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This matcha latte recipe is the perfect way to enjoy matcha and is better, cheaper, and healthier than Starbucks! It’s really easy and quick to whip together, made in about 5 minutes. Deliciously creamy and balanced, made with unrefined sugar, and easy to make dairy free, paleo, vegan by using almond milk or any other plant based milk.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It produces the best matcha latte, just like at the coffee shop but way cheaper, healthier, and even more delish.
- This recipe is really easy and made in about 5 minutes.
- The method for this matcha latte produces a super smooth drink with no clumps.
- It’s an excellent, warming way to get more of the health benefits of green tea and matcha, especially during colder weather.
How To Make It
- Place matcha powder in a small bowl. Slowly but vigorously whisk in hot water until completely smooth. Make sure that is is really well blended. (photo 1)
- Place milk in a small saucepan and add maple syrup. Heat the mixture, then froth. You can do this with a milk steamer, frother, or simply by whisking vigorously. Dairy milk will froth the best, but “barista”-inspired blends of vegan milks work well, too. Oat milk, pea milk and hemp milk are the best non-dairy milks to use, or use one with gellan in the ingredients. (photo 2)
- Divide the frothed milk between two mugs. Pour in matcha-water paste and stir until combined. Serve immediately. (photo 3 & 4)
Dairy Milk vs. Non-Dairy Milk
You can use any kind of milk for this matcha latte recipe to make it paleo, vegan, and dairy free, but I recommend a “barista blend” style of plant-based milk to produce the best foam or froth.
Oat milk, pea milk or hemp milk are the best non-dairy milks to use, but you can also use almond or soy. The protein in cow’s milk is what makes it froth well, and a lot of non-dairy milks are low in protein. Choose a plant based milk that has gellan in it for the best froth – it’s an additive that is used to thicken the milk and it will help it to keep it’s bubbles.
Dairy milk will be the richest and creamiest with the absolute best foam, but if you avoid dairy or prefer not to eat it (like us!), a non-dairy half-and-half or milk is a perfect option, too.
Do you need a bamboo whisk to make this recipe?
I love using a bamboo whisk for my matcha lattes. I used to think they were gratuitous, but once I started using them, I understood the hype. They help create the smoothest matcha paste I’ve ever had. Totally clump-free matcha lattes! If you don’t have one, you can use a traditional wire whisk, but be sure to combine it really well until there are no lumps.
What is matcha?
Matcha (or macha) powder is made from green tea leaves that are ground very finely. It’s origins are in China and it is widely used in tea ceremonies across Japan. It is an ingredient now more widely used, and you can find it in ice cream, lattes, confectionary and desserts.
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha has a very complex taste, and it works so well in a latte. It’s rich and aromatic and has a sweet after taste. It’s not like anything you’ve probably had before, but I promise you it’s delicious!
Health Benefits
You can read more about the health benefits of this green powder here, but here’s a quick run down!
- It’s high in antioxidants which can help reduce cell damage.
- It contains caffeine so it’s a great energy boost, but unlike coffee, it will make you alert and increase your attention levels but not feel jittery.
- It can help reduce cholesterol and improve heart health.
- It can increase bone density.
Coffee vs. Tea
Matcha is a tea, not a coffee, and it’s a great alternative to your morning cup of joe. It provides the same amount of caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee, however, the buzz is much longer lasting and energising. Rather than leaving you feeling jittery, the amino acid in it can reduce stress and anxiety.
Is a matcha latte good for weight loss?
Matcha can help to boost your metabolism, and it can increase your calorie burning by up to 4x! If you are looking to lose weight, a matcha latte can be introduced to your diet along with other healthy foods and, of course, exercise. If you make this matcha latte with a plant based milk, you will further reduce the fat content.
Chef’s Tips
- Ceremonial grade is the absolute best for matcha lattes; it is a higher quality grade than culinary and results in a better beverage. I love this organic matcha powder from Thrive Market.
- To make it low carb or keto, use your favorite keto sweetener in place of the maple syrup to taste.
- Ensure that the matcha powder is whisked really well with the water until it is perfectly smooth.
- Whisk the milk well so that it is frothy.
- Drink immediately.
Be sure to check out these other healthy drinks recipes!
- Hibiscus Tea
- Charcoal Lemonade
- Iced Golden Milk Turmeric Latte (paleo, vegan)
- Iced Dirty Chai (vegan, paleo, sugar free)
Matcha Latte Recipe
Equipment
- small mixing bowl
- whisk preferably bamboo
- milk frother optional
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons ceremonial grade matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 ½ cups milk any type, see Notes
- 1 ½ tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Place matcha powder in a small bowl. Slowly but vigorously whisk in hot water until completely smooth.
- Place milk in a small saucepan and add maple syrup. Heat the mixture, then froth. You can do this with a milk steamer, frother, or simply by whisking vigorously. Dairy milk will froth the best, but “barista”-inspired blends of vegan milks work well, too.
- Divide the frothed milk between two mugs. Pour in matcha-water paste and stir until combined. Serve immediately.
- Ceremonial grade is the absolute best for matcha lattes; it is a higher quality grade than culinary and results in a better beverage. I love this organic matcha powder from Thrive Market.
- Dairy milk produces the best foam, but “barista” blends of alt milks, like oat milk, almond milk, etc. froth well, too, and make this matcha latte paleo, vegan, and dairy free.
- I love using a bamboo whisk for my matcha lattes. I used to think they were gratuitous, but once I started using them, I understood the hype. They help create the smoothest matcha paste I’ve ever had. Totally clump-free matcha lattes!
- To make it low carb or keto, use your favorite keto sweetener in place of the maple syrup to taste.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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This is my morning to to drink when quarantined at home. It’s delicious and the matcha is a nice “alert” boost for working.
It is! I’m glad you love it, too!