Sweet, creamy and healthy, a hot matcha latte is a perfect alternative for your morning coffee and will keep you full of energy all morning long. Ready to make a nutritious and rejuvenating matcha latte part of your routine?
Matcha is growing into popularity because of its associated health benefits, and its vibrantly Instagrammable colours. Local coffee shops and big brands such as Starbucks and Dunkin introduced matcha latte drinks years ago, with the drink continuing to be in great demand.
There are plenty of methods and ways with which you can make matcha latte. You could use traditional methods, with bamboo whisk (or without if you don’t have these tools available). Hereby a recipe containing both options for matcha latte!
What is matcha latte?
Matcha latte consists of matcha (a powder extract made from green tea leaves with plenty of health benefits), water and hot milk. The drink can optionally be sweetened with some honey, maple syrup or vanilla syrup. The type of milk used can also vary depending on your preference, plus of course the actual amount used. It’s so versatile, this drink can be made 100% vegan-friendly.
Matcha green tea latte offers plenty of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, a wide range of health benefits. Because of this, the interest in matcha lattes is growing all over the world. Discover more about matcha health benefits.
What does matcha latte taste like?
A high-quality matcha latte is a milky frothy drink, giving you a very soothing and at times, creamy taste. It should have a vegetal lingering aftertaste, and some people say it creates an umami flavour, while others say it evokes more a spinach taste.
Small changes to ingredients can have big impacts on the taste. Different matcha grade, differences in milk used (such as whole milk, oat milk), and even the type of added sweetness (honey, syrup) creates an entirely different experience. The measurements used in the recipe are not an exact science – feel free to experiment to match(a) your preference.
Does matcha latte have caffeine?
Matcha green tea naturally contains caffeine. In our study matcha vs coffee, we conclude A single serving of matcha green tea contains about 19–44mg caffeine while that in a single serving of coffee contains about 95 mg caffeine, more than twice of the caffeine present in matcha.
Is matcha latte healthy?
Naturally, matcha has plenty of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, which are of course all wonderful for our body. Basically, the list of matcha health benefits is long. You consume the whole green tea leaf, which is full of antioxidants, making matcha more effective for purification of the body compared to other traditional teas. Let’s have a look at this healthy matcha latte recipe:
4 easy steps to follow
How to make matcha latte
step 1
1/2 teaspoon of matcha
step 2
Add warm water
step 3
Stir to dissolve
step 4
Add your choice of hot milk
How to make matcha latte with a whisk
Tips on how to make the perfect matcha latte
- Don't boil the water or milk Green tea and also matcha are sensitive against high temperatures, as a result of that, the matcha will have a bitter flavour. A rule of the thumb is to use water of a maximum of 80°C. Use a temperature-controlled kettle or allow to cool down the liquid sometime after achieving the boiling temperature.
- Use good quality, ceremonial grade matcha. The overall matcha quality is a major factor to make or break your perfect matcha latte. Ceremonial grades tend to be more expensive, the outcome is a smoother, umami flavour that results in a better quality matcha latte at home. (see more about matcha grades)
- What milk goes best with Matcha latte? How to make creamy matcha latte? Whole milk (around 3.5% fat) develops a thicker creamier foam and smoother softer and more rich flavour, while low-fat and skimmed milk (below 1% fat) generates more bubbles. Experiment to create a result that satisfies you the most. Alternatively replace the milk by almond, coconut or soja to convert matcha latte 100% vegan.
Why is Starbucks matcha latte so sweet?
Besides the traditional ingredients, Starbucks uses a matcha tea blend, a mix of matcha powder and sugar. According to the nutrition label on the Starbuck’s website, a Grande Green Tea Latte has 32g of sugar. Another reason is that often a matcha latte in Starbucks is sweetened with additional syrup.
For home preparation, the taste experience of matcha itself depends on multiple aspects like the grade, location of the harvesting farm and forms of consumption. A bitter taste and an overwhelming vegetal flavour are mostly related to a lower matcha grade or badly stored matcha.
Equipment
- bamboo whisk
- strainer
Materials
- 1 tsp matcha powder high quality
- 2 tbsp hot water not boiling
- 1 cup hot milk
- 1 tsp honey optional
Instructions
- Sift matcha into a cup using a small strainer.
- Add the hot water. Make sure the water is not boiling anymore
- Whisk zigzag-style to removing any certain clumps while mixing it gradually.
- Mix together with the hot milk and optionally honey.
