This Matcha Latte Recipe is a step-by-step how-to on how to make this delicious Japanese drink. Tea houses in Kyoto, Japan have been serving matcha (green tea) for hundreds of years. This at-home version is just as delicious. You can also make an iced matcha latte recipe too!
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 and can be used to make this warm matcha latte or an iced matcha latte, matcha tiramisu or even matcha cheesecake!
ingredients for a matcha latte
- Matcha – I like using ceremonial matcha for my lattes. It’s higher quality which yields a better taste.
- Warm milk – I love using low-fat dairy for my matcha lattes. It gives a nice mouth feel. But feel free to use coconut milk, almond or oat milk.
- Honey or sugar – I personally like the flavor of honey but you can use regular sugar, maple syrup or agave.
ceremonial vs. conventional matcha
There are two types of matcha: conventional and ceremonial. Convential is definitely cheaper and is best used in baked goods for things like matcha cheesecake, matcha s’mores or triple layer chocolate matcha cake.
Ceremonial matcha is better for cups of warm matcha lattes or iced matcha lattes. The best matcha comes from Kyoto, Japan.
how to matcha latte
- Sift the matcha – I like to sift 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.
- Pour in 1 tablespoon of hot water – This creates a big of a slurry. Pour a tablespoon of hot water into the bottom of the mug.
- Whisk! – Using a matcha whisk, mix it up vigoroursly until a loose paste forms. This part is very important because you want to make sure all and any bits of matcha have dissolved.
- Pour in 1/4 cup of hot water – Whisk again. It should be bright green at this point.
- Warm 1/2 cup of your milk of choice – 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.
- Pour milk and whisk again – I like to whisk the entire drink again so it froths the milk a bit. Fun tip: I like to whisk the milk vigorously with the matcha whisk as to froth the milk a bit. Delicious cup of warm matcha.
Tips and tricks
- Use a milk frother – If you have a milk frother attached to an at-home espresso machine, you can use that too!
- Use ceremonial matcha – If your budget allows it, choose the higher quality type of matcha for a better cup of matcha latte.
Recipe faqs
Is matcha and coffee related?
No, matcha is made from green tea leaves that have been ground up. And coffee, is made from coffee beans that have been picked, dried and roasted.
How much caffeine is in a cup of matcha?
A mug of matcha has about 70 milograms of caffeine. In comparison, your average cup of coffee has 100 milograms to 140 milograms. Research has stated that the caffeine from matcha releases slower in your body vs. a cup of coffee.
Are matcha lattes healthy?
Matcha is high in antioxidents and polyphenols which has been proven to help cell turnover and protect you from free radicals.
What to serve with matcha lattes
- Cinnamon Swirl Bread
- Best Blueberry Muffins
- Crispy Waffles
- Olive Oil Fried Eggs
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Blue Cornbread Muffins with Salty Honey Butter
If you tried this Matcha Latte recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon pure matcha green tea powder (I prefer ceremonial)
- 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
- Use a milk frother – If you have a milk frother attached to an at-home espresso machine, you can use that too!
- Use ceremonial matcha – If your budget allows it, choose the higher quality type of matcha for a better cup of matcha latte.
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
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!