Originating in China in the 14th century before finding its way to Japan in the 16th century – where the bulk of it is still produced today – matcha has become a coffee shop staple around the world over the last 10 years.
But more recently, especially in Dubai's creative cafes and restaurants, the caffeine-dense ingredient has been integrated into a multitude of different sweet and savoury dishes.
Its earthy flavour often prompts a love or hate reaction. It is often sweetened in latte, so that those looking for its antioxidant properties can still reap its health benefits. The vibrant green colour of matcha is also part of the appeal, especially for experimental chefs.
Here, The National taste tests some of the unique flavour combinations featured around Dubai.
Matcha burger sauce and fries at Eat Flare
This Emirati-owned restaurant is known for its creative combinations of Nashville-style chicken burgers across five emirates. The menu has been boldened by a new addition – the matcha bundle.
The bundle consists of a matcha beef Wagyu burger (Dh39) and matcha chicken fries, with a side of crinkle cut fries with fried chicken drizzled with matcha garlic sauce.
The subtly sweet matcha paired with salty beef is a nice combination. The sauce has the earthy matcha flavour with an underlying taste of garlic, which formed an flavourful pairing with the melted cheese and tangy pickles.
The sauce with the chicken and fries was unusual, the taste of matcha somehow felt more prominent, overruling any hint of garlic in the sauce, which can be an acquired taste.
Verdict: It's an interesting take on the trend, but perhaps matcha pairs best with either a sweet taste profile to balance its earthiness or a distinctly salty one to bring out its sweetness.
Various locations across the UAE
Infused rose cake at Baoli Dubai
Inspired by the city of Isfahan in Iran, executive chef Omar Basiony has created a complex flavour profile with this Isfahan rose cake and culinary-grade Japanese matcha (Dh70), combining Mediterranean and East Asian flavours.
The dessert consists of a rose spongy milk cake with a cold scoop of lychee sorbet, topped with a foam-like matcha mousse and a crunchy meringue.
“What's difficult is that it's very defined and its flavour stands out in most dishes,” Chef Basiony told The National. “It's exciting to experiment with matcha beyond its traditional uses.”
The cold sensation is the first thing that jumps out. The creamy rose milk cake pairs well with the sharp yet sweet lychee sorbet, the floral and fruity flavours harmonising well with the earthy matcha.
Verdict: This dessert is akin to having a cold, refreshing drink on a hot summer's day. The milky cake, cold sorbet and soft mousse melt together with every bite. This creative combination is a joyful adventure from beginning to end.
J1 Beach, Dubai
Pistachio Bostock at Nala
Nala cafe's culinary director and chef, Jill Okkers, chose to have a mild mix of both savoury and sweet matcha in her Pistachio Bostock (Dh45). It is soft French brioche bread layered with raspberry jam and pistachio, coated in batter and baked like a cookie. Once baked, the pastry is topped with a vanilla matcha mascarpone and more raspberry jam.
“It's like having a cookie for your breakfast,” said general manager and chef Sangiwe Khumalo. “The matcha mascarpone goes well with pistachio and it's not too powerful. It doesn't overpower the pistachio, so all the flavours just come together.”
Nala also has a pistachio matcha latte (Dh32). It's a creamy and sweet treat and great with the Bostock.
Verdict: The two flavours most apparent in the Pistachio Bostock were the tart raspberry jam and the creamy matcha mascarpone, a bittersweet interplay of ingredients. This treat is for those who prefer their breakfast on the sweeter end.
Al Quoz, Dubai
Matcha-infused drinks at Bkry
For a twist on the traditional matcha latte, Bkry's iced coconut mango matcha (Dh42) and iced matcha with blueberry lavender cloud foam (Dh39) are ideal summer coolers.
The tropical coconut and mango flavours bring out matcha's sweetness, which was a nice take on the ingredient. Blueberry and lavender weren't quite as overpowering, but a nice flavour combination nonetheless.
Verdict: Both drinks were a welcome addition to the well-established matcha latte, elevating its taste without erasing its essence. However, the coconut mango matcha was the game-changer to be added to the regular orders.
Al Quoz, Dubai
Matcha-drizzled Japanese pancakes at Lazy Cat
Sweetness is often needed to offset matcha's naturally bitter taste and the Japanese pancakes (Dh50) at this Dubai cafe manage to do this without being too sweet.
A milky matcha sauce flows over the stack of thick, fluffy pancakes with a texture that's akin to jelly, finished with a dusting of matcha powder. The dish is so picture-perfect, it's almost painful to cut through.
Verdict: Lightly sweet and filling, it's the perfect combination of sweet and savoury. It's filling, so perhaps best served for breakfast rather than dessert. Although, there is a 40-minute wait time for this dish, it is worth the wait.
Al Quoz, Dubai
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
Specs%20
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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