Thai Tea vs. Matcha Bubble Tea: Flavor, Caffeine and Color Compared

Published October 5, 2026 · By Friend's Corner Tea & Snack Bar · 6 min read

Thai tea and matcha are two of the most-ordered tea flavors at any bubble tea shop, and they could hardly be more different. One is bold, spiced and bright orange. The other is earthy, smooth and vivid green.

If you keep switching between them at the counter of Friend's Corner Tea & Snack Bar in Highland, NY, this guide is for you. We compare where each comes from, how they taste, how much caffeine to expect and which one might suit you better.

What Is Thai Tea?

Thai tea, known in Thailand as cha yen ("cold tea"), is a strong black tea that is brewed dark, sweetened and mixed with milk. It is a staple of Thai street food stalls and restaurants, where it is often poured over crushed ice and topped with a swirl of evaporated milk.

The tea used is a robust black tea. Many commercial Thai tea blends also include flavorings such as vanilla or spices like star anise. The drink is usually sweetened with sugar and sweetened condensed milk, which gives it a rich, almost caramel-like body.

Why is Thai tea orange?

Brewed black tea alone is reddish brown. The famous bright orange color of Thai tea comes mostly from the tea mixes popular in Thailand and abroad, many of which include added food coloring. Milk then softens the color into the creamy orange shade people recognize instantly.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea made from tea leaves that are shaded before harvest, then steamed, dried and stone-ground into a very fine powder. Unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves and throw them away, with matcha you drink the whole leaf, whisked into water or milk.

Matcha has a long history in Japanese tea ceremony, but in recent years it has become popular in lattes, desserts and bubble tea all over the world. In a matcha bubble tea, the powder is mixed with milk and sweetener and served over ice with tapioca pearls.

Why is matcha green?

Shading the tea plants before harvest increases the chlorophyll in the leaves, which gives good matcha its bright, natural green color.

Flavor Comparison

Thai tea in one sentence

Thai tea tastes like a rich, sweet, creamy iced tea with hints of vanilla and caramel. If you like sweet iced coffee, chai lattes or anything dessert-like, Thai tea is an easy favorite.

Matcha in one sentence

Matcha tastes fresh, earthy and slightly grassy, with a smooth, mellow body when mixed with milk. If you like green tea, unsweetened lattes or less sugary drinks, matcha is the one.

Caffeine: Which Has More?

Both drinks contain caffeine, because both are made from the tea plant. Exact amounts vary a lot with how much tea is used, so think of these as general guidelines:

• Black tea, the base of Thai tea, typically has around 40 to 50 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz brewed cup.
• Matcha can have a similar or higher amount per serving, because you consume the whole powdered leaf rather than an infusion.
• For comparison, an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee typically has around 95 mg.

Many people say matcha gives a calmer, steadier kind of energy. Matcha naturally contains L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea that is often associated with that feeling. Either way, both are usually gentler than a strong coffee. If you would rather skip caffeine entirely, look at fruit flavors made without tea or a Filipino classic like sago gulaman.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Thai tea if...

• You have a sweet tooth and like creamy drinks
• You enjoy bold, strong tea or coffee flavors
• You want a classic that pairs perfectly with chewy pearls
• You love the flavor of Thai restaurants' iced tea

Choose matcha if...

• You already love green tea or matcha lattes
• You prefer drinks that are not too sweet
• You like earthy, fresh, slightly bitter flavors
• You want a tea drink with a calmer caffeine feel

Still undecided? Order one of each in our 16 oz size and swap halfway through. It is the quickest way to settle the debate.

Thai Tea and Matcha at Friend's Corner

Both Thai Tea and Matcha are on our bubble tea menu in 16 oz and 22 oz. In colder months, our winter hot drink menu also includes a Chocolate Matcha, which combines rich chocolate with green tea for a cozy, sweet twist. Read more about it in our guide to hot milk teas and winter drinks.

If you are exploring more tea flavors, try Jasmine for something floral and light, or Classic milk tea for the original bubble tea experience. Our guide to the best flavors for first-timers has more ideas.

Common Questions

Is Thai tea the same as milk tea?

Thai tea is a type of milk tea, but it has its own distinct flavor and color from the specific black tea blend and the use of condensed milk.

Is matcha healthier than Thai tea?

Matcha bubble tea is often made a little less sweet than Thai tea, and matcha itself contains antioxidants found in green tea. But both are sweet drinks when served as bubble tea, so enjoy either one as a treat.

Which is better for first-timers?

Thai tea is usually easier to love at first sip because it is sweet and creamy. Matcha is a great second step, especially for green tea fans.

The Verdict

There is no wrong choice. Thai tea is bold, sweet and comforting; matcha is earthy, smooth and refreshing. The best way to decide is to taste both. Visit Friend's Corner Tea & Snack Bar on Main Street in Highland, NY, or order online for carryout and try them side by side. If you are more of a coffee person, see our guide to lattes, cappuccinos and mochas.