If you’re unfamiliar with matcha lattes, this delightful drink is a Japanese-inspired latte with a base of matcha tea and lightly sweetened milk. While it may look like plain green tea, matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and harvested leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant native to Asia. It’s a popular choice for tea lovers and has many health benefits.
Though this latte is traditionally prepared using special Japanese tea sets, using the items you have handy will work just as well. Here, we’ll show you how to make it at home easily. Gather the below ingredients, and let’s get started!
How to Make a Matcha Latte at Home
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 3/4 cup hot milk
- Honey or sweetener to taste
Equipment
- Small whisk
- Coffee cup
1. Heat the water.
The first step to making a matcha latte at home is to heat the water in a kettle on the stovetop or microwave for about 2 minutes. It needs to be hot but not boiling.
2. Mix the matcha powder with the hot water.
In a coffee cup, whisk together the hot water and matcha powder.
3. Heat the milk.
Using a milk steamer, stovetop pan, or microwave-safe jar, heat the milk until it’s hot but not boiling.
4. Combine.
Pour the hot milk into the matcha mixture and stir thoroughly.
5. If desired, sweeten to taste.
Add a spoonful of honey, sugar, or your favorite alternative sweetener to the cup. Stir and enjoy!
If you delight in the flavor of matcha, you may have found a healthy and straightforward ritual to liven up any time of your day. Changing up the recipe to your liking allows you to make it as indulgent or as clean as you like.
The Matcha Experience
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha has an intense earthy flavor and back-end sweetness if you’re not a green tea connoisseur. When made latte-style, it has a creaminess that gives it an indulgent feel without the guilt. The Americanized version served at coffee houses tends to mask the authentic matcha flavor with a substantial amount of sugar. If you’ve only had matcha tea or a matcha latte from a coffee shop, add a smaller amount of sugar for a more authentic drink.
What are the health benefits?
Whether you’ve had to abandon a coffee addiction, have a great love of tea, or are looking for a healthy treat to add to your day, matcha can be a great choice. It’s chock full of antioxidants, boasting 20 times more than blueberries. As a bonus, matcha can boost your metabolism and help you burn fat, along with many other health benefits.
Matcha has somewhat less caffeine than a cup of coffee and contains an amino acid called L-Theanine. This allows your body to slowly absorb the caffeine, providing steady, sustained energy throughout the day.
