KFC UK has entered the matcha era. On 20 July 2026, KFC added two brand-new matcha drinks to its Kwench specialty drinks range making it one of the biggest UK fast food chains to permanently serve ceremonial-grade matcha. Whether you’re a matcha enthusiast or just curious what all the fuss is about, this guide covers everything: both flavours, exact prices, what matcha KFC uses, calories, and how to order them.
New KFC Matcha Drinks: Now Permanently on the Menu
Launched 20 July 2026 · Ceremonial-grade PerfectTed matcha · Dairy or Oatly oat milk · Available UK-wide and on delivery
KFC UK now serves two permanent matcha drinks, Iced Vanilla Matcha (£3.99) and Iced Strawberry Shortcake Matcha (£4.49). Both use ceremonial-grade PerfectTed matcha prepared fresh daily in-store. Available with dairy or Oatly oat milk at participating KFC restaurants, via the KFC app, and on Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
KFC Matcha Drinks UK: Both Flavours Explained
£3.99 Iced Vanilla Matcha
Ceremonial-grade Perfect Ted matcha combined with luxurious vanilla syrup for a smooth, creamy, balanced finish. The cleaner, more classic option, ideal if you want to taste the matcha clearly without a fruit layer on top. Available with dairy milk or Oatly oat milk.
Best for matcha purists
£4.49 Iced Strawberry Shortcake Matcha
Ceremonial-grade matcha layered with vanilla syrup, real strawberry purée, and a shortcake crumb for an indulgent, dessert-style twist. The sweeter, more indulgent option, one of the most visually striking drinks on the KFC Kwench menu. Available with dairy milk or Oatly oat milk.
Best for sweet drink lovers
| Drink | Price | Key flavours | Milk options | Permanent? |
| Iced Vanilla Matcha | £3.99 | Matcha + vanilla syrup | Dairy or Oatly | ✅ Yes |
| Iced Strawberry Shortcake Matcha | £4.49 | Matcha + vanilla + strawberry purée + shortcake crumb | Dairy or Oatly | ✅ Yes |
These are Permanent menu additions
Unlike the KFC Crispy Naan range (which ends 23 August), the Kwench Matcha drinks are joining the KFC menu permanently. You can order them any time from any participating KFC restaurant going forward.
What Matcha Does KFC UK Use?
This is the detail that sets KFC’s matcha drinks apart from most fast food competitors. Both drinks are made daily in-store by the KFC team using ceremonial-grade matcha supplied by PerfectTed.
PerfectTed is a UK-based matcha brand that has become one of the most recognized premium matcha suppliers in Britain. They source ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan, the highest quality grade of matcha, made from young tea leaves ground to a fine powder.
Ceremonial grade is typically reserved for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and high-end cafés. The fact that KFC is using this grade rather than culinary-grade matcha which most chains use is a genuinely significant quality step.
PerfectTed was founded in the UK and gained national recognition after appearing on BBC Dragon’s Den, where they secured investment. Their partnership with KFC UK marks one of the biggest mainstream distribution deals for a premium UK matcha brand.
What is ceremonial-grade matcha?
Matcha comes in two main grades: ceremonial and culinary. Ceremonial grade uses the youngest, most tender tea leaves, is ground more finely, has a sweeter, less bitter taste, and contains a higher concentration of L-theanine (the amino acid responsible for matcha’s calm-focus effect).
Culinary grade is cheaper, slightly more bitter, and typically used in baking or blended drinks. KFC’s use of ceremonial grade means their matcha drinks are genuinely high quality not the cheap alternative you might expect at a fast food chain.
KFC Matcha vs Other UK Fast Food Matcha Drinks
KFC joining the matcha market is part of a broader trend across UK food and drink in 2026. Here’s how their offering compares to other major chains:
| Chain | Matcha drink | Price | Matcha grade | Oat milk option |
| KFC UK | Iced Vanilla Matcha / Strawberry Shortcake Matcha | £3.99–£4.49 | Ceremonial (PerfectTed) | ✅ Yes (Oatly) |
| Starbucks UK | Matcha Latte / Iced Matcha | £4.45–£5.25 | Culinary grade blend | ✅ Yes |
| McDonald’s UK | No matcha currently | — | — | — |
| Greggs UK | Iced Matcha Latte | £2.75 | Standard | ✅ Yes |
| Costa Coffee UK | Matcha & Oat Latte | £3.95–£4.45 | Premium blend | ✅ Yes |
| Subway UK | No matcha currently | — | — | — |
At £3.99–£4.49, KFC’s matcha drinks sit below Starbucks but above Greggs in price. The ceremonial-grade PerfectTed matcha gives KFC a genuine quality advantage over Starbucks despite the lower price which is a remarkable position for a fast food chain.
How to Order KFC Matcha Drinks UK
In-store
Visit any participating KFC restaurant and ask for a Kwench Matcha drink at the counter or select it on the self-service kiosk. The drinks are listed under the Kwench specialty drinks section of the menu. Specify whether you want dairy milk or Oatly oat milk when ordering.
Via the KFC app
Open the KFC UK app, select your nearest restaurant, and find the Kwench Matcha drinks in the drinks section. Ordering through the app also earns you Rewards points on every purchase — redeemable for free food and drinks.
For delivery
Both matcha drinks are available through Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats at participating restaurants. Note that delivery platform prices may be slightly higher than in-store prices. For the cheapest option, order through the KFC app for collection. See our full KFC delivery UK guide for a comparison of all delivery platforms.
Participating restaurants only: The Kwench range including the new matcha drinks, is not yet available at every single KFC in the UK, though the rollout is nationwide.
If your local branch doesn’t stock them yet, check the KFC app to find your nearest Kwench-serving restaurant. The Kwench rollout is set to be available in all KFC restaurants nationwide and via delivery partners by summer 2026.
KFC Matcha Drinks: Health & Nutrition
Matcha has exploded in popularity in the UK in 2025–2026, partly driven by social media and partly by growing awareness of its health properties compared to coffee. Here’s what the science says and what to expect from KFC’s version:
What matcha contains
- L-theanine: An amino acid that promotes calm focus without the jittery crash of caffeine. Found in higher concentrations in ceremonial-grade matcha — which KFC uses.
- Caffeine: A matcha drink typically contains 70–80 mg of caffeine, similar to a standard espresso, but released more slowly, giving a smoother energy boost.
- Antioxidants: Matcha contains catechins, particularly EGCG, which are powerful antioxidants. Ceremonial grade contains more of these than culinary grade.
- Chlorophyll: The bright green color of matcha comes from chlorophyll, which has detoxification properties.
Calorie considerations
The exact calories for KFC’s new matcha drinks have not yet been published on the full nutrition sheet at time of writing. Based on comparable Kwench drinks and the ingredients listed:
| Drink | Est. calories | Main calorie source |
| Iced Vanilla Matcha (dairy) | ~180–220 kcal | Milk + vanilla syrup |
| Iced Vanilla Matcha (Oatly) | ~160–200 kcal | Oat milk + vanilla syrup |
| Iced Strawberry Shortcake Matcha (dairy) | ~250–300 kcal | Milk + vanilla syrup + strawberry purée + shortcake crumb |
| Iced Strawberry Shortcake Matcha (Oatly) | ~220–270 kcal | Oat milk + toppings |
Calorie estimates based on comparable Kwench drinks. We will update with exact figures once KFC publishes official nutrition data for these items. Check our full KFC calories UK guide for all verified nutrition data.
Lower calorie choice: The Iced Vanilla Matcha with Oatly oat milk is your lowest-calorie option. Skip the shortcake crumb and strawberry purée of the Strawberry Shortcake version and you save approximately 60–80 calories while still getting the full matcha and vanilla experience.
Why KFC Matcha Is a Big Deal for UK Fast Food
KFC becoming one of the UK’s biggest fast food matcha destinations is not accidental. It reflects several major trends converging in 2026:
- Matcha has overtaken coffee for Gen Z: Matcha searches in the UK increased by over 300% between 2023 and 2026. Younger consumers actively seek it out as a coffee alternative.
- PerfectTed’s influence: After their Dragon’s Den appearance, PerfectTed became the UK’s most recognized consumer matcha brand. Their KFC partnership brings ceremonial-grade matcha to mainstream audiences who might never visit a specialist café.
- KFC’s Kwench strategy: The surge in popularity of drinks such as matcha and bubble tea among younger consumers has led QSR brands to give their beverage offers a glow up. KFC’s Kwench range which already includes iced lattes, refreshers, and shakes is clearly designed to compete with McCafé and Costa Coffee for the drinks market.
- Social media virality: The Iced Strawberry Shortcake Matcha is designed to be visually striking — the layered pink and green drink is exactly the kind of content that goes viral on TikTok and Instagram. This generates organic marketing beyond KFC’s paid advertising.