Easy on calories and on the waistline, this matcha latte is the perfect Top o’ the morning St. Paddy’s Day (or any other day) drink. Earthy, sweet and satisfying, this latte contains all of the benefits of green tea, plus the calcium and protein in milk or whatever plant-based milk substitute you choose.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day! If you haven’t had your coffee (or tea!) today this one’s for you.
What is matcha? Ground green teas leaves.
Why drink matcha? There are lots of reasons to add matcha to your diet: 1.) Matcha is loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants; 2.) Matcha contains catchins, which boost immune function and promote cell repair, and 3.) Matcha lattes are downright delicious! In addition, many matcha drinkers claim they achieve a broader sense of clarity – sort of an alert calmness – when the drink matcha as opposed to coffee. (Try it and let me know what you think!)
How much caffeine is in matcha? One teaspoon of matcha powder brewed in water or added to hot milk like in this recipe contains between 50 and 70 mg of caffeine; about the same amount you would get in one cup of coffee.
Why is some matcha bitter? Some people think matcha is a little bitter. That’s often because they’ve mistakenly purchased cooking-grade matcha instead of drinking matcha (also called ceremonial grade matcha). Cooking-grade matcha is taken from the second or third harvest of the leaves, whereas ceremonial grade matcha comes from the first harvest and includes only the highest quality green tea leaves. Both will work in this recipe but ceremonial grade is infinitely better-tasting.
To froth of not to froth? If you’ve got the tools I say FROTH! I use a hand-held PowerLix milk frother that I bought on Amazon. I absolutely love it! You can also use the frother on an espresso machine if you have one, or you can try to froth it a bit with a fork or whisk. The frothy is NOT essential but it surely makes it nicer… and prettier!
It only takes 3-4 minutes to make this earthy, sweet and healthy drink. So sit back, relax and get ready to meet your match(a). Relax. It’s like yoga in a cup!
Peace, love, and good eats, from our Empty Nest to yours.
Trending this week in the ENE kitchen: Teavana Matcha Powder found here.
Green Tea Matcha Latte
Yield 2
Earthy, sweet and satisfying... like yoga in a cup.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces 2% milk, soy milk, or almond milk
- 2 teapoons matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small pot or saucepan, add the milk and heat it until it begins to steam and is hot.
- Stir in the matcha powder, honey or agave, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
- Pour 4 ounces of the heated matcha/milk combo into the frother. Pour the rest into two coffee/tea mugs.
- Follow the directions on the frother to froth the liquid until light and airy. (Be careful, the froth and liquid will be hot!)
- Use a spoon to hold the froth back and pour any unfrothed liquid into the two cups that contain the hot, unfrothed matcha/millk mixture. Then, spoon the remaining froth on top of each cup.
- Garnish with a light sprinkling of matcha powder (or if you’re feeling decadent, a little whipped cream)
Notes
- Recipe analysis is for 2% milk.
- Lactose-free milk, plant-based milks, and whole milk are a little harder to froth. The froth will be more like foam than froth but will still taste delicious.
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 123 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 4 g | 6% | |
Saturated Fat 2 g | 10% | |
Cholesterol 15 mg | 5% | |
Sodium 86 mg | 4% | |
Total Carbohydrates 18 g | 6% | |
Sugars 18 g | ||
Protein 6 g | 12% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
I love this. I will post it on our blog at https://www.biddymurphy.com/blogs/dia-duit/
Even your image has the colors of the Irish National Flag, green white and orange.
Ceremonial grade for me from now on!!
Thanks Ward! I didn’t even think of that when I took the picture and I am married to an Irishman.