Da, the well-loved independent coffee shop with homes in both Cardiff and Swansea, is launching a new matcha menu featuring 100% Ceremonial grade matcha tea.
With matcha consumption rising by over 200% in the UK since 2023 and consumers increasingly seeking healthier alternatives to traditional coffee drinks, Da’s timing couldn’t be better. This new menu highlights what Da does best, creating quality drinks (and in Cardiff, delicious food too) using local ingredients and making items from scratch rather than using pre-made mixes.
What makes Da different from your typical coffee shop isn’t just their Coaltown Coffee (roasted just up the road in Ammanford), but how they make the majority of their items from scratch. Now, they’re bringing this same approach to matcha, the Japanese green tea powder that has become a global wellness sensation known for its antioxidant properties and natural energy boost without the jitters often associated with coffee.
“At Da, our name means ‘good’ in Welsh, but our philosophy is about pursuing excellence in everything we create,” says Dylan, Head Chef at Da Cardiff. “We could easily buy pre-made syrups like everyone else, but that’s not what we’re about. We take the time to craft our own syrups from Welsh fruit using a traditional Korean technique called ‘cheong.’ This method partially ferments the fruit as sugar levels increase to stop the fermentation process, with no heat applied to keep the syrup tasting as close to the natural fruit as possible. It’s more work, but you can really taste the difference.”
Dylan’s commitment to scratch cooking extends beyond syrups to include hand-made butter, jams, chutneys, relishes, and mayonnaise, all prepared with the same dedication to quality and local sourcing that defines Da’s approach to food and drink.
What’s On Offer
The new matcha selection includes:
- Pure Ceremonial Matcha: 100% Ceremonial grade Japanese matcha, whisked by hand the traditional way with organic Welsh milk. Available at both Da Cardiff and Swansea.
- Seasonal Fruit Matchas: The menu will evolve throughout the British summer season, with different fruit options rotating as they come into season. Current seasonal offerings include strawberry, blueberry and mango, crafted in-house using the traditional Korean ‘cheong’ technique available exclusively at Da Cardiff.
Each can be paired with Da Cardiff’s food menu featuring a range of home-made items including an organic granola bowl, soba noodle salad and an American style pancake stack.
Since opening in 2023 in Cardiff’s Central Square, Da has become more than just a coffee shop, it’s a celebration of Welsh food and drink. While Da Cardiff offers a full food menu and hand-made fruit syrups, the Swansea location focuses on perfecting its drinks offering as the newest coffee shop in town. Both share the same commitment to quality and the authentic preparation of 100% Ceremonial grade matcha.
“We’ve spent the past two years figuring out what matters to us and our customers,” adds Dylan. “With matcha, we wanted to do it right. That means taking our time with each step – sifting and whisking in the traditional way, not just throwing powder in milk and calling it Matcha. Whether you’re in Cardiff enjoying our food or in Swansea just grabbing a drink, we put the same care into everything we make.”
The new matcha selection launches at both locations this week, offering a premium matcha experience whether you’re in Cardiff or Swansea.
