Matcha tea is taking the nation by storm, and we’re not surprised. Alongside matcha’s wonderful health benefits, its bright green color and yummy, earthy taste make it an aesthetic alternative to boring espresso.

However, you don’t have to run to Starbucks to get your matcha fix. Read on to learn how to make the most amazing matcha latte. We promise — it’ll be better than your favorite coffee shop latte.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is essentially green tea powder. It’s made by grinding green tea leaves into a fine powder and then combining that powder with hot water. 

While matcha and green tea are made from the same plant, plants that are destined for matcha production are grown in the shade. This causes the leaves to be higher in chlorophyll and certain amino acids, like L-theanine.

Matcha was first used in China and eventually became the most important part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Of course, matcha is now a fan-favorite all over the world.

What Are the Ingredients of a Matcha Tea Latte?

Everyone likes to add their own spin to things. You might have your own secret ingredient you add to make your matcha latte better than the rest. 

However, generally speaking, the ingredients of a matcha latte include:

• Matcha Powder: This green powder is what gives a matcha latte its deliciously nutty flavor, bright green color, and wonderful health benefits.
• Hot Water: Hot water helps dissolve the green tea powder. But it shouldn’t be boiling water — about 175°F or 80°C.
• Steamed Milk: This makes up the majority of the latte. You can use dairy milk or dairy-free milk, your choice. Popular choices include almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk.
• Sweetener: You don’t have to add sweetener, but many people do. You can use simple syrup, maple syrup, or even honey.

What Are the Different Types of Matcha?

Not all matcha is created equally. There are actually two main types of matcha green tea: ceremonial grade matcha and culinary grade matcha.

Ceremonial matcha is made of the highest quality leaves and is designed to be full of flavor and natural sweetness on its own. You can tell this high-quality matcha from the rest by its bright green color, fine consistency, and complex taste.

Culinary matcha is still made of high-quality leaves, but they may be slightly more mature than those used in ceremonial matcha. Culinary matcha is often a more muted green color, may be a bit more gritty, and is more likely to taste bitter. It can be used to give food the general flavor of matcha, but it won’t make a great matcha latte.

The Best Matcha Latte Recipe

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. This matcha latte recipe is one of our favorites thanks to the slight addition of vanilla extract. The prep time for this recipe is about two minutes, or however long it takes to boil your water. The total time should come out to about five minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of matcha powder (or one scoop of Everyday Dose Mushroom Matcha+ powder)
• 2 ounces of hot water
• 8 ounces of milk 
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of sweetener, to taste
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sift or Froth the Matcha Powder: Place the matcha powder in a small bowl or cup. Sifting helps to prevent clumps and ensures a smooth latte. 
2. Add Hot Water: Pour the hot water over the matcha powder. Use a small whisk (a bamboo whisk or matcha whisk works best) or a milk frother to whisk the mixture until it is frothy and well combined.
3. Heat the Milk: In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling. You can also heat the milk in the microwave if you prefer. If you’re using a frother, you can froth the milk for a creamy matcha.
4. Combine Matcha and Milk: Pour the hot milk into the matcha mixture. Stir well to combine. If you used a frother for the milk, you can pour the frothed milk on top.
5. Sweeten to Taste: Add your preferred sweetener and the vanilla extract and stir until it’s dissolved.
6. Serve: Pour the matcha latte into your favorite mug and enjoy!

Matcha Latte FAQs

You have questions, and we have answers. Here are some of the top things to know about matcha lattes.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Matcha?

Matcha is rich in certain nutrients and antioxidants, which makes it a great drink to start your morning. These antioxidants, combined with amino acids like L-theanine and compounds like caffeine, can help matcha support clear thinking, encourage immune and digestive health, and support a sense of relaxation.

How Can You Make an Iced Matcha Latte?

We get it — when it’s hot outside, is there anything better than a cool iced drink in your hands? Luckily, you can easily turn this recipe into an iced latte by cooling your milk for a few minutes in the refrigerator and then pouring your latte over ice.

What Is Mushroom Matcha?

Mushroom matcha has all the magnificent flavors of matcha with the added benefits of functional mushrooms. Our Mushroom Matcha+ blend combines ceremonial grade matcha with lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms.

These mushrooms can help support cognitive health and immune health, respectively. Our blend also features extra L-theanine and collagen protein, which can encourage healthy hair, skin, and nails.

The Bottom Line

Matcha lattes are hands-down the best summer drinks. The best part is that you don’t even need to go to the coffee shop to enjoy the fresh taste of matcha — you can brew your own matcha latte at home.

The only thing better than a delicious matcha latte is a matcha latte that also features the benefits of functional mushrooms. To try mushroom matcha for yourself, try our 30-day Mushroom Matcha+ Starter Kit today.

Sources:

Effect of Shading on the Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Characteristics as Well as the Transcriptome of Matcha Green Tea | PMC

Ceremonial Grade Matcha Vs. Culinary Grade Matcha: What's The Difference? | Tasting Table

The Important Health Benefits Of Matcha Tea | Piedmont Healthcare

5 Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits | Cleveland Clinic