Matcha latte
Smooth, creamy matcha latte made at home with whisked green tea powder, a touch of honey and steamed milk. Hot or iced, five minutes, no clumps.
50% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 3 min
- Cooking
- 3 min
- Serves
- 1
- Calories
- 190
- Protein
- 8 g
- Per serving
- $1.38
Why this recipe works
A matcha latte is finely ground green tea whisked to a froth and topped with milk: creamy, earthy and gently energizing, with less caffeine than coffee. Making it at home costs a fraction of the coffee-shop price and you control the sweetness.
- Sifting the matcha before adding water breaks up the tiny clumps that otherwise stay as gritty green specks.
- Water at about 175°F, not boiling, keeps the matcha sweet and grassy; boiling water scorches it and makes it bitter.
- Whisking the matcha into a small amount of water first makes a smooth, frothy paste that blends evenly into the milk.
Ingredients
You will need
- Small fine-mesh sieve
- Bamboo whisk or small whisk or milk frother
- Small saucepan or milk steamer
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Sift the matcha
Sift the matcha through a small sieve into a mug or small bowl.
Whisk
Add the hot water and whisk in quick zigzag strokes (not circles) for about 30 seconds, until smooth with a fine foam and no lumps.
Heat the milk
Heat the milk with the honey over medium heat until steaming, 2 to 3 minutes, then froth it with a whisk or frother. Don't let it boil.
Combine
Pour the frothed milk into the matcha, holding back the foam with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Taste and add more honey if you like.
Cook's notes
- No thermometer? Boil the water and let it stand for about 3 minutes.
- For an iced latte, whisk the matcha with cold water instead, then pour it over ice and cold milk.
- Culinary-grade matcha is fine for lattes; save pricier ceremonial grade for drinking with water alone.
Nutrition per serving
190 calories
$1.38 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 16% of calories | 8 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 47% of calories | 23 g |
| Fat | 37% of calories | 8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
What is the ratio for a matcha latte?
About 1 to 2 teaspoons (2 to 4 g) of matcha whisked into 2 tablespoons of hot water, then topped with 6 to 8 ounces of milk.
Why is my matcha latte bitter?
The water was too hot, the matcha is low quality or stale, or you used too much powder. Use water around 175°F and fresh, bright-green matcha.
Does a matcha latte have caffeine?
Yes, roughly 60 to 70 mg in a latte made with 1½ teaspoons of matcha, a little less than a typical cup of coffee.
