Making Matcha Latte

What is Matcha Latte?

A Matcha Latte is a harmonious composition of intense Matcha tea and creamy milk. It combines the deep green color of the Matcha with a gentle foamy head and offers a delicious alternative for anyone who wants to experience something new beyond the everyday coffee.

The Origin of the Mixed Drink

Matcha latte, the trendy drink that emerged from the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, has carved out a permanent place in the world of healthy drinks in recent years. Making a matcha latte is a process that can be both artistic and meditative, and offers a wonderful alternative to morning coffee.

Choosing the right matcha quality

Why do I need high-quality matcha powder?

Preparing a matcha latte starts with choosing the right matcha powder . If you want to use a lot of matcha, you should go for a higher quality, which can also be drunk neat, as it contains fewer bitter substances.

Good examples of this would be:

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Matcha Miumori

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Matcha Yame Hoshino

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Matcha Gyokujou

If you want to use less powder in your Matcha Latte or a lot of milk, you can also get by with lower qualities, with slightly more bitter notes.

The Midori Matcha 100g offers great value for money for only 19.5€.

Recipes for Matcha Latte

The classic Matcha Latte:

Ingredients:

• 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder
• 30 ml warm water (not boiling, about 80°C)
• 250 ml milk (or a plant-based alternative)
• Optional: sweetener such as honey or agave syrup

Utensils:

• Matcha whisk (Chasen)
• Matcha spoon (Chashaku ) or teaspoon
• matcha sieve
• milk frother or small whisk
• bowl or cup for mixing the matcha

Preparation instructions:

1. Sift the matcha powder into the bowl to avoid lumps.
2. Pour the warm water over the matcha powder.
3. Use the matcha whisk to mix the powder and water into a lump-free, smooth tea.
4. Heat the milk until just before boiling and froth it.
5. Pour the frothed milk into a cup and add the stirred matcha tea.
6. Sweeten as needed and enjoy your Matcha Latte.

Iced Matcha Latte Recipes

To make a refreshing Iced Matcha Latte, you can either use a shaker for a quick and easy method, or opt for the traditional preparation using a matcha bowl and bamboo whisk to whip the matcha powder to perfection.

Pro tip: To avoid making your iced matcha latte even thinner with normal ice, you can prepare matcha ice cubes, which will actually improve the taste as they melt and will also enhance the look of your iced matcha latte. Simply mix matcha with water and pour the liquid into an ice cube tray.

Iced Matcha Latte in a shaker:

Ingredients:

• 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder
• 30-60 ml of warm water
• 240 ml milk (or a plant-based alternative)
• ice cubes
• Optional: sweetener of your choice (e.g. honey, agave syrup, sugar)

Directions:

1. Prepare matcha: Put the matcha powder in the shaker. Add the warm water. Close the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until the matcha powder is completely dissolved and a light foam forms.
2. Chilling: Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker to quickly cool and further dilute the matcha.
3. Add milk: Pour the milk and optional sweetener over the ice cubes into the shaker.
4. Shake: Close the shaker again and shake vigorously until the mixture is well chilled and frothy.
5. Serving: Pour your Iced Matcha Latte into a large glass. If desired, you can add additional ice cubes.

Traditional Iced Matcha Latte:

Ingredients:

• 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder
• 60 ml warm water (not boiling, about 80°C)
• 240 ml milk (or a plant-based alternative)
• ice cubes
• Optional: sweetener of your choice

Directions:

1. Mixing matcha: Sift the matcha powder into a matcha bowl to avoid lumps. Pour the warm water over the powder. Use a bamboo whisk (chasen) to whip the matcha powder by quickly whisking in an M or W shape until a fine foam forms.
2. Cooling: Fill a large glass with ice cubes.
3. Milk and sweetener: Pour the milk and optional sweetener over the ice into the glass.
4. Add Matcha: Gently pour the foamed matcha over the milk, allowing the layers to blend slightly.
5. Serving: Enjoy your traditional Iced Matcha Latte with a straw or a spoon to mix the layers as you drink.

Both methods produce a deliciously refreshing iced matcha latte, perfect for hot days or when you need an energy boost. Experiment with the amount of matcha powder and sweetener to find your perfect taste.

Koicha Latte Recipe

A Koicha Latte is an exquisite twist on the classic Matcha Latte, featuring a more intense flavor and thicker consistency. Koicha, which literally means "thick tea," is a preparation of Matcha prized in the Japanese tea ceremony for its richness and depth. This recipe is for those who want to experience the full spectrum of Matcha flavor in a creamy, luxurious drink.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 tsp Koicha quality matcha powder (for a more intense matcha experience)
• 40 ml of warm water (about 70-80°C)
• 250 ml milk (or a plant-based alternative)
• Optional: sweetener of your choice (e.g. honey, agave syrup)

Utensils:

• Matcha whisk (Chasen)
• Matcha spoon (chashaku) or a small spoon
• matcha sieve
• milk frother

Preparation:

1. Prepare Matcha: Start by sifting the Koicha Matcha powder through a sieve into a bowl to prevent lumps. Add the warm water and use the matcha whisk to vigorously stir the mixture into a thick, smooth paste. The consistency should be noticeably thicker than a regular matcha tea, almost syrupy.

2. Heat and froth milk: Heat the milk in a saucepan on the stove or with an electric milk frother until it is hot but not boiling. Froth the milk until it is nice and creamy. Plant-based milk alternatives such as almond or soy milk are also great.

3. To combine: Pour the koicha paste into a pre-warmed cup. Slowly add the steamed milk to create a beautiful layer. The thick koicha combined with the creamy milk creates a particularly rich taste experience.

4. Sweeten to taste: If desired, add sweetener of your choice and stir gently to distribute evenly.

5. Enjoyment: Enjoy your Koicha Latte as a special start to the day or as a well-deserved break. The intensity of the Koicha combined with the creamy milk creates a Matcha experience that is both invigorating and calming.

This Koicha Latte recipe is characterized by its deep flavor and velvety texture, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate the full-bodied nuances of matcha in an indulgent milk drink. It pays homage to the art of matcha preparation and offers a luxurious twist on the popular latte.

What does Matcha Latte taste like?

The taste of a matcha latte is unique and complex. It combines the earthy, tart notes of the matcha with the creamy sweetness of the milk. A well-prepared matcha latte does not taste overly bitter, but rather balanced and slightly sweet when a sweetener is added.

What is Matcha Latte good for?

Matcha Latte is not only great for its unique taste, but also for its many health benefits. It is particularly rich in antioxidants, including catechins, which may play an important role in cancer prevention. These antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which in turn can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases.

EGCG in Matcha Latte

A specific catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is present in high amounts in matcha and has been linked to a number of positive health effects, including supporting heart health and possibly inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells.

Matcha Latte for Weight Loss

In addition to its antioxidant properties, matcha can also boost metabolism and increase fat burning, making it a useful companion in weight loss efforts. The combination of caffeine and catechins in matcha can increase thermogenesis and therefore increase energy expenditure, which can contribute to more effective weight loss.

How does a Matcha Latte work?

Another notable feature of matcha is its caffeine content, which creates a unique effect when combined with L-theanine. While caffeine is known for its energy boost, matcha offers a smoother and more sustained source of energy compared to traditional coffee. This is due to the time-release of the caffeine, made possible by the presence of L-theanine. L-theanine, an amino acid found in the matcha plant, is known for its calming properties and promotes a relaxed alertness. This combination results in a longer and more consistent energy boost, without the typical highs and lows often associated with coffee.

Additionally, L-Theanine works synergistically with caffeine to improve cognitive function by promoting focus and attention without causing restlessness. This unique blend makes matcha an ideal drink for those seeking a sustained source of mental clarity and energy, whether for everyday work, studying, or simply to support an active lifestyle.

Is Matcha Latte Healthier Than Coffee?

While a cappuccino, which is best compared to a matcha latte, impresses with its strong coffee flavor and thick foam, the matcha latte offers a gentler source of caffeine that provides energy over a longer period of time without the side effects often associated with coffee, such as stomach upset or nervous restlessness. The creamy foam of a matcha latte may be reminiscent of a cappuccino, but the matcha latte offers a very special taste experience.

Matcha Latte is better tolerated than coffee

Matcha is known to be gentler on the stomach than coffee, making it an excellent choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine acid. Additionally, due to its thermogenic properties, matcha can help increase calorie burn and promote fat burning.

Consistency of Matcha Latte and the comparison with Cappuccino

While a cappuccino impresses with the intense aroma of espresso and a thick head of foam, the matcha latte offers a different kind of enjoyment. The foam of a matcha latte is lighter and the overall consistency of the drink is less heavy. It is a drink that is often described as being gentler on the stomach and as an aid to weight loss, as matcha can stimulate the metabolism and promote a feeling of satiety.

conclusion

A Matcha Latte is not just a drink, but also an experience. It embodies the combination of tradition and modernity and offers an insight into a world in which health and enjoyment go hand in hand. Preparing a Matcha Latte can be a meditative practice and offers a welcome break in our often hectic everyday lives. Whether as a morning pick-me-up or as a relaxing break in the afternoon - the Matcha Latte is a drink that enriches in many ways.