How to Make the Best Matcha Latte. This matcha latte is creamy, frothy, super flavor and warming–perfect for colder weather.
There is nothing difficult about this. Not even a little bit.
But for some reason I’ve always been hesitant about preparing matcha at home because I was afraid I would do it incorrectly. Green tea in Japan is serious business and there absolutely is a right way and a wrong way.
To make sure I was doing it right, I tried to go to a class but then I missed it because I didn’t have my life together so I did the next best thing: I watched LOTS of YouTube videos on the subject and I feel like now I can properly talk about making a cup of warm matcha.
Let’s start with what matcha is. With most teas, you simply steep the leaves in hot water, but with matcha you actually are consuming the leaves. Matcha powder is greeen tea leaves ground up very finely so they dissolve into the water.
Before we begin, let’s start with the basics:
What is Matcha?
Matcha powder is made up of ground up green tea leaves. Instead of brewing a cup of tea with tea leaves, this is ground up leaves that are dissolved into the warm/hot water. If you ever have the privilege of visiting Kyoto, Japan, be sure to go to a tea house and be sure to buy some beautiful matcha green tea powder for the road. The packets make great gifts.
How to Make a Matcha Latte?
1st STEP:
I like to sift about 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to ensure that all of the lil’ bits of matcha are broken up. This makes for a silky smooth mug of matcha tea.
2nd STEP:
Next, pour about a tablespoon of hot water into the bottom of the mug.
3rd STEP:
Then, whisk vigorously until a loose paste forms. This part is very important because you want to make sure any bits of matcha have dissolved.
4th STEP:
Next, pour in about 1/4 cup of water. And whisk again.
5th STEP:
On the stove, I like to warm 1/2 cup of almond milk, light coconut milk or cow’s milk with about 2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup.
Fun tip: I like to whisk the milk vigorously with the matcha whisk as to froth the milk a bit. And then I pour in the milk. (If you have a milk frother attached to a home espresso machine, you can use that too!)
That’s it! So simple and delicious. It’s my favorite 3pm pick-me-up. This and a piece of dark chocolate are like a heavenly combination.
Are Matcha Lattes Good for You?
Reports state that matcha has healthy benefits such as being rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. People also state that matcha can be good with blood sugar regulation and blood pressure.
Is Matcha Latte Coffee?
Matcha and coffee aren’t related. Coffee comes from brewing coffee beans and matcha is made from ground up green tea leaves. They couldn’t be more different and yet people love to start their day with both.
How Much Caffeine is in a Matcha Latte?
A mug of matcha has about 70 milograms of caffeine. In comparison, your average cup of coffee has 70 milograms to 140 milograms. Also this matcha latte has milk in it which does bring down the caffeine a bit. For me, matcha is definitely less caffeinated than a cup of coffee or any drink I make with my espresso machine.
Matcha ranges in price from like $12 to very, very expensive. The introductory matcha is usually called conventional which is really good for baking with and the more fancy stuff is usually called ceremonial. The best matcha comes from Kyoto, Japan. If you find yourself there, or have a friend going, make sure you get some! Buy what you can afford!
That’s it. That’s How to Make a Matcha Latte 🙂 Next idea: matcha ice cream yum.
Matcha Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon pure matcha green tea powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water (just under boiling)
- 1/4 cup hot water (just under boiling)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 cup light coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk or cow's milk
Instructions
- Sift the matcha powder into the bottom of a wide mug.
- Pour in the 1 tablespoon of hot water. Using your chasen, whisk vigorously until all of the matcha powder has dissolved.
- Next, pour in the remaining 1/4 cup of hot water and whisk again until dissolved.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, set over medium-low heat, combine the honey and milk. Heat until very warm. Whisk vigorously to create a bit of froth at the top. Pour the warmed milk into the mug and whisk one last more.
Notes
Nutrition
If you make this Matcha Latte Recipe, let me know on Instagram!
I made this today, just now! It’s so good!
Oh yay!
I love that small white pot with wooden handle! Where have you got it? 🙂
I bought this one from Anthropologie but it’s no longer available with them. But it’s on Amazon, here’s a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ABQD6OK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00ABQD6OK&linkCode=as2&tag=acoki-20&linkId=57Q2VLVH73B6OBAM
Thanks a lot! 🙂
Interesting! Never had a matcha latte before. It doesn’t look real tasty, but it must be healthy for you 😉 Maybe I’ll try some day…!
Where do you get the matcha powder?
I buy mine at Whole Foods but at the very end of the post, under the recipe, is a link for matcha powders you can buy. 🙂
yasssss, i always see my #1 internet crush Hannah Bronfman drinking matcha lattes but i have been too lazy to figure out how to make them….. till now 🙂
Haha. She does drink them a lot!
I’ve been intimidated by matcha, to be honest, but it’s everywhere now! I think you’ve inspired me to give it a try. Gorgeous photos!
Thanks, Sam!
Did you make the white mug in these photos?! Apologies – I’m a bit obsessed with your pottery making at the moment! Also, I’ve been obsessed with those glass milk carton pitchers for so long.
I did not. I purchased it at Anthropolgie like a year ago or so. I am not on that level! Haha.
I definitely need one of those whisks. I makes such a difference!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I think it does too. 😉
Thank you so much for this post. I have been getting my matcha tea from a health food store and they are closing. Now I know how to prepare my own!!
YAS!
dude. matcha lattes are one of my favorite drinks. have you been to chalait in nyc??? it’s to die for.
Noooo but I just looked up photos of chalait and it looks sooo good!
This looks delicious, but more importantly…where did you get that cute little saucepan?!
Oh I got it from Anthropologie. But they don’t sell it anymore 🙁 I found it on Amazon, though!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015G8COQ8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B015G8COQ8&linkCode=as2&tag=acoki-20&linkId=EDFGT2QM4L5VX4QG
This looks amazing!
Thanks, Heather!
oh my gosh, me and my husband have been on a matcha latte kick, but we couldn’t seem to get all the powder to dissolve and would have bits of matcha floating to the surface! we watched about a dozen videos but never came across the part where you have to form a paste! but now that you mention it, it makes TOTAL sense! thanks for this tip, lady! xo
Ahh yes, the paste is the trick because once you add the second bit of water it dissolves very quickly! Glad I could be of help (a little!) 🙂
I’m obsessed. I don’t have a matcha whisk, so I use a baby whisk (luckily, I have lots of mini bakeware laying around, hah!), and whisk it super vigorously. It’s my morning workout 😉
Haha. I actually have a baby whisk too and surprisingly use it!
Haha! Yeah, youtube videos are a food bloggers friend at moments like that. This latte sounds really good and your pics are as lovely as always!
Right, if I ever have a question, I ask YouTube!