Japanese Green Tea & Miami - Green Tea Sommelier's Selfish Guide

Bienvenido a Miami, the Magic City!

Have you been to Miami? It's a popular destination with its stunning beaches and big-city appeal, two things that can be incongruent with each other, but Miami somehow makes the combination work. Famed for being a playground, if not outright home, to the rich and famous, Miami clearly has so much more to offer. 

 Sign I Found on a Street... I Love the Relaxed Feeling Here

During my recent visit, I was curious to see if the article claiming a tea renaissance in Miami had any merit. I'm always up for checking out the green tea experience in the places I go, so I was eager to see how the green tea trend was faring in Miami.

When you think of Miami, green tea probably isn't the first beverage to come to mind. Understandably, the cafecito or Cuban espresso is the primary drink to experience to be able to say that you properly imbibed the culture of the city. Cocktails like daiquiris and mojitos would most likely come in second, considering Miami's party atmosphere - again, another Cuban influence. (Check out my article for visiting Cuba here) 

 At Little Havana, even the MacDonald`s Sign Feels Like Miami!

Still, there is an underlying tea culture that is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to the younger population's hipster preferences and the healthy lifestyle warriors' campaign for a more wholesome diet. No matter the reason for Miami's thriving green tea market, I was determined to get a firsthand experience of the city's distinct offerings of my favorite drink, and I made it my mission to find the best green tea places and their top menu choices to share them all with you.

MATCHA FAVES (Angelina’s - Midtown)

One of the best places to visit for a superb matcha experience is Angelina's Eatery + Cafe in Midtown, one of Miami's major urban shopping areas. You can start your day there since this charming place is known for its amazing breakfast and brunch menus. These are conveniently available all day, or, at least, until mid-afternoon. Store hours are from 8am to 3pm.

I can always appreciate a cup of perfectly brewed ceremonial-grade matcha, and it was clear to me that Angelina's Eatery + Cafe definitely knew how to do matcha right. Their Matcha Lattes are absolutely delightful, made with high-quality, vibrant matcha and tailored to individual preferences. The menu includes a comprehensive list of beverages available, and matcha is also offered as a booster for the other drinks. I really like that concept of offering matcha and other healthful ingredients like chia, spirulina, goji berries, etc. to further fortify a drink.

These matcha-laced drinks wonderfully complement Angelina's Eatery + Cafe's breakfast and brunch fare. There is a wide selection of dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options. The menu considerately includes pertinent indications such as spicy, keto-friendly, organic, and etc., so you can be sure to make informed choices to guarantee your satisfaction.

Angelina's Eatery + Cafe is pretty casual, but its design is very chic. I really enjoyed the comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, the attractive decor, and the friendly staff. You can tell that it's a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. Good thing outdoor seating is also available.

Angelina’s - Midtown
@angelinascafemiami
3451 NE 1st Ave #102b
Miami, FL 33137
(786) 494-9623

MATCHA MAGIC (AVO Miami)

Located in Sunset Harbour Shops on Bay Rd, AVO Miami is a must-visit for those who love fresh, hearty, and innovative cuisine. While everything on the menu is wholesome, the list offers a lot of variety. There are plenty of choices for all, no matter their preference or sensitivity. I found my food to be healthy, tasty, filling, and thoroughly satisfying. It's just the ticket if you want fortification before a day of touring or replenishment after a tiring itinerary.

This is a terrific place to visit any time of the day or evening. I love how the water is a mere stone's throw away. They have outdoor seating, too, so you can take full advantage of a gorgeous Florida day.

If the outdoor tables are all occupied or if you're up for some respite from the bright sunshine, there's no need to feel like you're missing out on the harbor vibe. AVO Miami's interior complements its location, boasting an attractive combination of natural materials and modern design. Its ambiance is beachy without the kitsch. In fact, the interior is very tasteful and elegantly invigorating, suffused as it is with greenery. The overall effect is inviting, cozy, and laid back.

Besides its delicious, wholesome dishes, AVO Miami is also known for its refreshing beverages, particularly its Matcha Latte offerings. On its menu is the classic Matcha Latte, made even healthier with the use of top-grade green tea powder and coconut sugar. Meanwhile, those seeking a fresh twist to the drink can opt for Blue Matcha, its bright blue hue coming from the marvelous butterfly pea. Like its green equivalent, it's also made with the finest ingredients and packed with antioxidants.

AVO Miami offers so much more than excellent food and drinks. You can tell that the welcome you receive is genuine and that the place aims to be a haven for those in pursuit of healthy and enjoyable living through delicious and nutritious food.

Avo Miami
@avomiami
1834 Bay Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 397-8881 

MATCHA ADVENTURES (Vanilla Café)

In most cities, downtown is where it's at, and this is certainly true for Vanilla Cafe. There's no doubt that you'll want to visit this area, so if you'd like to start your day here or brace yourself for more activities (because there's always plenty to do downtown, and this one is right near the water too), I strongly recommend that you stop by Vanilla Cafe for some breakfast or dessert.

It's a lovely space with a vibrant verdant motif (green walls, green counters, green tables, green ceiling…), reinforced by plants hanging everywhere, their leaves trailing down from overhead. It's all very appealing and refreshing to the eyes.

As attractive as the interior is, the number one eye-catcher in the place is the cake display chiller with its mouthwatering array of cakes and pastries. Vanilla is definitely a fitting name for this cafe since its selection of baked goods is an extra sumptuous list. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll find this cafe absolutely thrilling.

Since I'm all about green tea, I checked the menu for a matcha-infused dessert, and I was very pleased to note the offering of Matcha Cheesecake. I immediately sought it out in the display case and found this divine green and brown confection. No doubt about it, it was also absolutely delectable.

As awesome as the cheesecake was, I got even more excited by the variety of matcha drinks available on the menu. First and foremost, there's the Ceremonial Matcha that's prepared in the traditional way with high-quality matcha and the special utensils for creating that full-bodied flavor and smooth texture. It goes really well with sweets and functions as a palate cleanser to boot.

Then there were the cold matcha concoctions that were really genius. Of course, they have their Matcha Latte, which you can get hot. If you want a cold version, their Iced Matcha is very revitalizing. Also served cold is their Blue Matcha. Like AVO Miami's, this is also made with butterfly pea flowers. They got extra creative, though, and came up with Matcha Grape and Matcha Lemonade, which are also available in blue. With all the matcha you can experience there, Vanilla Cafe was really a delightful stop for me.

Vanilla Cafe`s Ice Blue Matcha, Matcha Lemonade, and Matcha Grape 

Vanilla Café
@vanillacafe.us
9422 NW 109th St
Medley, FL 33178
(305) 902-7972

MATCHA FLORIDA (Navi Coffee & Flowers)

Did you know that "florida" is Spanish for "flowery?" If you want to experience matcha in a setting abundant with flowers, make sure to visit Navi Coffee & Flowers in Coconut Grove. Now, Coconut Grove, or "The Grove" as it's more popularly referred to, is a point of interest in itself. It's an upscale area with everything from a state park with a mangrove forest to a museum, a sailing club, a multitude of chic shops and sidewalk cafes, etc.

On the subject of sidewalk cafes, Navi does have outdoor seating, so customers can enjoy the balmy weather and feel the ocean breeze blow in from just a couple of blocks away. Add the profusion of beautiful flowers, and you feel like you're in paradise. Add the amazing matcha drinks, and it's virtually heaven on earth.

Navi offers regular Matcha Tea, but there's nothing regular about its quality. The matcha is a hundred percent pure, sourced from generational green tea farmers in Japan. The preparation of  Navi's Matcha Tea is authentically traditional so the purists can rest assured that everything about the matcha they're drinking is correct.

Nonetheless, if you simply like matcha's flavor and you're open to fusing it with a fruity element, Navi Coffee & Flowers offers a cold version of the tea fused with its homemade yuzu lemonade. Yuzu is a kind of citrus that looks a lot like a clementine. It's mainly available in East Asia. The combination with matcha is a winner; if you're curious, Navi will let you experience it.

Ice Matcha Tea with Homemade Yuzu Lemonade & Matcha Latte with Coconut Milk

The yuzu lemonade and coconut milk varieties of Navi's matcha drinks are summer specials. Still, you have to remember that it can be summery in Florida all year round, so these drinks won't necessarily be incompatible with the winter months.

Although Navi makes fantastic matcha drinks and is very much committed to the matcha experience, its coffee offerings are incredible. Even though the shop is relatively new, having just opened earlier this year, it has already established a reputation for excellent coffee.

Navi sources its coffee beans from small-lot farmers in Cusco. This reminds me of my trip to Peru and my experience with the country's rich and colorful coffee culture. You can read all about it.

In any case, with its offer of beverages, baked treats, and flowers, Navi presents an exceptional selection of products in one shop. The space itself is sublime, matching the choice and classy feel of the neighborhood without sacrificing cozy comfort. The staff manifests passion and demonstrates knowledge while also exuding warmth and friendliness. All these elements make for a delightful visit, and I'm pretty sure I'll be back.

Navi Coffee & Flowers
@navi.miami
3213 Grand Avenue
Coconut Grove
Miami, FL 33133

FINAL THOUGHTS

I count myself lucky that I get to see different places and indulge my obsession with green tea at the same time. It's wonderful to be able to see these different establishments and be inspired by their concept and the work that was put into carrying the vision for their being.

Besides that, I also find it gratifying to see evidence of how green tea, particularly matcha, has won the world over.

So, this wraps up the Miami guide. Since I truly enjoyed the city's bienvenida, I just bade it "hasta luego" instead of "adiós." Without a doubt, I hope to see it again soon.

FAQs about Japanese Green Tea in Miami

Where can I actually find good Japanese tea in Miami — is it just at sushi restaurants? Miami is hot most of the year — what's the best way to drink Japanese green tea in that climate? Are there Japanese tea ceremonies or workshops in Miami where I can learn? How does Miami's water affect green tea brewing — is the tap water OK? Cuban food is everywhere in Miami — does Japanese green tea pair with it at all?

Where can I actually find good Japanese tea in Miami — is it just at sushi restaurants?

Sushi restaurants are usually the lowest-effort option but not the highest-quality one — most serve a generic teabag-grade sencha that's fine but not memorable. The better picks in Miami right now are independent specialty cafés in Wynwood and the Design District, plus a few hotel lobbies (the Setai and Mandarin Oriental have surprisingly good matcha programs). Whole Foods carries a few Japanese tea brands but the freshness is hit-or-miss.

If you want premium tea consistently, the most reliable route in any U.S. city — Miami included — is mail order from a Japanese-owned tea company. Tea oxidizes fast once a bag is opened, so what you brew at home from a tin you opened last week beats most coffee-shop matcha by a wide margin.

Don't sleep on the Japanese grocery stores in North Miami either. Mitsuwa-style markets stock matcha and sencha that's freshly imported, often with prices well below what cafés charge for the same quality.

Miami is hot most of the year — what's the best way to drink Japanese green tea in that climate?

Cold brew, full stop. Hot tea in Florida summer is a hard sell, but cold-brewed Japanese green tea is honestly where the cup tastes best anyway — the lower extraction temperature pulls more L-theanine and less astringency, so the result is sweeter and more refreshing than hot brew. Pour into a glass over ice and you have something better than 90% of bottled iced teas you'd find at a Miami café.

The ratio is simple: 10g of sencha (煎茶) per 1 liter of cold filtered water, steep in the fridge for 4–6 hours, strain. The leaves can be re-steeped once or twice (each time adds a different layer of flavor). For matcha, shake it cold with ice in a thermos for 30 seconds — that's a Miami afternoon drink in 90 seconds flat.

Hojicha (ほうじ茶) cold brew is the underrated move for hot weather — caramel-roasted notes, very low caffeine, won't keep you up after dinner. Sencha is the morning drink, hojicha is the dinner drink, and both work cold.

How to Cold Brew Japanese Green Tea - The Expert Advice

Read more

Are there Japanese tea ceremonies or workshops in Miami where I can learn?

There are a few. The Miami Beach Botanical Garden hosts occasional tea-ceremony demonstrations through their Japanese-culture programming, usually tied to seasonal events like New Year or cherry-blossom season. The Morikami Museum (technically Delray Beach, about an hour north) is the main hub for chanoyu in South Florida — they run regular ceremonies and beginner workshops in their authentic Seishin-an tea house.

If you want to start at home rather than waiting for a workshop, the basics are easier than they look. Our six-step intro to the Japanese tea ceremony walks through what each part means, and you can practice the matcha-whisking part on your own with a matcha + chasen (茶筅) whisk set before you ever sit in a formal ceremony.

The honest truth is that Miami isn't a tea-ceremony town the way Los Angeles or San Francisco are. But the practice is more about presence than place — you can hold a meaningful tea moment in any kitchen with the right intention.

Matcha and Chasen Whisk Gift Set $74.00 $66.00 /

How does Miami's water affect green tea brewing — is the tap water OK?

Miami's tap water is on the harder end of the U.S. spectrum — high mineral content, slightly chlorinated, often with a noticeable taste profile. It works for hojicha and bolder teas where the tea flavor masks the water, but for gyokuro (玉露) or premium sencha, the minerality competes with the umami and you lose the subtle notes you paid for. The catechins also bind to calcium, which dulls the cup.

Easy fix: use filtered water (a Brita or a faucet filter is enough — you don't need bottled). For tea-ceremony-grade matcha, spring water in a glass bottle is the gold standard, but daily drinking doesn't need that. Avoid distilled water — it's actually too pure and pulls the tea flat in the other direction. Our guide to water and Japanese green tea goes deeper on the chemistry if you want to dial it in.

If you only fix one thing about your home brewing in Miami, fix the water. Same leaves, same temperature, filtered vs. tap — the difference is bigger than most people expect.

Gyokuro - Shaded Imperial Premium Green Tea From $60.00 /

Everything You Need To Know About Water And Japanese Green Tea

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Cuban food is everywhere in Miami — does Japanese green tea pair with it at all?

Honestly better than you'd think. Hojicha (ほうじ茶) pairs beautifully with ropa vieja and braised meats — the toasted, caramel notes echo the slow-cooked depth without competing. Genmaicha (with toasted brown rice) works with arroz con pollo and Cuban black beans the same way. Both are forgiving teas that don't get overwhelmed by garlic, citrus, or cumin.

For Cuban sandwiches and lighter pork dishes, a cold-brewed sencha cuts through the fat in a way iced black tea can't — the L-theanine sweetness balances the salt and the astringency cleans the palate between bites. It's the same logic that makes sencha work with sushi, just transposed onto a different cuisine.

Where I'd avoid Japanese green tea is with very sweet Cuban desserts (tres leches, flan) — the dairy and sugar swamp the tea entirely. There hojicha latte or a black tea is a better match. But for the savory side of Cuban cuisine, Japanese green tea slots in surprisingly naturally.

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