Matcha in Missoula
Our day started early at 5:15 and included a three hour layover in Minneapolis. We finally arrived in Missoula in mid-afternoon tired and desperately in need of caffeine before our four hour drive to West Yellowstone. Finding a latte for my husband is pretty easy but finding my drink, an almond milk matcha — the only drink I can have besides herbal tea — is much trickier. We figured it might be easier in a college town of this size. We were wrong.
The first matcha was at Nitro Coffee, one of those tiny drive-up kiosks. It had caffeine but was incredibly bitter. If you’re new to matcha, bitterness is a sign of a low grade matcha. I only got 10 sips in before having to pitch it out. We started looking for a new place. This is when we discovered the Missoula has loads of tiny drive thru kiosks which feature lots of sugary drinks — sugar is terrible for my well-being so I avoid at all costs. After scrolling past kiosk after kiosk, we finally found a place that looked promising.
Next we went to Lake Missoula Tea Company, which is a combination of a tea shop and a kitchen boutique. It’s super adorable. If we had more time I would have done a bit of shopping. This places was so promising. Sadly their only alternative milks were a locally made oat milk or an almond and coconut milk blend. The oat was too carb-y for me and the blend was too coconut-ty. After a bad experience with coconut yogurt, I was eager to stay away. If they had a pure almond milk this would have been a solid matcha. And if you find a place that uses this brand, you can be sure this is a solid matcha without any extra sugar. The alternative milk brands they use are top notch too.
Still on the hunt for good a good latte for my husband who was driving we stopped at one last place — Butterfly Herbs which is a general store with a coffee shop in the back. While he was waiting I was musing to the barista that I was struggling to find a good almond matcha. “We have one. You should try it.” He replied. My drink! Thrilled at my luck, I quickly ordered. It was incredible. One of the best “travel” matchas I’ve ever had. (Travel matchas are those in places away from home when I’m traveling. I have lower expectations for them.) Not only that but I’d drink this matcha at home. I was delighted. Once we’d gulped our drinks down, we hit the road feeling much more energized and ready to tackle a long drive ahead.
If you’re Missoula and looking for matcha, skip the kiosks and head to Butterfly Herbs or if you want oat milk or an almond and coconut blend, check out Lake Missoula Tea Company.
As a general note, in Montana you have to watch for cane sugar in matcha powder. It’s surprisingly hard to avoid out here. So if you’re concerned about sugar in matcha, when in Montana, ask before you order.