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Have you had a matcha latte before?
If you get your hands on a good matcha latte it is quite the treat. Creamy, sweet, with pleasant grassy, earthy notes. It’s an experience like none other – one you have to try for yourself.
The first time I tried a matcha latte at a good tea place, I didn’t like it. It tasted like I was drinking grass clippings. Then I discovered the power of a little bit of sweetener. All you need is the right amount of agave nectar or maple syrup and everything changes.
A mug full of gross bitter grass turns into a sweet creamy, fresh, cup of delight with a hint of grassy, earthy, vanilla notes that’s actually very pleasant. I have been making matcha lattes at home, for years, and I have been loving every sip. It’s time to share.
Let’s do this!
What is matcha green tea anyways?
Match green tea is made from baby green tea leaves. The baby green tea leaves are dried and then ground into a fine powder.
The difference between matcha tea powder and a bag of green tea, is that with a bag of green tea you are simply steeping the tea leaves into hot water and then discarding the tea bag. Whereas matcha green tea powder, you are consuming the actual tea leaves. Therefore the benefits of matcha green tea powder, versus a bag of green tea is significantly greater.
Health benefits of matcha green tea powder:
- antioxidants – matcha contains higher amounts of antioxidants than almost any other food. Antioxidants help fight off oxygen free radicals in your body, helping your body fight off cancer and other diseases.
- Detox – since you are consuming the actual green tea leaves, you are consuming a lot of chlorophyll, which helps detoxify the body of chemicals.
- Immunity – matcha contains a specific antioxidant, called EGCg, that helps fight off bacterial and viral infections
- Energy – Matcha does contain caffeine, but it also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which helps to slowly release that caffeine into your body, rather then all at once. If you suffer from caffeine jitters, or caffeine crashes when drinking coffee, you won’t get that with matcha.
- Calmness – L-theanine also helps to promote a state of calmness in your brain. Matcha gives you a calm energy boost.
And that is just the main health benefits of matcha green tea powder that it is famous for. If you want to read more, this is a good article.
Not all matcha green tea powders are created equal
I am no matcha green tea powder expert. I have tried a few out there, and trust me, some matcha is not worth buying. With matcha green tea powder you get what you pay for. Usually the higher price point, the better quality matcha you’re gonna get, which also means the better it will taste, and the more health benefits it will have.
When buying matcha green tea powder there are a few things you want to look for:
- organic – very important to the quality
- bright green color – stay away from dull green matcha, it’s a sign it’s not as fresh and won’t taste as good. Bright green color is key. Remember all that chlorophyll? The color is a good sign of how well the green tea leaves were handled in processing.
- grown in Japan – that is where matcha originated, after all
- culinary grade vs. ceremonial grade – traditional matcha is made using a ceremonial grade (generally just mixed with hot water), it’s usually more expensive. Culinary grade is a little less expensive and meant for cooking, baking, using in smoothies, or in lattes. Although, either would work for making a matcha latte it is good to know the difference and what you plan on using your matcha for.
- no sugar – no additives or sugar should be in the ingredients list. A few brands will sneak in powdered sugar. We don’t want that because we want to control the amount of sugar that goes into our lattes. The only ingredient should be organic matcha green tea powder. That’s it!
The two brands I have used the most are Jade leaf (a good place to get started). And Leopard matcha green tea powder (my current fave and the one used in the pictures).
I highly recommend reading Minimalist Baker’s review on matcha green tea powders. She rates both culinary and ceremonial grades. It helped me find a new favorite matcha powder.
okay let’s discuss my go-to way to make a matcha latte!
It only requires 5 to 10 minutes of time to make and 4 to 6 ingredients. You will be drinking one delicious, creamy matcha latte in no time!
Here’s how you make a matcha latte:
- heat up a some water
- sift the matcha green tea powder into your mug (this helps prevent lumps in the final product)
- Whisk in the hot water to form a green tea paste. Stir in salt and vanilla (optional, but tasty flavor boosts).
- Heat up the milk – microwave or stove top. Add maple syrup or agave nectar (our natural sweetener)
- froth the milk – optional step – you can either use milk frother, or a french press
- Stir the warm milk into the green tea paste, combine, and spoon the froth on top
- enjoy – sit back, and enjoy every delicious, healthy sip.
That’s it! Full directions are in the recipe card below.
Whether a matcha aficionado, or just getting started I hope you love my version of a matcha latte.
Cheers!
Here are more matcha green tea powder recipes:
- pina colada matcha overnight oats
- healthy matcha granola
- matcha energy balls with black sesame seeds
- soft matcha blueberry cookies
- detox matcha chia pudding with mango
Now you can have a matcha extravaganza!!!
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a comment below along with a star rating. I love hearing from you! Thanks, friends!
Print
How to Make a Matcha Latte
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: drinks, breakfast
- Method: stir
- Cuisine: vegan, vegetarian, super food, healthy, gluten free, dairy free
Description
Simple and easy way to make a delicious and healthy matcha latte right at home. Naturally sweetened and loaded with antioxidants. Provides a calming energy boost without that caffeine crash.
Ingredients
- 3/4 to 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder (see notes on brand)
- 1 to 2 tablespoon warm filtered water
- Optional: Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (or to taste) of maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1 1/4 cup milk of choice (almond milk or coconut milk are my faves)
Instructions
- Make a green tea paste: Use a fine mesh siv to sift the green tea powder into your mug. Heat up the water Add the hot water to the sifted green tea powder and whisk with a small whisk, or a fork until it is well mixed, frothy, and most of the lumps are gone. Stir in the salt, and vanilla extract (if using).
- Heat up the milk: Gently heat the milk up in the microwave or in a small sauce pot until it is hot, but not boiling. Stir in the maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Make it frothy: Optional step, when I’m in a hurry I skip this step. You can use a milk frother to make the milk frothy, or transfer the milk to a french press and give it a few pumps – the french press method works really well.
- Finish: Pour the hot milk into the mug with the matcha paste, stirring to combine well. If you made your milk frothy, use a spoon to add some on the top at the end.
- Enjoy: Drink immediately and enjoy! Yum!
Notes
brand of green tea powder: My current fave is Leopard pantenger matcha green tea culinary grade. I highly recommend ready Minimalist Baker’s Matcha review for more recommendations.
Milk: You can use any type of milk you like. My faves are coconut milk or almond milk.
Vegan/dairy free: To make this recipe vegan/dairy free make sure you use a non-dairy milk.
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