Because matcha is revered for its health benefits and clean energy, we love trying new ways of featuring it in food and drink preparations. However, one of our favorites still remains the classic matcha latte.
Read on to learn how to make delicious matcha lattes at home (hot and iced) in just a few minutes, complete with step-by-step instructions. Plus, customize them easily with delicious milk and sweetening options.
What is a Matcha Latte?
A matcha latte is a tea latte made with matcha and steamed milk. Matcha replaces the espresso in a traditional café latte, giving it a brilliant green color and slightly bitter flavor, that is perfectly balanced by the rich and creamy milk.
A matcha latte differs from a green tea latte in that it is made with pure matcha (unsweetened), whereas the green tea latte is made with sweet matcha (powder blend made of sugar and matcha).
A matcha latte is a tea latte made with green tea powder and steamed milk. Matcha replaces the espresso in a traditional cafe latte, giving it a brilliant green color and lightly bitter flavor.
Choosing the Best Matcha for a Matcha Latte
Color is a crucial indicator of matcha quality. High quality matcha will have vibrant green color which equates to strong levels of benefit-rich content including chlorophyll and antioxidants. Aroma should be fresh and vegetal or grassy. Conversely, subdued aromas or varied hues of yellow-green or brown-green tones could indicate oxidation as well as compromised aroma, flavor, and beneficial compounds.
Choosing the Best Milk for a Matcha Latte
While a matcha latte can be made with any type of milk, there are definitive front runners that yield best results:
· Whole milk. The best dairy milk is whole milk. The higher fat content steams and froths the best, making the most textured latte.
· Oat milk. Oat milk’s creamy texture and frothing ability makes it the best of the non-dairy milk options.
Adding Flavor to a Matcha Latte
When sweetening a matcha latte, it’s easy to customize with a flavored sugar or sugar alternative. Some of our favorites include Rose, Cinnamon, or Vanilla Turbinado sugar, Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener, and Orange Blossom, Lemon or Himalayan Salted honey.
Try experimenting with the following flavor variations when preparing the recipes featured below:
· Vanilla Matcha Latte – use Vanilla Turbinado Sugar as the sweetener. For more intense vanilla flavor, use a vanilla-flavored oat or almond milk in place of traditional milk.
· Chai Matcha Latte – use Chai Sugar as the sweetener.
· Strawberry Matcha Latte – try Teak & Thyme’s Strawberry Matcha Latte recipe made with fresh strawberries.
· Pineapple Matcha Latte – use Pineapple Sugar as the sweetener. For even more tropical vibes, use unsweetened coconut milk in place of traditional milk.
· Blueberry Matcha Latte – use Wild Blueberry Sugar as the sweetener. Garnish with fresh blueberries.
Sugar-Free Matcha Latte –avoiding traditional sugar? Sweeten with raw, natural honey or monk fruit sweetener.
How To Make Matcha Latte with a Milk Frother
Meet your latte's new best friend! No fancy milk steamer? No problem! Our convenient, handheld Milk Frother makes preparing a hot or iced matcha latte at home as easy as 1..2..3! Use it to whip up rich, creamy froth for all your favorite beverages – from matcha lattes and cappuccinos to hot cocoas to protein shakes.
See below recipes or the Matcha Latte recipe card for step-by-step directions.
Easy Iced Matcha Latte Recipe
6 oz milk of choice
2 tsp sweetener,* optional
1 cup +/- ice
3 oz cold water
1½ tsp Matcha
Prepare milk. To a 16-ounce glass add milk and sweetener (if using). Using a Milk Frother, combine and aerate. (Alternately, shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker or sealed Mason jar, then transfer to a 16-ounce glass.) Add ice.
Prepare matcha. In a small glass or resealable jar (like an 8-ounce Mason jar), add cold water then matcha. Combine using a Milk Frother (or seal jar and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.) Add prepared matcha to iced milk. To achieve a layered effect, slowly pour matcha directly onto the ice cubes (rather than into the milk). Stir before drinking.
Easy Hot Matcha Latte Recipe
8 oz milk of choice
1 tsp sweetener,* optional
1 tsp Matcha
2 oz hot water at 175˚F
Prepare milk. To a small saucepot (6-inch) add milk and sweetener (if using). Stir frequently over low-medium heat to gently warm mixture. Do not allow to simmer or boil. Frequent stirring will prevent milk solids from settling and burning on bottom of pot. When heated, aerate mixture with the Milk Frother to desired volume.
Prepare matcha. Heat water in a kettle to 175˚F. Portion heated water and matcha in a large mug. Whip until frothy using a Milk Frother or matcha whisk. Add frothed milk and stir.
Embrace Your Inner Culinarian or Tea Connoisseur!
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