filling. This one is closer to a small matcha cake.

Highlights:

  • Texture?: A dual sensation, with the crumbly shortbread and the soft, melting mousse centre.
  • Flavour?: The product description mentions a "double matcha formula" (matcha powder and green tea powder) for a rich and lasting flavour.
  • Indulgence?: A richer, more substantial biscuit, ideal for a refined tea or coffee break.

Who is it for? For foodies seeking a more complex experience than a simple dry biscuit. The perfect choice to accompany a hot drink for a more refined and comforting matcha treat.

Looking for other flavours?

The world of sweet treats doesn't stop at matcha. If you've been won over by these vegetal notes, why not explore other horizons?

? Discover our complete collection of sweet chocolate biscuits and other treats to find your next favourite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What's the difference between a matcha KitKat and a matcha Pocky? It's all about texture and format! The matcha KitKat is a coated, crispy wafer, offering a light and airy sensation. The matcha Pocky is a solid, crunchy biscuit stick covered in a creamy frosting. The choice depends on your preference: the crispiness of a wafer or the crunch of a denser biscuit.

2. Is the taste of a matcha biscuit very bitter? Rest assured, generally not. Unlike the pure matcha used in tea ceremonies, the kind used in confectionery is almost always softened with sugar, milk powder, or white chocolate. This tames its natural bitterness to create a balanced flavour that is both vegetal and sweet, appealing to a wide audience.

3. How should I store my matcha biscuits? To preserve their crunch and flavour, store them in a cool, dry place, away from light and strong odours. Once the pack is opened, seal it tightly with a clip or, even better, transfer the biscuits to an airtight container.