Make The Perfect Green Tea Matcha Latte (Iced or Hot)
Learn the art of making the perfect matcha latte. Hot or chilled, create a velvety-smooth texture along with a subtle irresistible sweetness too good to pass up.
It took a while for me to develop a taste for matcha green tea lattes. Initially, their expense and the excessive use of milk and added sugar in coffee house lattes kept me away. Plus I had real doubts about their healthiness.
When my daughter introduced me to her homemade matcha tea latte, it was nothing like the kind in coffee shops. Her green tea powder was of the highest quality, and I learned that a high-quality matcha powder has significant antioxidant properties.
There is an art to making a matcha latte, and in this article, you will learn how to make the creamiest, velvety-smooth green tea latte, one that I believe you will want to return to time and time again.
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The Perfect Green Tea Matcha Latte Recipe Card
Make The Perfect Green Tea Matcha Latte (Iced or Hot)
Equipment
- 1 Your Favorite Cup or Coffee Mug
- 1 Small bowl
- 1 Measuring teaspoon
- 1 mesh strainer – to sift the matcha and prevent clumping.
- 1 Bamboo whisk – this is the key to a smooth and creamy matcha latte.
- 1 small saucepan – you can also use a microwave
Ingredients
- 1 tsp matcha powder – preferably ceremonial-grade and organic.
- 1 tsp maple syrup – or any other sweetener of your choice.
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk – or any other plant-based milk of choice.
- 3 tbsp filtered water To mix the matcha and break up the clumps.
Instructions
- Measure 1 cup of alternative milk and pour it into your saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove on medium heat. While the milk is heating up, stir often to prevent the milk from burning.NOTE: If you are in a hurry, you can place the milk directly into your mug and heat it in the microwave, until you've reached your desired temperature. Usually about 1-2 minutes.
- While the milk is heating, measure 1 teaspoon of ceremonial-grade matcha powder, and sift the powder through the mesh strainer into your small mixing bowl.
- Add a small amount of hot water, and whisk the green tea powder and water until it is completely dissolved and all the clumps are gone.
- When the milk is heated sufficiently, pour it into your favorite mug.
- Add sweetener to the warmed milk. I use approximately 1 teaspoon of monk fruit or maple syrup or 3-4 drops of liquid stevia but you can sweeten your green tea matcha to your desired taste.
- Pour the liquid green tea matcha over the sweetened milk, and stir to combine.
- If desired, dust a bit of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice on top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Although I use plant-based milk rather than dairy, you can use any type of milk you prefer.
- My favorite alternative milk for this matcha latte is organic soy milk because it gives it the best flavor.
- Soy milk has a slightly higher fat content than other non-dairy milk, which gives this latte a smooth, rich, creamy taste and texture.
Nutrition
health benefits of Matcha Tea Powder
A good quality matcha powder has some incredible health properties, and you get a much stronger dose from drinking green tea matcha versus a regular cup of steeped green tea leaves.
Matcha tea powder is harvested, steamed, dried, and then blended so you are consuming the entire leaf. Whereas, in a simple cup of green tea, you receive only the tea leaf elements dissolved in hot water.
While I do enjoy a comforting cup of green tea regularly, my preference these days tends to be rich creamy matcha lattes.
And knowing that it comes packed with healthy, beneficial properties only adds to its delicious taste.
5 benefits to drinking a classic matcha latte
Here are 5 health benefits to drinking a green tea match latte.
- Heart Health. Supports heart health including healthy arteries due to its high catechin and antioxidant content.
- Immune System. Due to matcha’s high antioxidant content, it supports a strong immune system.
- Brain Health. Matcha supports a healthy brain and brain function, which is important for everyone.
- Metabolism. Green tea matcha supports a healthy metabolism, which may help with fat-burning and weight loss.
- Mental Health. Green tea matcha supports mood and mental focus due to its high L-theanine content. L-theanine is an amino acid that helps us stay calm and focused. All green tea contains L-theanine however matcha contains 5 times more per serving than regular green tea.
3 Different Grades Of Matcha
Finding a high-quality matcha powder is important, Ideally, it is best to look for one that is 100% certified organic.
When determining what kind of matcha to use for your latte, here are 3 grades of matcha powder to consider.
- Culinary grade. Culinary-grade matcha is dark in color and made from older tea leaves exposed to more sun. It tastes slightly more bitter than the other grades and is most commonly used for cooking. Culinary-grade green tea matcha is also the least expensive of the three.
- Premium grade. Premium-grade matcha comes from the top leaves of the tea plant and is suitable for daily use, either in your green tea matcha or for cooking.
- Ceremonial grade. Ceremonial-grade matcha is made from the youngest tea leaves and is much brighter and more vibrant in color. It is used for Japanese tea ceremonies and in Buddhist temples, and it is the most expensive of the three.
The matcha powder I currently use is ceremonial grade, 100% certified organic, and tastes delicious. It is the best I have found so far.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
Matcha Set – to really make things easy, consider purchasing a matcha set. They are fairly inexpensive and come with everything you need – except the saucepan and matcha powder itself.
OR
Cup – pick your favorite matcha latte cup.
Small Bowl – this you will use to sift and mix the high-quality matcha powder.
Measuring spoon – sometimes a small spoon will come with the powdered green tea.
Mesh Strainer – to sift the matcha and prevent clumping.
Bamboo Whisk – personally, I feel this is a key tool for a creamy smooth latte. The bamboo matcha whisk helps break up the clumps and helps blend the fine powder properly.
Saucepan – you will need a small saucepan to heat the milk.
green tea matcha latte ingredients
Matcha green tea powder – this is one of my favorite matcha tea powders. organic and ceremonial grade.
Monkfruit, stevia, maple syrup – or any sweetener of your choice
Plant-based milk – organic soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or any other milk of choice
Filtered water to mix and dissolve the green tea matcha powder
optional ingredients to consider:
Cinnamon – to sprinkle on top
Nutmeg – to sprinkle on top
Pumpkin Spice – this one is so lovely during the fall season
Vanilla – vanilla extract, vanilla syrup, vanilla bean paste, or any other type of simple syrup for delicious flavoring
VIDEO: Step-by-step instruction on how to make the perfect Green Tea Matcha Latte
Green Tea Matcha Latte Instructions
Step 1. Measure 1 cup of alternative milk and pour it into your saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove on medium heat. While the milk is heating up, stir often to prevent the milk from burning.
NOTE: If you are in a hurry, you can place the milk directly into your mug and heat it in the microwave, until you’ve reached your desired temperature. Usually about 1-2 minutes.
Step 2. While the milk is heating, measure 1 teaspoon of ceremonial-grade matcha powder, and sift the powder through the mesh strainer into your small mixing bowl.
Step 3. Add a small amount of hot water, and whisk the green tea powder and water until it is completely dissolved and all the clumps are gone.
Step 4. When the milk is heated sufficiently, pour it into your favorite mug.
Step 5. Add sweetener to the warmed milk. I use approximately 1 teaspoon of monk fruit or maple syrup or 3-4 drops of liquid stevia but you can sweeten your green tea matcha to your desired taste.
Step 6. Pour the liquid green tea matcha over the sweetened milk, and stir to combine.
Step 7. If desired, dust a bit of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice on top.
Enjoy!
Iced Matcha Latte Recipe
If you prefer your latte cold, it is super easy to make this hot match latte recipe ICED!
Here are the steps to make an easy Iced Matcha Latte.
- Measure 1 cup of plant-based milk. Set aside.
- Measure and sift 1 1/2 teaspoons of green tea matcha powder into a bowl, and add a small amount of cold water.
- Whisk until all of the clumps are removed and smooth.
NOTE: Adding 1/2 teaspoon more of matcha powder makes up for the ice melting and diluting the latte. - Pour the green tea liquid over the milk and stir.
- Grab a large glass and fill it with ice.
- Pour the matcha latte over the ice, add your favorite sweetener, stir well, and ENJOY!
Tips For Success
Although I use plant-based milk rather than dairy, you can use any type of milk you prefer.
My favorite alternative milk for this matcha latte is organic soy milk because it gives it the best flavor.
Soy milk has a slightly higher fat content than other non-dairy milk, which gives this latte a smooth, rich, creamy taste and texture.
Don’t let the higher fat content of soy scare you, the fat in soy milk is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is the ‘healthy’ fat that your body cannot make on its own. Other rich alternative milks are cashew and macadamia nut – delicious!
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Let’s Connect
I hope you enjoyed this article and you try making the perfect Green Tea Matcha Latte at home.
Please consider giving this recipe a 5-star rating and share your thoughts in the comment section below. I read each comment and will reply promptly.
This is a beautiful post! Thank you for all the great info. My husband loves matcha and I’m so happy to have some helpful tips when preparing it for him. Thank you!
Oh I am so glad, thank you! Yes, I love matcha myself. It took me awhile to learn how to make it just right but now, I drink it almost daily. AND, it is wonderfully healthy for you. Thank you for your support!
Ahhh the whisk is the key! Thank you for this thorough post!
Haha…YES, the whisk! So important.;-) Thank you for your support!
Thank you for sharing this recipe and step by step guide video!
Of course, thank you for reading, watching, and for your support.
Oh my this looks amazing! This is an excellent reside and guide to Make The Perfect Green Tea Matcha Latte.
Thank you Kristine, I hope you give the recipe a try one day.
We love matcha! Looking forward to making this tonight! FyI…the pics are gorgeous!
Isn’t matcha the best?! And it’s so healthy for you. Thank you for your kind words and support!
I’m like you I haven’t loved matcha lattes, but maybe I just need to give a homemade one a try. Saving this to try in the future.
Ohhh YES, I was the same. Homemade is the only way I really like them. I hope this recipe works for you! 😉
Saving for later! Good tip about the grades of match, definitely good to know. Thanks!
Hi Zoe, yes it actually makes a difference, especially if you are drinking matcha for the health benefits. Appreciate your support!
I love Matcha – I’ll have to try this. I usually just add the milk to my powder and then add the boiling water. I’ll have to buy myself a little whisk too.
Yes, the whisk helps everything blend up beautifully. Thanks for your support!