Community Goods Matcha
Every matcha drink on our menu, current prices, what Rocky's Matcha actually is, and how to choose between matcha and hojicha.
Matcha is one of the most searched parts of our menu. This guide covers the matcha drinks we offer, their prices, ingredients, and what to know before ordering.
Community Goods Matcha Menu
| Drink | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Matcha Latte | $8.00 | Ceremonial grade matcha whisked with steamed milk |
| Matcha Flat White | $7.00 | Same matcha, less milk, more concentrated |
| Matcha Americano | $7.00 | Matcha with hot water instead of milk |
| Hojicha Latte | $7.50 | Roasted green tea latte, not matcha, but the closest alternative |
| Matcha Spänner | $8.50 | Matcha topped with sweetened cream, off our "I.Y.K.Y.K" menu |
| Matcha Tonic | $8.50 | Matcha over tonic water, off our "I.Y.K.Y.K" menu |
| Matcha Lemonade | $11.00 | Matcha shaken with lemonade, off our "I.Y.K.Y.K" menu |
Prices can change over time. The last three drinks aren't printed on the main board, so just ask for them by name. We're happy to make any of our matcha drinks iced too.
Rocky's Matcha
Rocky's Matcha isn't a drink name on our menu. It's the matcha we actually use. rocky's matcha is an independent matcha company founded in 2022, and we were the first cafe to carry it, a partnership that goes back to our early days as a business. We've been open since 2023.
We've also teamed up on limited retail collaborations: small tins of ceremonial grade matcha sold directly through rocky's matcha's own site rather than in our cafe. The most recent version is sourced from Yame, a region within Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture, and made from a blend of cultivars that includes Okumidori. Yame matcha has a different flavor profile than the more widely known Uji matcha, not better or worse, just grown in a different region with its own character.
If you've heard someone mention "Rocky's Matcha," this is what they mean: not a specific drink, but the matcha behind everything on this list. We haven't paired our hojicha with a named source the way we have with rocky's matcha.
Rocky's Matcha, quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it | The matcha brand we use, not a menu item on its own |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Our relationship | We were the first cafe to carry rocky's matcha, dating back to our early days |
| Current sourcing | Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Cultivar | Includes Okumidori |
| Grade | Ceremonial grade |
What Does Community Goods Matcha Taste Like?
Ours has a bright green color, a smooth texture, and a balanced, nutty flavor with a light umami finish, the kind of profile that comes from Okumidori cultivar matcha grown in Yame. It's not overly sweet, and it runs a little pricier than a typical matcha drink around town, which tracks with the more specific sourcing behind it.
Customers often describe it as some of the best matcha they've had in LA, though taste is personal, and we'd rather you try it and decide for yourself than take our word for it.
Community Goods Matcha vs Hojicha
Matcha and hojicha are both green tea, but they're processed differently, and it shows in the cup.
Matcha is made from shade grown tea leaves that are stone ground into a fine powder. It's whisked directly into the drink rather than steeped, which is why it has that bright green color and a thicker, more textured mouthfeel. It also carries more caffeine than most teas, closer to a cup of coffee.
Hojicha is roasted green tea. The leaves, and sometimes stems, are roasted after picking, which turns the color reddish brown and mellows out the grassy, vegetal notes matcha is known for. The result is a toastier, nuttier flavor and less caffeine than matcha.
| Matcha | Hojicha | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Shade grown tea leaves, stone ground | Roasted green tea leaves and stems |
| Color | Bright green | Reddish brown |
| Flavor | Grassy, umami | Toasty, nutty |
| Caffeine | Higher, closer to coffee | Lower |
| Latte price | $8.00 | $7.50 |
| Spänner price | $8.50 | $8.00 |
If straight matcha reads too grassy or intense for you, hojicha is the easier entry point in a similar milky format.
What Matcha Should You Order?
| If you are... | Order | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A first time matcha drinker | Matcha Latte | $8.00 |
| Someone who wants a strong matcha taste | Matcha Americano | $7.00 |
| Looking for something sweeter | Matcha Spänner or Matcha Lemonade | $8.50 to $11.00 |
| A non-matcha tea drinker | Hojicha Latte | $7.50 |