Sweet Aft Matcha
Learn how matcha is measured, sifted, and whisked during this hands-on session hosted by The Foodie with drinks prepared by expert baristas from The Grounds Club.
Event Info
Sweet Aft Matcha is a guided tasting and preparation session hosted by The Foodie, with support from expert baristas from The Grounds Club. The event introduces sailors to matcha’s history, production, and preparation while allowing them to make their own bowl using traditional tools. Participants also sample three contrasting matcha drinks alongside a selection of sweet pairings. Created and produced by Georgie Hastie Creative.
Event Details & Pricing
Sweet Aft Matcha is a paid event and was priced at $35 per person during our sailing. The session combines a guided tasting with a practical preparation workshop, covering both traditional matcha techniques and more contemporary drinks. The ticket includes three matcha pours, the hands-on activity, and a selection of accompanying snacks.
What to Expect
The session begins with an introduction to matcha, including its origins, production process, and the factors that affect flavor and quality. The Foodie guides the discussion, while The Grounds Club baristas prepare and serve three different matcha drinks.
Participants are served a traditional matcha, an iced strawberry matcha latte, and a hot, foamy matcha latte sweetened with honey. The three pours demonstrate how matcha can vary in strength, texture, temperature, and sweetness depending on how it is prepared.
The event also includes a hands-on preparation exercise. Each participant receives matcha powder, a measuring spoon, fine-mesh sifter, bowl, and bamboo whisk. Guests measure and sift the matcha before adding water and whisking it themselves, following guidance from the hosts. This provides a practical introduction to the preparation process rather than limiting the session to tasting alone.
The drinks are accompanied by matcha cookies, white chocolate shavings, flavored mochi candies, and a chia-based dessert. These are presented as pairings intended to highlight or soften matcha’s earthy and sometimes bitter notes.
Highlights Include
- Three matcha pours prepared by expert baristas from The Grounds Club.
- A traditional matcha, an iced strawberry matcha latte, and a hot foamy latte with honey.
- A guided introduction to matcha’s history, production, and contemporary use.
- A hands-on session in which participants measure, sift, and whisk their own matcha.
- Use of traditional preparation tools, including a bamboo whisk, bowl, measuring spoon, and sifter.
- Sweet pairings including matcha cookies, white chocolate, mochi candies, and a chia dessert.
- An accessible format for both regular matcha drinkers and those trying it for the first time.
How to Book
Sweet Aft Matcha can be booked through the Virgin Voyages app after boarding the ship. Capacity is limited, so early booking is advisable. For more information about reserving and managing onboard events, see the Booking Events & First Come First Serve Events guide.
Overview
Sweet Aft Matcha combines education, tasting, and practical preparation in a structured small-group session. Its strongest element is the opportunity to compare several matcha styles while also learning how to prepare the drink from powder using traditional tools. The involvement of The Grounds Club baristas adds technical guidance, while the three contrasting pours show how widely matcha can vary depending on ingredients and method.
The event is suitable for sailors with little previous experience as well as those already familiar with matcha. Rather than presenting the drink as a single flavor profile, the session demonstrates its range through traditional, iced, and latte-based preparations.
