Matcha latte

A matcha latte is creamy, smooth and bright green, and increasingly popular. Unlike coffee, matcha is not coffee but finely ground green tea from Japan, whisked with warm or cold milk. The caffeine works more gently as a result: you get a calm energy boost, without the jittery feeling coffee sometimes gives.

Many people think a matcha latte is complicated to make or quickly tastes bitter. It doesn't have to be. With the right matcha and a few simple steps, you can make a delicious matcha latte at home in 5 minutes, without any special equipment. All you need is a whisk or milk frother.

What is a matcha latte?

The name "latte" can sometimes cause confusion, because we often associate it with coffee and milk. With a matcha latte it simply means that warm or frothed milk is added to the matcha.

What makes this drink special is the flavour: lightly grassy, creamy and a bit umami. The caffeine is released gradually, without peaks or crashes. That makes the matcha latte popular with anyone looking for a calmer start to the day or a quiet moment in between.

Recipe info & Ingredients

Recipe info

  • Preparation time: 5 minutes
  • Total time: 5 minutes
  • Servings: 1 glass
  • Category: Tea recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon Japanese matcha powder from Café du Jour (culinary grade or higher)
  • 60 ml hot water (not boiling, ±80°C)
  • 150 ml (plant-based) milk, warm or cold
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon honey, agave syrup or another sweetener

Optional:

  • Vanilla extract, cinnamon or ice cubes

Preparation instructions

  1. Put the matcha powder in a bowl and sift it if needed to prevent lumps. This gives you an extra smooth result.
  2. Pour the hot water (not boiling) over the matcha. Use water of around 80 degrees, otherwise the flavour becomes bitter.
  3. Use a bamboo matcha whisk (chasen), a regular whisk or a milk frother to whisk the powder with the water. Move in an M- or W-shape until the mixture foams and has no more lumps.
  4. Heat the milk (if serving warm) and froth it lightly. For an iced version, add ice cubes to cold milk.
  5. Pour the milk into a glass and carefully pour the matcha on top. This creates beautiful layers. Prefer it mixed? Stir briefly before drinking.

Serving tips and variations

For a refreshing iced matcha latte, fill a glass with ice cubes, use cold milk and pour the whisked matcha on top.

Matcha latte with coconut milk

Coconut milk gives a matcha latte a subtly sweet, tropical undertone and an extra creamy texture. For the best result, use carton coconut milk (coconut drink), not the thick canned coconut milk, as that is too concentrated to froth well.

Making a matcha latte without a frother

You don't need a chasen or milk frother to make a matcha latte. A regular whisk works fine, as long as you whisk firmly enough. Have neither to hand? Put the matcha and hot water in a sealable jar or shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, until a light layer of foam forms.

How to sweeten a matcha latte

If you like it pure, you can leave out the sweetener. A teaspoon of honey or agave syrup adds a soft, rounded sweetness without overpowering the matcha flavour. Prefer it sugar-free? A little vanilla extract already gives the flavour enough roundness without needing to sweeten it.

Prefer a version for summer? Then also check out our iced matcha latte recipe.

Use this matcha for your matcha latte

For a creamy and flavourful matcha latte, the quality of the matcha is at least as important as the milk you use. Preferably choose a high-quality matcha with a soft, full flavour that comes into its own in a latte.

For a truly flavourful matcha latte, good matcha powder is essential. At Café du Jour you'll find matcha of high quality, specially selected for a rich green colour and a soft, non-bitter flavour.

Our culinary matcha is ideal for lattes: it froths nicely, blends well with milk and has a full, slightly sweet aftertaste.

Frequently asked questions about the matcha latte recipe
Is a matcha latte healthy?
Matcha contains antioxidants, amino acids and a small amount of caffeine. It provides a calm energy boost without spikes, which makes it popular with those looking for a healthier alternative to coffee.
Can I make a matcha latte without milk?
You can also drink matcha on its own with just water. The latte version is popular because of the creaminess of milk, but without milk you taste the pure flavour of matcha even more intensely.
Why does my matcha taste bitter?
Bitter matcha is usually the result of water that’s too hot or a low-quality matcha. Use water at around 80 degrees and opt for culinary or ceremonial grade for a smooth, full flavour.
How do I best store matcha powder?
Matcha is sensitive to light, air and moisture. Store it airtight, in a dark and cool place, preferably in the fridge. This way, it retains its flavour and beautiful colour for longer.
Is matcha the same as coffee?
No, matcha is not coffee. Matcha is finely ground green tea from Japan, while coffee is made from roasted coffee beans. Both contain caffeine, but the caffeine in matcha is released more gradually. This gives a calm energy boost without the peaks and crashes coffee sometimes causes.
Which milk is best to use?
For a creamy matcha latte, milk with some fat content works best, such as whole cow's milk or a rich plant-based option. Oat milk is popular because it's naturally creamy and froths well. Almond and soy milk also work well, as long as you watch the fat content: low-fat versions froth less firmly and let the matcha flavour come through less.
How many calories are in a matcha latte?
Pure matcha contains almost no calories: 1 teaspoon (about 2 grams) provides only around 5 to 6 kcal. Most of the calories in a matcha latte therefore come from the milk and any sweetener. With the amounts in this recipe (150 ml milk, 1 teaspoon matcha), you reach about 25 to 40 kcal with almond milk, 60 to 75 kcal with oat milk, 55 to 80 kcal with soy milk, 70 to 80 kcal with semi-skimmed cow's milk and 90 to 95 kcal with whole cow's milk. If you add a teaspoon of honey or agave syrup, that adds about another 20 kcal. These are averages; the exact number of calories varies by brand and variety, so for a precise figure always check the label of your milk.