Matcha Tasting in Zurich — What to Expect at KTeaShop's Five Senses Experience

You've probably seen it on Instagram. A quiet room. A bamboo whisk. Bright green foam rising in a ceramic bowl. Someone sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, sipping something that looks almost too beautiful to drink.

That's a matcha tasting. And in Zurich, there's exactly one place where you can experience the real thing — guided by a certified Tea Sommelier.

But what actually happens when you book one? Here's the complete, honest guide.

It Starts Before You Walk In

Most people find us the same way: they type "matcha tasting Zurich" into Google, click through to our page, and book a session. Some come because a friend told them it was the most relaxing 90 minutes they've spent in the city. Others come because they love matcha and want to go deeper. 

The Five Senses Journey

Our signature experience is called the Five Senses of Matcha. It's not a lecture. It's not a cooking class. It's a guided journey through matcha using all five of your senses, led by Shane Kim, a certified Tea Sommelier and Tea Master.

Here's what each sense looks like

👁️

Sight

You'll start by comparing different grades of matcha side by side. Ceremonial grade versus culinary grade. Japanese versus Korean. The color differences alone tell a story — bright jade green means high chlorophyll content from shade-growing, while dull yellow-green means lower quality. Shane explains what to look for and why it matters.

🤚

Touch

You'll feel the matcha powder between your fingers. The finest ceremonial matcha feels like silk — particles ground to 5-10 microns, finer than talcum powder. You'll hold the chawan (tea bowl) and feel its weight and texture. Every bowl is handmade, and each one has a story.

👃

Smell

Before you taste anything, you'll learn to read matcha through your nose. Fresh ceremonial matcha smells like cut grass on a spring morning — sweet, green, alive. Stale matcha smells flat, like dried hay. Shane will guide you through comparing aromas and explain what the scent tells you about when and how the tea was processed.

👂

Sound

The whisking. This is the moment most people photograph. Using a traditional chasen (bamboo whisk), you'll learn the proper W-shaped whisking motion that creates the signature microfoam. The sound changes as the foam builds — from a watery slosh to a soft hiss. When it sounds right, it tastes right.

👅

Taste

Finally, you drink. And if you've never had properly prepared ceremonial matcha, this will surprise you. It's not bitter. It's not chalky. It's umami-rich, slightly sweet, and unbelievably smooth. The L-theanine creates a calm alertness that's nothing like coffee. You'll taste multiple grades and preparations, learning to identify the differences.

What's Included in Every Session

Who Books a Matcha Tasting?

Honestly? Everyone.

You don't need to know anything about matcha. You don't need to speak Japanese. You just need to show up curious.

Your Guide: Shane Kim

Certified Tea Sommelier & Tea Master

Shane Kim isn't just someone who likes tea. He's a certified Tea Sommelier and Tea Master, trained in both Japanese and Korean tea traditions. He's guided hundreds of guests through the Five Senses journey, and his passion for tea is immediately obvious from the moment you walk in.

Location & Directions

KTeaShop
Vulkanstrasse 110C, 8048 Zurich

How to get here

🚆 Train: 5-minute walk from Altstetten station (S-Bahn lines S3, S12)
🚃 Tram: Tram stop Altstetten
🚗 Car: Limited street parking available
📍 GPS: 47.3910°N, 8.4888°E

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