How to make a matcha latte using ANY tool or equipment in less than 10 minutes. Plus, a comparison of the different options, which matcha to use, and more!
If you're looking for a new and great-tasting alternative to your morning coffee brew, matcha is the way to go. This matcha green tea latte is a tasty way to get your caffeine hit, and give you the long-lasting energy for a productive day!
What is in a Matcha Latte?
A matcha latte consists of three simple ingredients: matcha powder, milk and/or water, and an optional sweetener. Matcha powder is made from green tea leaves that are ground down to a light, green powder. You can drink matcha alone with water, as a latte with milk, as an iced matcha drink...however you like it!
What Does a Matcha Latte Taste Like?
Matcha latte has a very distinct taste. It's rich, earthy, and even described as grassy. In latte form, it has a creamy sweetness created by the milk and sweetening agent (if you add any sugar or syrup).
Are Matcha Lattes Healthy?
In general, a homemade matcha latte is healthier than other caffeine alternatives. It has less caffeine than coffee and is purported to have many health benefits as ground full-leaf form of green tea. It is high in the amino acid L-theanine which makes us feel alert and focused. Matcha also, like other green teas and white teas, contains the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Read more about the health benefits here.
However, while homemade matcha is a healthier choice, matcha beverages from your favorite coffee shop or cafe are likely to be very high in added sugar, making them much less healthy. If you make your own, you can control how much sugar goes into your green tea beverage.
Is Matcha Better with Water or Milk?
This depends on the matcha you are using, and your own personal preference. There are two main grades of matcha:
- Ceremonial grade (the highest quality matcha)
- Culinary or food grade, which covers various sub-grades such as premium, cafe, ingredient, kitchen, and classic.
When you buy ceremonial grade, it's recommended to use only hot water to do justice to the flavor. Culinary grade matcha is perfect for use in recipes or dairy-based and sweetened beverages like a latte.
Shop my favorite culinary grade matcha for this recipe here (affiliate link).
What Milk is Best for Matcha Latte?
This matcha latte recipe works with dairy or non-dairy milk. My preference is to pair matcha with oat milk or nut milk for a really creamy, rich flavor.
You can try my recipes for oat milk and nut milk if you'd like to try making them at home.
Is It OK to Drink Matcha Every Day?
For most healthy adults, it's okay to drink up to 400mg of caffeine per day. This is roughly five cups of matcha, which is more than plenty to give you a daily boost! I personally can't handle this much, but you know yourself best. As with any food, always consume matcha in moderation.
How Can I Sweeten My Matcha Latte?
If you want to make your matcha latte a bit sweeter, you can add any of the following:
- Syrup like simple syrup or maple syrup
- White sugar, brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Honey or agave
- Sugar substitute like Stevia
Note: For the optional sweetener, I like to use a turbinado simple syrup. To make the simple syrup, add half a cup of turbinado sugar to half a cup of water in a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool. Keep your turbinado sugar syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator, and use whenever you need!
Which Tools Are Best for Making Matcha?
Depending on what you have on hand, you can make a great matcha latte with any of the following:
- A whisk or chasen.
- A blender.
- A jar.
- A frother or hand frother.
- A steamer or espresso machine.
See directions below for each of these methods, followed by my reviews on each method and how it works for different purposes.
5 Ways to Make a Matcha Latte
Gather your ingredients: matcha powder, a cup of milk or non-dairy milk, and your preferred sweetener if you want to add a sweetener.
If making a hot latte, bring the milk or non-diary milk to a light boil. Add the sweetener. Set aside. If making an iced latte, simply add the sweetener to the milk or non-dairy milk and set aside.
Metal Whisk or Chasen
Add 1 tablespoon of water to the matcha powder in a bowl. Using your metal whisk or bamboo chasen, whisk the matcha and water until the clumps are gone. Add the milk or non-dairy milk and whisk until frothy in a "W" or "M" shaped pattern. Pour over ice if you prefer an iced latte.
Blender
Add the milk or non-dairy milk and matcha powder to a high-speed blender. Run the blender for one minute until you have a smooth green liquid. Pour over ice if you prefer an iced latte.
Jar with Lid
Sift the matcha into a large jar, at least pint-sized. Add the milk or non-dairy milk to the jar. Seal, and shake until well mixed and frothy. If you prefer an iced latte, add the ice before shaking. This method works best as an iced latte, since the solid ice tends to help shake it up well.
Frother or Hand Frother Method
Sift the matcha into a mug or glass. Add the milk or non-dairy milk to the glass. Use your frother to froth the mixture. (You will do this directly in the glass/mug if using a hand held frother.) If making an iced latte, add ice after.
Steamer/Espresso Machine Method
Add 1 tablespoon of water to the matcha powder in a bowl. Using your metal whisk or bamboo chasen, whisk the matcha and water until the clumps are gone. Steam the milk using your steamer or espresso machine. Add the milk or non-dairy milk over the matcha mixture. Pour over ice and give it a stir if you prefer an iced latte.
Matcha Latte Method Reviews
Curious to know which method will work best for you? Read this mini-guide to the different methods.
Best Simple Method
A metal whisk or chasen: This is the classic method for making a matcha latte. It works really well, and only requires some simple tools.
Best Method for Making More than One
A blender: A blender with a wider bottom is better if making more than one matcha latte. If you make lattes for two or more people regularly, it might be worth investing in a good blender.
Best Method for Iced Matcha
A jar: This ends to be my go-to method in the summer when I'm making an iced latte. It's easy, quick and requires very little cleanup.
Best Method for Travel
A frother or hand frother: This is my go-to if I'm making a hot latte. This method means easy clean-up, and is very quick to make.
Best Overall Matcha Latte
A steamer/espresso machine: There's a reason coffee shops make really good matcha lattes - they have the best equipment. This method produces the best result, but requires the most expensive equipment. A breville espresso machine is very pricey, but the result is spectacular.
Love Matcha?
Try some of my other favorite matcha recipes like:
- Dalgona Whipped Matcha Latte
- Matcha Bubble Tea
- Matcha Affogato
- Matcha Peanut Butter Cups
- Matcha Ice Cream
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Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- ¾ cup milk dairy or non-dairy
- 1 teaspoon sweetener optional
- 1 tablespoon water optional, depending on method
Instructions
- If making a hot latte, bring the milk or non-diary milk to a light boil. Add the sweetener. Set aside. If making it iced, simply add the sweetener to the milk or non-dairy milk and set aside.
Metal Whisk or Chasen
- Add 1 tablespoon of water to the matcha powder in a bowl. Using your metal whisk or bamboo chasen, whisk the matcha and water until the clumps are gone. Add the milk or non-dairy milk and whisk until frothy in a "W" or "M" shaped pattern. Pour over ice if you prefer an iced latte.
Blender
- Add the milk or non-dairy milk and matcha powder to a high-speed blender. Run the blender for one minute until you have a smooth green liquid. Pour over ice if you prefer an iced latte.
Jar with Lid
- Sift the matcha into a pint-sized jar or larger. Add the milk or non-dairy milk to the jar. Seal, and shake until well mixed and frothy. If you prefer an iced latte, add the ice before shaking. This method works best as an iced latte, since the solid ice tends to help shake it up well.
Frother or Hand Frother Method
- Sift the matcha into a mug or glass. Add the milk or non-dairy milk to the glass. Use your frother to froth the mixture. (You will do this directly in the glass/mug if using a hand held frother.) If making an iced latte, add ice after.
Steamer/Espresso Machine Method
- Add 1 tablespoon of water to the matcha powder in a bowl. Using your metal whisk or bamboo chasen, whisk the matcha and water until the clumps are gone. Steam the milk using your steamer or espresso machine. Add the milk or non-dairy milk over the matcha mixture. Pour over ice and give it a stir if you prefer an iced latte.
Notes
- Syrup like simple syrup or maple syrup
- White sugar, brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Honey or agave
- Sugar substitute like Stevia
Nutrition
This post was originally published in October of 2017, but was republished with tools and equipment comparisons, new photos, step by step instructions for different methods and equipment, and tips April of 2020.
Thanks for this article! And is it possible to make matcha latte using frothed milk from the coffee machine normally used for cappuccino? Add matcha powder to a glass, start milk program to get warm and frothy milk from the coffee machine, and then mix it well with a spoon? Or wouldnt it work?
You are so welcome, Ewa... and yes, it will absolutely work that way!