The vibrant green color of a matcha latte is unmistakable. Its gorgeous hue comes from its main ingredient, matcha, which is made up of whole, dried green tea leaves that have been ground into a very fine powder. Luckily for you, this drink is more than just a pretty color. In addition to being a pleasure to look at, matcha is packed with antioxidants and delivers a wonderful dose of caffeine without the drowsy crash of coffee. This drink is traditionally made with water, but it also tastes great with milk, as well as other dairy alternatives, so be sure to play around with this recipe to find what suits your tastes best.
Things You\’ll Need
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1 teaspoon high quality matcha powder
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2 teaspoons hot water, just under boiling
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1 cup milk, or other milk alternative
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
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1 teaspoon honey, or other type of sweetener, to taste
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Small sifter
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Bamboo whisk
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Small saucepan
Step 1
Sift 1 teaspoon of matcha powder into a large cup.
Step 2
Add 2 teaspoons of hot water to the matcha powder, and whisk until smooth and no lumps remain.
Tip
You can also use a small wire whisk instead of a bamboo whisk.
Step 3
Warm milk (or the milk alternative of your choice, such as soy milk or almond milk) in a saucepan just until steaming, then stir in the vanilla and pour the mixture into the cup. If adding a sweetener, mix in 1 teaspoon of honey until dissolved.
Tip
Want to make an iced matcha latte? Skip warming the milk, and use cold milk instead. If using honey to sweeten your drink, make sure to mix it in right after step two. Once the honey is incorporated, stir in the milk and the vanilla, then pour over ice.
Step 4
To create a foamy top, place the bamboo whisk in the cup, and begin to whisk in a zigzag motion for 30–45 seconds, or until frothy.
Step 5
Whether making an iced or hot matcha latte, taste the finished drink, adding more sweetener if desired.
