Homemade Matcha Latte

A couple of weeks ago, I made the switch from coffee to matcha, and since then, I’ve been living my best matcha life.

I used to be a serial alarm snoozer, and mornings would be hectic, but lately, I’ve been up earlier and taking it slow. There’s something about having a morning routine that keeps me grounded, and I don’t know about you, but a good day usually starts with caffeine!

My homemade matcha latte is refreshing, delicious, and the perfect way to start my day. If you’re looking for a coffee alternative or a tasty matcha latte recipe, give this one a try!

I picked up Keiko grade matcha from Nippon Cha in Brooklyn, and one of the staff members was nice enough to share some matcha tips with me:

1. Never pour hot water on matcha – this will burn it and make it taste bitter. Instead, use warm water that’s around 180°F (80°C).
2. Matcha is very sensitive to high temps, moisture, and light, so store it in the fridge in a tightly sealed opaque container to keep it fresher for longer.
3. If the matcha smells or tastes ‘fishy,’ it’s either really low quality or it’s gone bad.

So, tell me, what’s your favorite way to drink matcha?

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s a common misconception that matcha has a bitter taste. When prepared properly, it should have a toothsome earthy flavor that when paired with the creaminess of oat milk and sweetness of honey, should create a refreshing drink that you won’t get enough of.

The best thing about it is you can prepare it hot or cold, so you can whip this up for breakfast or as an energy booster for lunch. This recipe is good for two servings, but you easily double up the measurements if you want to make more.

How do I prepare Homemade Matcha Latte?

Making matcha latte at home isn’t as complicated as you think. To enjoy a glass, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Prepare the whisk

If you’re using a bamboo whisk (or chasen), soak the bristles in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes to prevent breakage or damage.

Step 2: Prepare the matcha

Sift the matcha into a bowl, then pour 2 oz warm water. Using the whisk, mix the matcha with water in a fast zig-zag motion until nice and frothy. If you’re using sweetener, now’s the time to add it and mix until it’s well combined.

Step 3: Pour the milk

Pour your choice of milk into a glass, then carefully pour the matcha on top. Serve and enjoy!

Preparation Tips for Homemade Matcha Latte

Aside from the tips I mentioned above, here are a couple more tricks that will help you make an irresistibly good matcha latte at home:

• Make sure to use high-quality matcha because it can affect the overall flavor of your drink. A good indication is that it has a vibrant and deeper green color.

• If you don’t have a bamboo whisk for mixing, you can use a milk frother instead.

• Since matcha powder clumps easily when mixing, you can reduce clumps from your drink by sifting the matcha powder into your cup before adding warm water.

• If you want to serve your matcha latte hot, you can also warm your milk before adding it to your drink.

• Feel free to add less or more of the honey or sweetener of your choice according to your sweetness level.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Matcha powder: matcha powder is the essential ingredient in this drink. I’m using matcha powder from Nippon Cha, but feel free to use any brand you prefer.

Water: water helps dissolve the matcha powder. Make sure to use warm water that’s 180°F (80°C) to prevent burning the matcha powder.

Oatmilk: oatmilk adds a creamy and frothy consistency to the matcha latte. You can also use any type of milk you like, including whole, skim, 2%, soy, or coconut milk. 

Honey: honey sweetens up the matcha latte. Feel free to use your preferred sweetener, including maple syrup, white or brown sugar.

Ingredient Additions/Variations

If you’re wondering how you can level up your matcha latte further, here are a few ingredients that should go well with its flavors:

1. Ice cream – if you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert, take a cue from Affogato and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your matcha latte. It’s sweet and refreshing, perfect to cool you down on hot summer days.

2. Espresso – if you need an extra strong pick-me-up, add a shot of espresso to your matcha latte to wake you up. Add it after the milk, so the liquids create three clean layers that’ll look satisfying through a transparent glass.

3. Fruits – the earthy flavor of matcha should go well with the sweetness of almost any fruit. You can try adding slices of strawberries, bananas, or blueberries. For extra sweetness, you can also drizzle some fruit syrup on top!

4. Citrus – if you prefer your matcha latte with a bit of tang, why not add some citrus? Lemon or orange juice should add a punch of flavor that cuts through the creaminess of the milk.

5. Nut milk – if you want to add a nutty flavor to your matcha latte without actually adding nuts, nut milk should be a great substitute. For some suggestions, you can try almond, cashew, or pistachio milk.

What to eat with matcha latte?

This homemade matcha latte recipe should taste great with almost any food, but if you’re stumped on what to eat, here are a couple of ideas:

1. Croissant – if you’re close to a local bakery, you can indulge yourself with freshly baked croissants for breakfast. Their buttery and flakey goodness with the sweet and creamy flavors of matcha latte is a match made in heaven! 

2. Fried rice – if you can’t go a meal without eating rice, fried rice for breakfast or lunch should taste great with matcha latte. Whether you want to go simple or as elaborate with your fried rice, the flavors of your matcha latte will complement it just as well.

3. Oatmeal – for a quick and easy meal packed with nutrients, oatmeal is a go-to staple for breakfast. Either you can go sweet with fruits and honey or go savory with eggs and soy sauce, pairing it with a matcha latte should perk you up for the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is matcha powder made of?

Matcha powder is made from finely milled green tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Due to its rich history in Japan, authentic matcha powder has an elaborate process of shading, harvesting, and steaming to ensure its quality.

What is ceremonial-grade matcha powder?

Ceremonial-grade matcha powder is made from young matcha tea leaves, so it has a more vibrant green hue and richer flavor than culinary-grade matcha. It’s regarded as the highest quality matcha powder since you can enjoy its smooth and velvety texture with just hot water. But if you can’t access ceremonial-grade matcha for this recipe, culinary-grade should also taste great for your latte.

Can you store matcha latte for later?

Matcha latte is best served fresh. But if you want to make it in advance, you can store it in the fridge for 12 hours. If you can, store the matcha and milk separately so they can stay fresh for 24 hours. You can then turn it into an iced matcha latte by adding a handful of ice!

How do you store matcha bamboo whisk?

If you decide to invest in a bamboo whisk, I recommend you let it air dry with its prongs facing downwards, then store it upright in a cool, dry place. Most bamboo whisks come with a container where you can store it properly, otherwise, look for a small jar or container that allows it to stay upright.

Looking for more easy & delicious drink recipes?

1. Avocado Shake – this Vietnamese-style avocado shake only takes 4 ingredients to whip up. It’s sweet and creamy, perfect for quenching your thirst on hot summer days!

2. Korean Banana Milk – say goodbye to buying banana milk with artificial flavoring when you can easily prepare it at home with this recipe. The key ingredient to making sweet and creamy banana milk is ripe bananas. Combined with honey and vanilla extract, you have a nutritious and satisfying drink that hits all the right spots!

3. Mango Pineapple Spinach Smoothie – if you’re a sucker for smoothies, you shouldn’t miss out on this recipe. I used mango, frozen pineapple, spinach, bananas, and peach for a burst of flavor, but the ingredients are customizable, so you can swap them out for any fruits you have at home!

4. Misugaru Shake – if you haven’t tried misugaru shake before, now’s your chance! It’s a Korean multigrain powder that’s nutritious and high in protein. Mixed with milk and agave syrup, you have a filling breakfast or lunch on the go!

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