Matcha Tea Latte Recipe (hot or iced like Starbucks)

Whether you want an iced matcha latte or a hot matcha latte we’ve got you covered. The best part is you only need a few simple ingredients! Not only that, you can personalize these matcha drinks by using your favorite sweetener and type of milk.

I know from looking around the internet that there are different grades of matcha tea. And just like anything else, you can find opposing views on what type of matcha is best for different uses. 

Some folks say you should use the very best matcha for a good matcha latte, and some folks say you should only use high-quality matcha powder if you are drinking it by itself. In my opinion, there really are no rules.

I really can’t justify spending a lot of money to buy ceremonial grade matcha, and there aren’t many choices where I live to even buy it. So, I just buy Jade Leaf culinary grade matcha at my local grocery store. I think it tastes great and I really like the convenience and price.

Jump to:

• What is matcha
• Ingredient Notes
• How to make an iced matcha latte
• How to make a hot matcha latte
• Tips
• What do you put in a matcha latte?
• Are Matcha lattes actually good for you?
• Matcha Tea Latte – hot or iced
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What is matcha

Matcha is specially grown and processed green tea leaves that are ground into a fine powder. It originated in Japan and is known for its vibrant green color and distinct flavor. Matcha is consumed whole (unlike traditional steeped green tea, where the leaves are discarded after brewing) providing a concentrated source of nutrients and antioxidants. 

Matcha is often prepared by whisking the powder with hot water using a bamboo whisk to create a frothy, smooth beverage. It has a unique balance of sweet, grassy, and slightly bitter notes. Matcha powder is versatile and can be used in various ways such as lattes, smoothies, desserts, and savory dishes. 

Its popularity has grown worldwide due to its health benefits, including enhancing focus and concentration, revving up metabolism, and providing a calming effect due to its L-theanine content. Plus, matcha was found to have more than double the amount of vitamin c than any other type of green tea.

Ingredients

See recipe card for amounts. 

Ingredient Notes

matcha powder – as stated above, we use culinary grade matcha because it is affordable and readily available. 

milk – we prefer whole milk for its richer flavor profile that results in creamy matcha lattes.

hot water – we warm the water in the microwave because it is quick and we don’t want it to boil. 

sugar – we use regular sugar, see below for suggestions if you don’t want to use sugar. 

How to make an iced matcha latte

1. Sift 2 teaspoons of matcha powder into a small bowl. 
2. Microwave 1/4 cup water in a microwave safe jar for 20 seconds.
3. Add the matcha powder and sugar, put the lid on it and shake vigorously until the sugar and powder have dissolved. 
4. Pour into a tall glass, add the remaining 1/4 cup of water and 1 1/4 cups milk, stir until mixed and then add ice.

How to make a hot matcha latte

1. Sift 2 teaspoons of matcha powder into a small bowl.
2. Microwave 1/2 cup water in a microwave safe jar for 30 seconds.
3. Add the matcha powder and sugar, put the lid on it and shake vigorously until the sugar and powder have dissolved; pour into a coffee mug.
4. Warm 1 1/4 cups milk in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour the hot milk and matcha mixture into the coffee mug, stir, and enjoy!

Tips

• If you don’t have a mesh strainer that’s okay, I have forgotten to strain my matcha before and while it wasn’t as smooth it was definitely drinkable and tasty. 
• I use an 18 ounce glass for the iced version and a 14 ounce coffee mug for the hot version. 
• If you don’t have a jar with a lid you can use a small whisk to mix the ingredients together. 

What do you put in a matcha latte?

A matcha latte consists of matcha powder, water, milk and sweetener. These are the basic ingredients and can certainly be expanded upon. 

Variations

Select your milk of choice, non-dairy milk works great too!

• oat milk
• coconut milk
• almond milk
• soy milk
• cows milk

Select your favorite sweetener

• maple syrup
• honey
• coconut sugar
• sugar substitute of choice

Additions

• vanilla extract for a bit of aromatic sweetness, start with a 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to taste. 
• mint extract for a cool refreshing taste, a drop or two should be plenty.
• cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg will add warmth, start with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Are Matcha lattes actually good for you?

Like regular green tea, matcha has lots of health benefits. Matcha tea is a great source of antioxidants that may help protect the liver, boost brain function, may help combat heart disease and high blood pressure, may protect against cancer, and could help with weight loss.

According to the National Institutes of Health “The green tea amino acid, L-theanine is associated with several health benefits, including improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety like symptoms”.

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