This refreshing, antioxidant-packed matcha green tea latte is a healthful, rejuvenating morning pick-me-up. It’s also surprisingly simple to prepare in just a few minutes - a dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan recipe to enjoy every day!
Use a little milk or water (best warm/hot- but never boiling or It will go bitter*) to dissolve the matcha powder. This will help you to avoid any clumps in the matcha latte.
Using the matcha whisk, whisk vigorously back and forth in a 'W' pattern until the powder has completely dissolved (around 40 seconds).
Step 2: Heat and froth the milk
You can heat the milk in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stovetop. You, ideally, don't want to heat the milk above around 160ºF/70ºC. Once again, if the milk is too hot then it will lead to bitter matcha.If you don't have a thermometer, then simply heat the milk till it simmers but has yet to boil. Once heated, you can froth the milk (optionally - but I definitely suggest you do so for amazing results!)
How To Froth Milk At Home
There are several ways for you to achieve a great airy, frothy milk at home, even without an automatic or handheld milk frother (what I use- just place in the milk and allow to do its' magic).In a French Press: if you have a French press, this option works amazingly. Simply pout the warm milk into the French press and plunge up and down until it practically doubles in height within the jug. In a mason jar: using a heat-proof jar, you can pop your milk into it and shake shake shake - it’s not the best method, but it does work to create some larger bubble froth. You could also use an immersion blender, handheld whisk, or electric mixer.
Step 3: Combine and serve
Pour the frothed milk into a cup or chawan (bowl). Then, add the sweetener and stir. Feel free to sweeten to taste rather than follow my exact amounts.
Finally, add the matcha mixture** and stir one last time with the matcha whisk- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
* It's traditional to use hot water, but I've found it works just as well with warm milk. It can also help to sift the matcha into the mug first, to really avoid any clumping.** You can also pour the frothed milk over the pre-prepared matcha to save yourself a step.
If you want to be 'fancy' and make a layered latte then add your sweetener to the milk and pour that into the glass first, then pour in the matcha. the sugar content in the milk will keep it at the bottom of the glass. Pour the matcha in slowly though, to help the separation.
If your matcha is bitter, then you’ve likely used water/milk that is too hot (never use boiling water/milk). However, the grade of matcha or amount of matcha used may also be the issue.
There are three ‘grades’ of matcha tea including culinary, premium, and ceremonial. The lower the grade, the worse the flavor and quality. I usually splash out for premium matcha - however, if you want the very best and most delicious, then go for a high-quality ceremonial grade matcha green tea powder.
For a super quick ‘cheat’ matcha latte, you can add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend blend blend. This will froth the milk while mixing (though it leads to extra washing up).