Matcha Latte
A creamy, vibrant green matcha latte with ceremonial-grade powder and steamed milk — a café favourite you can perfect at home.
About This Recipe
Matcha (抹茶) is finely stone-ground green tea made from shade-grown tencha leaves. The shading process before harvest forces the leaves to produce more chlorophyll and L-theanine, giving matcha its characteristic vivid green colour, earthy-vegetal flavour and calm, focused energy — distinct from the jittery effect of coffee. A matcha latte combines a concentrated matcha shot with steamed or frothed milk for a smooth, subtly sweet drink that has become one of the most popular café beverages of the 2020s. The key is whisking the matcha properly and using water that is not boiling, which would make it bitter.
Ingredients
Serves 1
- 2 tspmatcha powder(ceremonial grade)
- 60 mlhot water(80°C (not boiling))
- 200 mlmilk(oat, almond or dairy)
- 1–2 tsphoney or maple syrup(optional, to taste)
Instructions
- 1
Sift matcha
Sift matcha powder into a small bowl or mug.
Sifting removes clumps and helps the powder incorporate smoothly.
- 2
Whisk
Add 60 ml water at 80°C. Whisk vigorously in a W-motion (or use a bamboo chasen whisk) until smooth and frothy with no lumps.
- 3
Steam milk
Steam or heat milk until hot and frothy. For iced latte, use cold milk.
- 4
Combine
Pour milk over matcha concentrate. Sweeten if desired. Serve immediately.
Did you make this?
Rate it and help other cooks find the recipes that actually work.
One tap to sign in, and we'll save the rating you just picked.
Everything you need to plan your week — free
- Meal calendar
- Grocery list
- AI recipe ideas
Track what you eat
Snap your meal to log calories and macros, run fasting timers and track water in the free SnapCal app.
Pro Tips
- →
Boiling water turns matcha bitter — 80°C is ideal.
- →
Sifting removes clumps and helps the powder incorporate smoothly.
- →
Taste and adjust salt at the very end — flavors concentrate as liquids reduce, and a final pinch of flaky salt sharpens the whole dish.
- →
Mise en place pays for itself: chop, measure and pre-mix everything before the heat goes on, especially for any step that moves fast.
Variations
- •
For iced matcha, pour over ice then add cold milk.
- •
Add a shot of espresso for a 'dirty matcha'.
- •
Blend with ice and milk for a matcha frappuccino.
- •
Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.
Storage
Drink immediately. Prepared matcha concentrate keeps 24 hours in the fridge.
History & Origin
Matcha has been central to Japanese tea ceremony (chado) since it was brought from China by the monk Eisai in the 12th century. Matcha lattes became globally popular in the early 2010s as Western cafés began incorporating Japanese ingredients, and their popularity has grown every year since.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ceremonial and culinary grade matcha?
Ceremonial grade is made from the youngest, most tender leaves with the finest flavour and brightest green colour — ideal for lattes. Culinary grade is more bitter and less vibrant, intended for baking and cooking.
Does matcha have more caffeine than coffee?
A matcha latte (2 tsp) has roughly 70–80mg caffeine — less than a typical espresso (60–80mg per shot). The L-theanine in matcha moderates the caffeine effect, creating calm alertness rather than jitters.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — most of the components can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated separately. Reheat gently and assemble just before serving so textures stay distinct.
What can I substitute if I don't have all the ingredients?
Stay close to the role each ingredient plays: swap aromatics for similar ones (shallot for onion, lime for lemon), and keep the fat-acid-salt balance intact. Spice blends can usually be approximated with what's in the cupboard.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · 1 servings total
Time Summary
Have Questions?
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →Featured in Guides
This recipe is featured in the following curated guides:
More Japanese Recipes
You Might Also Like
Similar dishes from other cuisines around the world.
Free Kitchen Tools
Calculators and converters that pair with this page — no signup needed.
Put This Into a Plan
Schedule it, shop for it, and track what you already have.
Read Next
Longer reads that go deeper on the ideas behind this dish.
Community
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes