Matcha Latte
A matcha latte is just whisked matcha plus warm or cold milk, but the difference between flat and great is all technique. Sift the powder, hydrate it with a splash of hot water, then add milk. Skip those steps and you get clumps and a chalky finish.
- Prep time
- 5 minutes
- Servings
- 1 cup (300 ml)
- Difficulty
- Easy
Ingredients
- 1–2 tsp ceremonial-grade matcha powder (1–2 g)
- 30 ml hot water (~80 °C / 175 °F, not boiling)
- 240 ml milk of choice (oat and whole dairy work best)
- 1–2 tsp sweetener (honey, maple, simple syrup) — optional
Instructions
- 1Sift the matcha into a bowl or wide cup. Sifting is the difference between smooth and chalky — never skip it.
- 2Pour in the hot water (off-boil, around 80 °C / 175 °F). Whisk vigorously in a zigzag with a chasen or a small electric frother for 15–20 seconds until it's a smooth emerald liquid with fine foam.
- 3Heat the milk to about 60 °C / 140 °F (steaming, not boiling) and froth it. For iced, skip heating and use cold milk over ice.
- 4Pour the matcha into a serving cup, then add the milk slowly to keep some of the foam on top. Sweeten if you want.
Tips
- Use water under 85 °C / 185 °F. Boiling water makes matcha bitter and kills the umami.
- Oat and whole milk hold matcha's flavor better than skim or almond.
- If you don't have a chasen, a handheld milk frother works fine for lattes.
- Sweetener mixes more evenly into the matcha base than into milk afterward.
FAQ
How much matcha do I use for a latte?
1 to 2 grams (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) per 240 ml of milk. Start with 1 tsp if you're new to matcha and adjust up.
Can I make a matcha latte without a whisk?
Yes — use a small electric frother, or shake matcha + hot water in a sealed jar for 30 seconds before adding milk.
Why is my matcha latte clumpy?
Two usual culprits: water that's too hot (over 85 °C kills the texture) or skipping the sift. Always sift, always use off-boil water.
Hot or iced — which tastes better?
Iced highlights matcha's vegetal sweetness; hot brings out the umami. For ceremonial grade, hot. For everyday lattes, iced is more forgiving.