This story was researched and written by Fresh Cup in partnership with our sponsor, Matcha Rio.
Matcha menus are increasingly diverse and creative, and customers are buying matcha drinks for different reasons and occasions. A hot latte, a blended frappe, and a functional beverage each perform a different role on the menu, and David Rio, a San Francisco-based chai and tea supplier, says they each need their own matcha blend.
Matcha Rio is the company’s new brand offering three unique matcha blends to serve the range of customer needs. Barista Blend is an unsweetened matcha powder sourced from the Kagoshima region on Kyushu Island in Japan. Frappe Blend is made specifically for iced and blended drinks. Super Blend combines matcha with functional ingredients chlorella, moringa, and wheatgrass, and is lightly sweetened with agave.
Matcha Rio joins the David Rio family of brands, which includes David Rio Chai and Tea and Soup Latte.
We spoke with Rio Miura, co-founder and creative director at David Rio, to learn why the company is building a standalone matcha brand and how operators can use each type of matcha.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What made this the right moment to launch a Matcha Rio line with three products, instead of a single matcha product inside the existing David Rio brand?
Today’s consumers are looking for more than basic matcha offerings. They want creative drinks, quality, wellness benefits, and memorable cafe experiences. By launching the three blends at the same time, we intend to meet the need for traditional matcha beverages, blended drinks, and functional wellness beverages under one cohesive brand.
Matcha Rio was thoughtfully created as a dedicated brand, rooted in authentic Japanese perspective. We always seek to honor the culture, craftsmanship, and hospitality traditions that were present throughout my upbringing in Japan.
Do you foresee coffee shops using all three of the matcha products, or did you conceive them to each suit a different style of cafe?
Some cafes may choose to focus on a single SKU, but we believe many of them could find value in offering all three, because they each serve distinct purposes.
Our Barista Blend is the foundation. It’s an unsweetened, premium matcha that gives baristas complete creative control. Hot or cold drinks, high-end specialty beverages or mocktails, matcha themed baked goods—anything goes with this staple ingredient.
The Frappe Blend, our sweetened, creamer-free mix, helps operators create consistent iced and frozen drinks with less preparation time. It delivers the smooth mouthfeel and balanced flavor profile customers are looking for in iced and blended matcha drinks.
Super Blend serves the growing demand for functional beverages by combining matcha with chlorella, moringa, and wheatgrass.
The Super Blend contains chlorella, moringa, and wheatgrass. Why those ingredients?
When we were developing Super Blend, we wanted to complement matcha’s natural nutritional profile with ingredients that are already well recognized in the wellness community. Our goal was to create a balanced beverage that appeals to consumers who are seeking functional, plant-forward options.
We chose chlorella, moringa, and wheatgrass because each brings its own beneficial nutrients while working harmoniously with matcha’s fresh, vegetal notes. Together, they support the product’s “better-for-you” positioning while still prioritizing taste and drinkability. It’s also sweetened with agave, providing an option with a lower glycemic index compared to other sweeteners.
How are coffee shops making drinks with the Matcha Rio products?
Preparation can vary depending on the product and the goal.
Our unsweetened Barista Blend offers the most flexible base. Baristas can choose to whisk, shake, or mix the powder with water or milk before adding syrups or other ingredients. It works great in seasonal beverages, cold foams, and refreshers.
The Frappe Blend is designed specifically for iced and blended beverages. Baristas simply combine it with the chosen base, add ice, and blend to create a smooth and consistent frozen matcha drink.
Super Blend was designed to be approachable behind the bar and doesn’t require traditional rapid matcha whisking—just a light whisk to mix with any liquid—so preparation is quick and easy. It works well in hot or iced drinks and provides a versatile foundation for wellness-focused menu items.
Across all three products, the goal was to make preparation approachable for operators, deliver high-grade Japanese matcha flavor, and create a consistent customer experience.
What’s your favorite way to drink matcha?
At David Rio, we often find the simplest preparations most rewarding. One of our favorite ways to enjoy matcha is as a hot matcha latte.
Our favorite recipe is to whisk 3 grams of matcha with cold milk until completely smooth. Then add your freshly steamed milk of choice to create a rich, creamy latte. Starting with cold milk helps create that silky texture we love and allows the matcha to incorporate fully, creating a smoother, more balanced beverage that highlights the character of the matcha.
And what’s the most creative matcha drink you’ve seen made with Matcha Rio?
We’ve seen matcha inspire an incredible range of beverage creations, anything from fruit-forward refreshers to matcha soft-serve shakes. For anyone looking for inspiration, you can check out our growing collection of recipes.
Sponsored by Matcha Rio by David Rio
Matcha Rio is a line of premium Japanese matcha products offered by David Rio, the San Francisco based creator of craft chai and tea beverages, offering its products to cafes and foodservice operators.
