Matcha Latte

Article by: Kelly Vaughan

Matcha, vibrant green finely ground tea leaves with roots in both Chinese and Japanese culture, can easily made into a simple, energizing cup of tea at home. Using high-quality matcha is essential. With just a few extra minutes, you can upgrade your simple cup of matcha tea into a matcha latte just like the kind you might buy for $7 at your local coffee shop. Here’s exactly how.

How to Make a Matcha Latte

Follow this step-by-step guide to making a homemade matcha latte.

Sift the matcha. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth and silky matcha is sifting the matcha powder through using a fine-mesh strainer into a large prep bowl.

Whisk in the hot water. To help “bloom” the matcha and bring out its natural flavors, use hot, but not boiling water. Use a bamboo whisk to vigorously incorporate the water into the sifted matcha, drawing an “M” shape until no lumps remain and the mixture is frothy on top.

Heat the milk (optional). Craving a hot matcha latte? Microwave the milk until it’s hot and steamy, then whisk it until it’s frothy.

Combine everything. Pour the matcha base and simple syrup (if using) into a small mug, then top with the frothy milk. If it’s a hot day and you’d prefer to sip an iced matcha latte, skip heating the milk and instead, pour cold milk into a glass filled with ice and top with the matcha base. Add simple syrup to sweeten, if that’s what you prefer.

More Matcha Recipes

Once you’ve mastered the art of a homemade matcha latte, you can experiment with baking other matcha-infused recipes. Here are some of our favorites.

These Green Tea Cookies are perfect for anyone who wants a not-too-sweet dessert.

The soft, earthy notes of matcha powder are well-balanced alongside vanilla-infused cream and sweet strawberries in this Matcha-Poppy Seed Panna Cotta.

Up for a baking project? Try your hand at Molly Yeh’s Matcha Mochi Doughnuts.

Matcha Latte FAQ

Why the Specific Whisking Method?

The whisking method of drawing an “M” or “W” shape help break up clumps and incorporates air to create a smooth and frothy matcha base leading to better flavor and texture. Other gadgets like a whisk or handheld frothier don’t achieve the same smooth and frothy base.

What Is the Best Matcha Powder to Buy?

If you’ve ever shopped for matcha powder before, then you probably know that there’s a huge range of options at vastly different price points. We recommend choosing a mid-range matcha powder, which is typically priced between $40 to $50.

Beyond price, look for ceremonial grade matcha, which is known for its iconic bright green color, fine grind, and grassy, umami-rich flavor. In our testing, we found that cheaper matcha powders had a slightly darker green color, grittier texture, and milder flavor.

What Equipment Do You Need to Make a Matcha Latte?

There are a lot of gadgets that claim to make the best matcha, but you don’t need to invest in any pricey tools to make this drink at home. The only exception is a bamboo matcha whisk, which makes quick work of getting rid of any clumps to create a frothy, flavorful matcha.

Although some people recommend using a matcha bowl, we don’t think that one is necessary, especially for occasional drinkers. Any wide, flat-bottomed bowl will achieve the same goal of preventing the matcha whisk from curving too much or breaking.

Should You Put Sugar In Matcha?

Adding some form of sweetener to a homemade matcha latte is an entirely personal preference. We like to use simple syrup in both hot or iced matcha lattes, but you can also add flavored versions like vanilla or caramel too. If you don’t have any simple syrup, you can add 1 teaspoon granulated sugar to the matcha so it can dissolve easily in the hot water.