How do you guys make matcha lattes at home?
I looove matcha lattes, but it's just getting too expensive for me to get them every time I pass by my favorite cafe. I want to try making matcha lattes at home, so any tips, tricks, and recipes would be awesome! Thank you
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Expert Comments
You can make great matcha lattes at home! Here are my tips.
Matcha is a bit different than loose leaf tea because it's a powder. Rather than steeping it, you whisk it into the water. If I'm making a matcha latte, I usually reduce the amount of water I mix into the powder. That way, when I add the matcha mixture to the milk, it doesn't dilute the flavor and you can still taste the tea.
I also might use a little bit more tea than usual, just to make sure that you do get that full flavor in the latte.
Also, don't mix matcha into boiling water; use lower temperature water. Water that's too hot can make the drink taste bitter.
If you're whisking your matcha, it definitely can help a lot to sift the matcha through a strainer first. It helps break up the clumps.
Finally, when you whisk the matcha, make sure to do quick W motions with your wrist to get a really nice frothy texture on top.
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Matcha is a bit different than loose leaf tea because it's a powder. Rather than steeping it, you whisk it into the water. If I'm making a matcha latte, I usually reduce the amount of water I mix into the powder. That way, when I add the matcha mixture to the milk, it doesn't dilute the flavor and you can still taste the tea.
I also might use a little bit more tea than usual, just to make sure that you do get that full flavor in the latte.
Also, don't mix matcha into boiling water; use lower temperature water. Water that's too hot can make the drink taste bitter.
If you're whisking your matcha, it definitely can help a lot to sift the matcha through a strainer first. It helps break up the clumps.
Finally, when you whisk the matcha, make sure to do quick W motions with your wrist to get a really nice frothy texture on top.
To make a matcha latte, start with matcha powder and sieve it to remove clumps.
For a latte, I would recommend 3 or 4 grams of matcha powder to about 100 ml of milk as a golden ratio. Once you have a fine sieved powder, pour in a small amount of water, about 2 ounces or so. Then, whisk or froth in an M or a W motion instead of in circles. When you whisk in circles, you don't actually break up the matcha clumps. You just create a little tornado effect.
Know that you can't over-whisk matcha. Sometimes people think if they do it too long, it's going to get bitter or they're removing positive qualities of the matcha. That’s not true. Whisk until you're confident you've gotten out all of the lumps.
Finally, top up in a glass with milk and optional ice. If it tastes a little weak, add more matcha (~5 grams per 100 ml) next time!
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For a latte, I would recommend 3 or 4 grams of matcha powder to about 100 ml of milk as a golden ratio. Once you have a fine sieved powder, pour in a small amount of water, about 2 ounces or so. Then, whisk or froth in an M or a W motion instead of in circles. When you whisk in circles, you don't actually break up the matcha clumps. You just create a little tornado effect.
Know that you can't over-whisk matcha. Sometimes people think if they do it too long, it's going to get bitter or they're removing positive qualities of the matcha. That’s not true. Whisk until you're confident you've gotten out all of the lumps.
Finally, top up in a glass with milk and optional ice. If it tastes a little weak, add more matcha (~5 grams per 100 ml) next time!
My first piece of advice is to keep leaning in and trying to make it better each time you make it. There are some simple tools that you can get easily online. We have a whole matcha kit available online at artoftea.com, and I'm sure there are other places where you can get matcha kits. We also have a whole online academy at artoftea.com where you can learn how to actually make matcha, too.
But basically, you need a whisk, hot water, and about a teaspoon of matcha for every six ounces of water. And you give the powder and water an aggressive whisk in your bowl. Why? Because you're trying to aerate and froth that matcha , which helps create a really smooth texture and sweeten it. You should probably whisk for 30 seconds to a minute. You can drink it straight out of the bowl if you'd like, or you could add your favorite alternative milks or whole milk. And if you want to sweeten it, there's all kinds of ways you can do that. You can add a drop of French vanilla, some honey, or other simple syrups to give it a little bit of sweetness, which balance the astringent bite that you might get out of your matcha. There are so many places to get matcha, you want to make sure you're getting it from an accredited, high-quality source, because it's worth spending a few extra pennies on a high-quality matcha
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But basically, you need a whisk, hot water, and about a teaspoon of matcha for every six ounces of water. And you give the powder and water an aggressive whisk in your bowl. Why? Because you're trying to aerate and froth that matcha , which helps create a really smooth texture and sweeten it. You should probably whisk for 30 seconds to a minute. You can drink it straight out of the bowl if you'd like, or you could add your favorite alternative milks or whole milk. And if you want to sweeten it, there's all kinds of ways you can do that. You can add a drop of French vanilla, some honey, or other simple syrups to give it a little bit of sweetness, which balance the astringent bite that you might get out of your matcha. There are so many places to get matcha, you want to make sure you're getting it from an accredited, high-quality source, because it's worth spending a few extra pennies on a high-quality matcha
The first thing you want to do is get your water temperature up to about 160 degree Fahrenheit, 165 max. You definitely don't want the water too hot. It should ideally be spring water for all the elements and the minerals that are in that water–that will give you the best flavor profile.
Froth up the matcha with hot water. For every half teaspoon of matcha, you'll mix 2-3 ounces of water. After you've mixed up the matcha, you'll pour that over the milk, whether it be almond milk, coconut milk, or another type.
I will say, if you make matcha lattes with animal milk, they do inhibit some of the catechins in the tea. I personally steer clear from animal protein when I am making matcha and use almond, coconut, or some type of plant-based milk for that type of latte. If I'm doing a regular tea latte, I may use the milk protein, but not with a matcha latte.
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Froth up the matcha with hot water. For every half teaspoon of matcha, you'll mix 2-3 ounces of water. After you've mixed up the matcha, you'll pour that over the milk, whether it be almond milk, coconut milk, or another type.
I will say, if you make matcha lattes with animal milk, they do inhibit some of the catechins in the tea. I personally steer clear from animal protein when I am making matcha and use almond, coconut, or some type of plant-based milk for that type of latte. If I'm doing a regular tea latte, I may use the milk protein, but not with a matcha latte.
Reader Comments
I totally understand how you feel about matcha lattes—they’re amazing, but they can add up quickly! Making them at home is a great idea. You can get high-quality matcha powder online or at specialty stores. Just whisk 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder with a bit of hot water until it’s frothy, then add steamed milk (or plant-based milk) and sweeten to taste.
If you're looking for inspiration, I’ve noticed some cafes have amazing matcha recipes , like Dutch Bros. Their menus often list creative combinations that might inspire you to try something new at home.
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If you're looking for inspiration, I’ve noticed some cafes have amazing matcha recipes , like Dutch Bros. Their menus often list creative combinations that might inspire you to try something new at home.
don't forget to sift your matcha powder before you make your latte! run it through a mesh strainer to break apart any clumps so the powder mixes completely when you whisk it together.
i love to mix in some extra ingredients for some extra flavors too! a spoonful of honey, lavender simple syrup, or a few drops of vanilla extract are some of my favorite additions and taste so good with matcha.
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i love to mix in some extra ingredients for some extra flavors too! a spoonful of honey, lavender simple syrup, or a few drops of vanilla extract are some of my favorite additions and taste so good with matcha.
if you've never worked with matcha before, a common mistake is just throwing it into your drink, which can result in an uneven distribution and lots of clumps. i'd recommend whisking your matcha into boiling water first until it's smooth and frothy, THEN adding it to the rest of your ingredients
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i'm a sucker for convenience, so I like using a cocktail shaker to make my iced matcha lattes at home. I put all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker (matcha powder, milk, sweetener, ice cubes) and give it a good shake for 10 to 15 seconds, then pour it into a glass through a strainer.
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omg lavender is such a good idea, i almost always use vanilla or honey but it never really occurred to me to get more creative with my flavors lol
i almost always make an iced matcha latte:
- heat about 6 oz of milk (i like almond milk best but YMMV) to ~100 degrees F
- add a teaspoon of matcha powder and a dash of vanilla (i never measure my vanilla, i just go by vibes but it's probably usually about a half-teaspoon)
- mix it (i like to use an electric frother)
- add crushed ice to the glass and stir.
i sometimes add a bit of honey in or some stevia before frothing, but typically i'll keep the latte itself unsweetened and top the whole thing off with a big dollop of whipped cream for some sweetness. but you could add sugar or honey to the mix before frothing if you want
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i almost always make an iced matcha latte:
- heat about 6 oz of milk (i like almond milk best but YMMV) to ~100 degrees F
- add a teaspoon of matcha powder and a dash of vanilla (i never measure my vanilla, i just go by vibes but it's probably usually about a half-teaspoon)
- mix it (i like to use an electric frother)
- add crushed ice to the glass and stir.
i sometimes add a bit of honey in or some stevia before frothing, but typically i'll keep the latte itself unsweetened and top the whole thing off with a big dollop of whipped cream for some sweetness. but you could add sugar or honey to the mix before frothing if you want
I agree almond milk is yummy with matcha but also have you tried oat milk? That's my favorite with matcha
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If you feel like you can't get the whisking to work well for you (or are lazy like me), you can try making your matcha latte using a blender! It also helps make it extra frothy, which I enjoy :)
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I got this brand of iced coffee concentrate called Java and I am in LOVE with the matcha. All you do is add 1 teaspoon of concentrate for every cup of water or milk. I like to add chocolate syrup and ice (as well as creamer and caramel sauce, but I like sweeter coffees.) It has changed my life, and I'm pretty sure it's cheaper than store bought coffee.
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