Matcha latte is an indulgent drink which blends the earthy taste of green tea with the creaminess of milk. It is incredibly easy to make and is a great way to start the day. The green tea leaves used to make this delightful beverage are rich in antioxidants which can help you feel more energised.
Try our version if you're looking for a matcha latte recipe to make this delicious earthy drink at home. We've tasted and tested various green tea powders and whisking methods to bring you the ultimate brew. Our delectable recipe is easy to make at home and costs less than you would pay for a cup of Starbucks matcha latte.
Furthermore, it tastes better than any store-bought version because you can use the freshest ingredients to make it. Even better, you can experiment and customise it to your liking. Ultimately, you can make your very own version of the iconic Starbucks matcha latte.
And finally, you can make this ahead of time, so it will be ready whenever you want it. You can bring it to work, school, or even the gym. So skip that trip to Starbucks, save money, and let's learn how to make matcha latte at home. You'll be glad you did.
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What is a matcha latte?
A matcha latte contains finely grounded green Japanese tea leaves (matcha powder), water, and milk. The drink is then often sweetened with honey or syrup. It is not just milk since green tea powder, and other ingredients are added. The type and amount of milk you use can differ according to your preference.
Are matcha lattes healthy?
This comforting beverage is relatively healthy when you leave artificial sweeteners or any form of sugar out of the recipe. The drink is scientifically proven by Healthline to help with weight loss by curbing your appetite and reducing body fat.
Other studies from Healthline have also suggested that green tea powder improves the body's fat-burning ability, increasing weight loss. It is also known to contain antioxidants that help protect the cells in your body.
Matcha latte caffeine is natural without any additives or chemicals. So, you'll get an energy boost without the uncomfortable crash associated with other caffeinated drinks like soda. In addition, matcha latte benefits are plenty, so it's OK to drink a cup or two of it daily - especially if you skip the artificial sugar and use low-fat milk. All in all, a matcha latte is good for you.
Is matcha latte healthier than coffee?
Yes, a matcha latte is healthier than coffee. Although green tea and coffee have caffeine, green tea leaves contain an amino acid that slows the 'caffeine crash' most people experience with coffee.
The stable level of energy resulting from our tea-infused drink is a consequence of a slow and gradual release of caffeine. In comparison, coffee tends to result in a quick buzz that might make some feel sick or uncomfortable. Coffee also contains a higher concentration of caffeine in comparison to the latter. This amount might be too much for some. For a gentle yet energy-boosting drink - this latte is the answer!
Matcha calories
Starbucks matcha latte calories are a whopping 240 kcal. In comparison, our matcha latte recipe has a mere 140 calories. So if you want a drink that will boost weight loss and provide a much-needed energy buzz, it's time to try our recipe.
Matcha latte ingredients
Here are the matcha latte recipe ingredients: green tea powder, warm milk, filtered water, and sweetener.
Matcha
There are many different green tea brands that you can choose to make your green tea latte. However, whichever brand you like, we recommend purchasing ceremonial-grade matcha powder. The complex flavours of the ceremonial grade powder will intensify the drink and add more subtle sweet notes. You will usually see that this powder is a vibrant dark green.
However, try premixed matcha latte powder if you want to save time and still want a delicious beverage. It might make the drink taste slightly artificial, and you won't be able to control the sugar level if it's already pre-sweetened. But it will save time. Also, you can skip the milk and other ingredients if you use a premix. Some people also prefer culinary-grade powder, but it will yield a slightly more bitter taste. Our hot matcha latte recipe will use ceremonial grade powder and a milk of your choice.
Sweetener
Sweeteners are not a must. You can skip it entirely to preserve the raw green tea flavour. However, you have many options if you want to sweeten your drink. For example, you can try simple syrup, maple syrup, white sugar, brown sugar syrup or coconut sugar, agave, or a substitute like tapioca syrup.
Honey is a popular option too. However, remember that honey can mask the taste of green tea. If that's what you like, because you feel green tea by itself is too bitter, then go for it.
Milk
You can use any milk. You can use full-fat, semi-skimmed, or unsweetened for your green beverage. If you like it sweeter, you can also use sweetened milk. However, for a hot matcha latte recipe, we recommend you use non-dairy full-fat milk. We will use coconut milk in this recipe. It yields a creamy drink, which is delightful when you want a satiating beverage to fill you up in cold weather.
Although dairy milk froths beautifully, plant-based alternatives are better for this beverage. The reason is that green tea leaves have a very delicate taste. Dairy milk has a strong smell and taste that can overwhelm the flavour of green tea. Therefore, alternatives like oat or coconut milk would go well with the mild flavour of the beverage.
However, if you insist on dairy milk, we suggest avoiding sheep, goat, as well as buckwheat milk. These are all poor choices because they can be too rich and overtake the subtle flavours of the latte. Additionally, avoid using rice or sesame milk in your green tea drink, as they taste bitter. They will overwhelm the taste and fragrance of the drink. For iced drinks, go for skimmed milk instead if you want a lighter, refreshing beverage.
Ice
Ice is required to brew an ice matcha latte recipe. The ideal ratio you can use to make an ice-cold beverage is ¼ of ice to ¾ of water. Of course, you can use more ice cubes, although this may dilute your green tea drink.
Water
Ensure you use filtered (or purified) water when making your matcha latte. Filtered water has fewer minerals, whereas hard water contains more minerals. The minerals affect the green tea's taste and give the drink a slight metallic taste. To filter tap water, simply boil it. Or you can also buy bottled water for your latte.
Avoid mixing boiling water directly with your green tea powder. Boiling water destroys the taste and makes the drink bitter. The optimal temperature is 80 degrees Celsius or 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
Different Milk with Matcha Latte
We highly recommend that you use plant-based milk for your matcha latte recipe. The taste and texture of your earthy beverage may be affected depending on the milk that you use. So, let's look at how the milk types will differ.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is naturally a little sweet, so it will not overwhelm the delicate taste of the green leaves. To make oat milk frothy, heat it for a minute at a low-medium temperature and use an electric milk frother. Although, with this option, you will likely get less foam. The foam disappears faster than you get when you froth dairy milk, but it will still result in a nice, silky finish.
Almond Milk
Almond milk pairs well with green tea but is not as sweet as oat milk when mixed. Similarly to dairy milk, it yields a rich texture but with a sweeter and lighter taste. You can also make it froth, although the final result may not be as creamy as dairy milk.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is another popular choice because it's the only non-dairy milk that yields a rich and creamy foam. However, some people do not like soy milk. They feel that the bean taste overwhelms the green tea flavour, and when mixed, the drink tastes like grass.
Coconut Matcha Latte
Adding coconut milk to the earthy drink results in a thin and runny texture, so using it with an iced matcha latte recipe might be better. However, it also does not froth due to its watery consistency. The good thing is that it doesn't overwhelm the green tea flavour, resulting in a light and refreshing drink.
How to make matcha latte ahead of time
If you want to make a matcha latte ahead of time, you can easily do so.
First, whisk the powder in a bowl with below 80 degrees Celsius water. You can use water that is cooler if you prefer, but not water that is hotter than 80 degrees Celsius. Boiling temperatures will make the green tea taste bitter.
Use an up-down movement to get all the lumps out of the powder. You can whisk the green tea powder with a matcha whisk more easily. If you don't have a specialised whisk, sift the green tea powder with a sieve instead.
Next, heat water in a saucepan until simmering, then add the milk and sweetener. Froth the sweetened milk with a whisk or an electric milk frother. Then, heat the milk over low heat for 2-3 minutes to ensure it is hot after whisking it before pouring it into a mug. Finally, add the whisked green tea powder to the milk.
You can easily make the recipe beforehand, whether you prefer an iced or hot drink.
How to store
You can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a microwave oven or a saucepan over medium-low heat when ready to drink. For an iced matcha latte recipe, add ice to the reheated drink. Add ¼ of ice to ¾ of water. It's best to drink green tea beverages as soon as possible.
Green tea gets bitter if left to oxidise for a few days. Therefore, properly store your green tea powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. If you do not use it often, store it in the fridge. However, if you drink it daily, store it in a cool cupboard, keeping it away from your oven or other heat-emitting kitchen equipment. Heat and humidity will cause the green powder to clump together, and whisking it may become helpless.
Cooking Tips
To make a fantastic cup of this Japanese green tea drink, you'll need to heed our cooking tips on how to make matcha latte. We've tested them to ensure you can make a wholesome beverage that you will love.
How to make a matcha latte (smooth and clump-free)
The best way to make a matcha latte smooth and clump-free is first to use a matcha whisk to sift the green tea powder. The Japanese invented this bamboo whisk (known as a chasen). It is meant to break up the lumps in green tea powder so you can make a smooth drink.
When whisking green tea powder with a bamboo whisk, pump the tool into the glass using a vigorous up-and-down motion. Do not use circular movements because that will not break up the green tea powder enough. The benefits of using a chasen are that the whisk will not scratch the bottom of the mixing bowl.
However, you can also use a regular whisk, an electric milk frother, or even a blender. They will yield similar results as the equipment will help to stir and make green tea powder clump-free. That said, owning and finding a bamboo whisk that you like to use is an experience in itself.
There are Japanese bamboo whisks of different string counts and thicknesses. Many tea experts buy different whisks to experiment with what they like. It is also the most authentic way of drinking tea in Japan, so if you have the budget, consider purchasing one.
Hot matcha latte recipe tips
Using boiling water to make your hot matcha latte might be intuitive, but you should not. Excessive heat destroys the taste of green tea powder and makes the drink bitter. The optimal temperature is 80 degrees Celsius or 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
This theory goes for milk as well. Avoid heating the milk above 70 degrees Celsius or 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If the milk is boiling, the green tea drink turns bitter. Therefore, use a thermometer or heat the milk until it simmers (not boiling).
A quick way to get the desired temperature is to boil your filtered water. Then pour what you need for the drink into a cup, and pour it again into a second cup. This re-pouring will cool the water and make a perfect green tea drink.
Iced green tea latte recipe tips
While we recommend using 80 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature, some experts prefer cooler water. If you like green tea's earthy, umami taste, you will need to use water that is as cold as possible. Cold water brings out the flavour and fragrance of green tea powder more.
Here is an excellent iced matcha latte recipe:
- Leave your boiled, filtered water in the refrigerator for at least half a day. You can also put ice cubes into the water until you get it as ice-cold as you like.
- Aim for ¼ cup of ice and ¾ cup of cold water for a perfect mix.
- Add the green tea powder and the milk. Mix well and enjoy.
Alternatively, you can skip adding the iced water and just add cold milk directly. Adding only milk means you can whisk it to get a smooth foam, making the drink aesthetically pleasing.
Matcha Latte Recipe (Hot or Iced) Clump free
Ingredients
- ½ -1 teaspoon matcha about 5 ml
- ¼ cup water about 60 ml
- ¼ cup warmed coconut milk
- Sweetener of choice optional
Instructions
- Heat water over low-medium heat in a saucepan until it simmers. Add the green tea powder into a bowl. Add ½ of the water from the saucepan and whisk the mixture in an up-down motion until you see no clumps.
- Add milk and sweetener to the rest of the water in the pan and heat again. Once the mixture is simmering, switch off the fire. Froth the sweetened milk.
- Pour frothed milk into a cup, then add whisked green tea from the first step. If you want to be fancy, add a dusting of green tea powder before you serve. Stir the drink well, and voila! Your matcha latte recipe is done, and you are ready to serve.
Notes
- If you do not have a matcha whisk, one way is to use a regular whisk or a blender. Another way is to put the green tea mixture into a mason jar. Shake the mason jar vigorously.
- Remember to use only filtered water (see section above).
- If you are using green tea powder you bought previously, check whether it is still fresh for consumption. It should not have an overly bitter taste. Do note, though, that green tea powder does not expire, per se. However, the powder does have a best-by date. After this 'best-by' period, the powder loses its savoury, earthy notes. It will also look greenish and dull and taste overly bitter. Of course, you can still use it, but you will need to put in more sweeteners.
- Store green tea powder in the fridge (not the freezer) in an airtight container. Once exposed to air, the powder becomes very bitter. So try to use it as often as possible before it reaches the use-by date.
Nutrition
Calories have been calculated using an online calculator. Nutritional information offered on Honest Food Talks is for general information purposes and are only rough estimations.
Other variations
This refreshing beverage is an excellent alternative to coffee for an energising drink. How about combining chai with a green tea latte? Both go wonderfully together. The steps are similar if you want to make a matcha chai latte. You'll just need to add ½ cup of chai concentrate to the green tea drink. This creates a yummy chai latte that is infused with spicy notes.
We recommend a strawberry matcha latte recipe if you want to experiment with fruits. Simply puree fresh strawberries in a food processor, or use a fork. Then add the strawberry puree to a glass before pouring your matcha latte atop the mixture. Another sweet treat is a blueberry matcha latte. You follow the same steps but with blueberries instead!
When to enjoy
The smooth and creamy drink can be a light, refreshing treat on a hot day when served cold. But, when served warm, it can also warm you up on a cold night! We like to drink matcha latte on its own, savouring the subtle notes and creamy milk. But you can also pair it with light snacks. Because the drink contains caffeine, we recommend drinking it before lunch or pre-workout. If you drink it late at night, you may not be able to fall asleep.
Green tea is a great way to start your day if you have a long work day ahead. The caffeine in it can help you stay focused and alert, even if you're tired. Plus, you can customise it and add fruits or other ingredients like chai. You can make it sweeter or switch up the milk and find the perfect blend for you.
If you enjoy brewing such drinks or want to try new recipes such as matcha milk tea, follow us on Instagram @honestfoodtalks! You will find many more delicious drink recipes for you to try!
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