Mako Matcha Mill grinds tea leaves in Portland's West End
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Be ready for a line when visiting Mako Matcha Mill. Photo: Meira Gebel/Axios
A new matcha cafe is now open in Southwest Portland's West End neighborhood, grinding its own dried, shade-grown tea leaves on site.
The big picture: Mako Matcha Mill is receiving the same amount of buzz — including hour-plus waits — as Project Matcha, which opened in Central Eastside last spring, luring in hordes of customers with Instagram-friendly drinks and high-quality tea.
Zoom in: The sleek, modern interior space, once occupied by sweet shop Cacao, features the countertop matcha mill where tea leaves sourced from Japan are milled to a fine, dust-like texture leaving the room smelling sweet and earthy.
- Co-owners Edison Zeng and Emily Dewey told Bridgetown Bites they're currently growing matcha in Salem, in collaboration with Minto Island Tea Co., and hope to offer it soon to customers.
The intrigue: What sets Mako apart from other local matcha shops is not only their dedication to the production element of matcha itself, but its prices.
- Matcha lattes start at $4 for 12 ounces, a rarity these days in part due to a global shortage.
- Other menu items include a plethora of other teas, like hojicha, oolong, jasmine, white peony and more. Choice of milk and add ons, such as cold foam and specialty syrups, are also available.
If you go: Mako Matcha Mill (414 SW 13th Ave.) is open daily from 9am to 6pm.