Matcha and guava can be a killer menu combo, but it’s also easy to mess up in a shop setting: clumpy matcha, fruit that tastes flat after dilution, and “pretty layered” drinks that don’t taste consistent once customers stir them.
This SOP is built for operators who want a repeatable 16 oz build that staff can execute fast, with clear options for different shop setups. If you’re testing multiple builds this week, this guide is meant to help you compare them side-by-side (and standardize the winner).
What makes a matcha + guava fruit tea build work (use this to compare recipes)
Before you pick a method, evaluate your build on these four criteria:
Matcha texture: no grit, no floating green specks.
Fruit clarity: guava tastes bright, not “sugary-water.”
Dilution control: flavor holds up from the first sip to the last.
Speed + repeatability: a new hire can hit it during rush.
If your current build fails #1, fix matcha first. The fastest fix is usually sifting matcha before you make a matcha shot—Jade Leaf Matcha explains why clumps happen and why sifting helps in their guide on why matcha clumps and how sifting improves texture.
Ingredients and tools
Base ingredients (default)
Tea base (choose one):
Jasmine green tea (most fruit-tea friendly)
Plain green tea
Light oolong (if you want more backbone)
Guava:
Guava syrup (fastest, most consistent)
Guava puree (more “real fruit” feel, needs tighter batching)
Matcha:
Matcha powder + warm water for a matcha shot
Optional:
Tapioca pearls (boba)
Sweetener (if guava isn’t sweet enough at your shop’s dilution)
Acid (only if needed): a small amount of lemon/lime can brighten a flat guava—but don’t add it until you taste the final drink
Tools
Shaker cup + strainer
Scale (recommended) or consistent pump counts
Fine mesh strainer (for sifting matcha)
Whisk or electric frother (either works)
Pro Tip: If you’re training staff, make “sift matcha” a non-negotiable line in your station checklist. It prevents 80% of texture complaints.
Default SOP (16 oz): Matcha guava fruit tea (recipe) with boba
Target spec (what the finished drink should taste like)
Matcha: smooth, slightly creamy mouthfeel even without dairy
Guava: bright and aromatic
Sweetness: medium (not candy)
Dilution: stable for at least 10–15 minutes of sipping
Build formula (16 oz)
Cup: 16 oz
Tea base: 5 oz (150 ml) strong-brewed and chilled
Guava syrup: 1.5 oz (45 ml)
If your guava syrup is very sweet/thick, start at 1.0 oz (30 ml) and adjust after a staff taste test.
Matcha shot:
2 g matcha powder
2 oz (60 ml) warm water (not boiling)
Ice: fill cup 70–80%
Boba (optional): 60 g cooked tapioca pearls (about 2 oz / 1 large scoop)
Optional sweetener: 0–0.5 oz (0–15 ml) simple syrup or fructose (only if needed)
Step-by-step (staff-ready)
This build also works as an iced guava matcha drink when you use the layered service style and skip boba.
Prep the cup
Add cooked boba (if using).
Add guava
Add guava syrup to the cup.
Add ice
Fill the cup 70–80% with ice.
Add tea base
Pour in 5 oz (150 ml) chilled tea.
Quick swirl to distribute guava.
Make the matcha shot (do not skip this method)
Sift 2 g matcha into a small cup.
Add 2 oz (60 ml) warm water.
Whisk/froth until fully smooth (no dry pockets).
Finish: choose one of two service styles
Option A — Layered (best visual, slightly less consistent if customers don’t stir):
Pour the matcha shot slowly over the ice.
Option B — Shaken (best consistency, best for busy service):
Pour the matcha shot into the shaker with the drink.
Shake hard 8–10 seconds.
Strain back into the cup.
The layered approach matches what SHOTT describes in their iced guava matcha latte build order, but for most shops, the shaken version is easier to standardize.
QC check (before serving)
Visual: no matcha clumps floating.
Straw test: first sip should taste guava-forward; second sip should taste balanced, not watery.
Variants for common constraints (pick the one that matches your shop)
Variant 1: Guava puree (more fruit, more variability)
Use this if you want a “real guava” impression.
Replace guava syrup with 2.0–2.5 oz (60–75 ml) guava puree.
Keep tea base at 5 oz (150 ml).
If puree is tart, consider a small sweetener add (0.25 oz / 7–8 ml).
Operator note: Purees separate. If you batch them, standardize the stir/shake method and holding time.
Variant 2: Dairy-free / non-dairy friendly
This is already a fruit tea build, so it’s naturally dairy-free unless you add milk.
Keep the default build.
If you want a creamier drink without dairy, add 1 oz (30 ml) oat milk and reduce tea base slightly (to keep volume stable).
Variant 3: No boba (faster build, cleaner fruit-forward profile)
Remove boba.
Keep everything else the same.
Consider adding a second topping option (aloe, lychee jelly) if it fits your menu.
Variant 4: “Max matcha” for matcha-forward shops
If your customers love strong matcha:
Increase matcha to 2.5 g.
Keep water at 2 oz (60 ml) and whisk longer.
If you want the menu name to signal this clearly, label it as a guava matcha boba (or “Guava Matcha Fruit Tea + Boba”) so customers expect a matcha-forward profile.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t just dump more powder into cold liquid. You’ll get grit and remakes. Increase matcha only via a properly made matcha shot.
Batch prep and holding times (what you can prep vs what you shouldn’t)
Safe to batch
Tea base: brew strong, chill fast, store cold.
Guava syrup/puree station bottle: portion into a labeled squeeze bottle.
Matcha powder: pre-portion dry into single-serve cups (keep sealed to reduce moisture).
Don’t batch the finished drink
The drink will separate, lose freshness, and the ice/dilution math breaks.
Matcha prep note
Matcha degrades with light/moisture. Keep it sealed and avoid leaving open tins on the station.
QC checklist + troubleshooting
QC checklist (train this)
Ice level is consistent.
Tea base is chilled and brewed to the same strength.
Guava measurement is the same every time (scale or pumps).
Matcha is sifted and made into a shot.
Troubleshooting
Problem: gritty or clumpy matcha
Fix: sift matcha; make a matcha shot with warm water first; whisk until smooth.
Problem: guava tastes weak after 3 minutes
Fix: increase guava slightly (0.25–0.5 oz / 7–15 ml) or reduce tea by the same amount.
Also check ice: overfilled ice can dilute faster.
Problem: drink looks great but tastes inconsistent
Fix: default to the shaken service style.
FAQ
Is this a fruit tea or a milk tea?
It’s a fruit tea build by default (tea + guava + matcha). If you add milk, it moves toward a latte/milk-tea hybrid.
What tea base is best for guava?
Most shops use a green or jasmine base for fruit teas because it stays bright. If your guava is very sweet, a light oolong can add balance.
Can I use matcha powder directly in the shaker?
You can, but it’s riskier. The matcha shot method is more consistent and reduces clumps.
Next steps (if you want to tighten this SOP even more)
If you’re dialing in matcha quality for shop drinks, use BubbleTeaSuppliers.com’s guide on choosing matcha powder for a bubble tea shop so your matcha holds up in cold builds.
For related menu ideas, browse BubbleTeaSuppliers.com fruit tea SOPs and recipes and cross-reference with your current fruit lineup.