This simple homemade matcha latte recipe only takes 5 minutes to make and is the perfect alternative to your morning cup of coffee! This latte is packed with antioxidants and is dairy-free.

a matcha latte in a blue mug

What is Matcha?

Matcha green tea is a type of premium green tea that is made by grinding the dried green tea leaves into a fine powder. Unlike your typical green tea that is added to a tea bag and steeped in a cup of hot water, matcha powder is added directly to hot water.

Matcha is sourced from Japan and contains nutrients from the entire leaf, making it packed with antioxidants. Matcha is also higher in caffeine than green tea.

Matcha powder (also sometimes called green tea powder) can be found at many online retailers (including Amazon) or at your local health food store.

Why you’ll love this green tea latte

  • Easy to make. This homemade matcha green tea latte is easy to make at home and only takes 5 minutes.
  • Cheaper than Starbucks. We all know that a latte at Starbucks can rack up quite the bill these days! So why not make one at home instead? Not only is it cheaper but it’s healthier too.
  • A great alternative to coffee. If you’re tired of drinking coffee every morning but aren’t ready to give up caffeine, a matcha latte makes a great alternative.

Difference between ceremonial grade matcha and culinary matcha

There are a few different varieties of matcha you may come across, and you might be wondering what the difference is and which type to use. So let’s walk through the two main types!

  1. Ceremonial matcha: this is the highest quality matcha that is made for drinking as tea or in lattes. Ceremonial-grade matcha is made with the youngest tea leaves, giving it a very smooth and creamy taste. This type of matcha will also have a vibrant green colour.
  2. Culinary matcha: this type of matcha is lower grade than ceremonial matcha and has a cheaper price point. It’s still good but has a slightly less creamy taste and can be more bitter. Culinary matcha is often used in cooking and baking to make things like matcha energy balls or matcha muffins.

When it comes to matcha lattes, I recommend using ceremonial-grade matcha, but culinary-grade matcha will work too. (And it will still taste good!)

Homemade matcha latte ingredients

ingredients for a matcha latte
  • Matcha powder: I recommend using ceremonial-grade matcha for this latte recipe for the best taste!
  • Water: simply boil water from the kettle.
  • Maple syrup: to sweeten if you like. You can also use honey, sugar or a sweetener like stevia. If you don’t like your lattes sweetened, leave this out.
  • Oat milk: I like oat milk because it has a creamy texture which tastes great in lattes. You can use any type of milk you like.
  • Vanilla extract (optional): a hint of vanilla is delicious in this latte, but completely optional.

How to make a matcha latte

Step 1

Add one teaspoon of matcha powder directly to your mug.

matcha powder being poured into a mug

Step 2

Heat 1/2 cup of water to 175 degrees F and add the water to the mug. Whisk the matcha powder and the water together until combined and slightly bubbly. Then add the maple syrup and vanilla extract.

Tip: You can use a regular small whisk, a bamboo whisk or an electric frother.

a whisk whisking matcha and water in a mug

Step 3

If frothing the oat milk, add the milk to a frother and froth. Otherwise, heat the milk in a small pot on the stove. Then pour the oat milk into the mug.

Tip: I use this milk frother to froth and heat the oat milk.

milk being poured into a cup of matcha tea

Recipe variations

Iced matcha latte: prefer your lattes iced? No problem! Whisk together the matcha powder, hot water, maple syrup and vanilla, then add to a large glass filled with ice. Rather than heating the oat milk, just pour it directly into the glass!

Flavoured matcha latte: if you love lattes flavoured with syrups, you can add a pump of your favourite type of syrup to the matcha latte.

Matcha latte expert tips

  • Make sure the matcha is made in Japan. Real matcha powder is made in Japan. Check the label when purchasing matcha to make sure it’s authentic.
  • Choose matcha powder that is bright green. One key giveaway that ceremonial grade matcha powder is actually good quality is its bright green colour. If the matcha powder looks very light and pale, it may not be of great quality.
  • Add more or less matcha powder to the latte. Depending on your personal taste, you may want to add more or less matcha powder to the latte. (Anywhere from 1/2 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons per serving.)
  • Use a “barista blend” plant-based milk. When buying oat milk or another type of plant-based milk, look for one that says “barista blend” on the label. This will ensure that the milk will froth up. (Not all regular plant-based milk froths.)

Frequently asked questions

Is a matcha latte healthier than coffee?

Both matcha and coffee have great benefits, but matcha is a better healthy option if you’re looking for something with a bit less caffeine and that is less acidic.

How much caffeine is in a match latte?

1 tsp of matcha powder has about 70 mg of caffeine. If you make matcha tea with 1 tsp of coffee it will have 70mg of caffeine vs. a cup of coffee will have about 100mg of caffeine.

two mugs of matcha lattes topped with matcha powder

More cozy drinks to try

If you tried this Matcha Latte Recipe or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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a matcha latte in a blue mug

Matcha Latte

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Boil
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

A simple homemade matcha latte ready in 5 minutes

Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Add the matcha powder to a mug with the hot water, maple syrup and vanilla and whisk together until dissolved.
  2. If frothing the oat milk, heat in a milk frother. Otherwise, heat in a pot on the stove.
  3. Pour the oat milk into the mug and lightly mix and enjoy!

Notes

*If you want to froth the milk make sure to use a brand that can froth (not all can.) I recommend buying oat milk or plant-based milk that says “barista blend” on it to ensure the milk will froth.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 latte
  • Calories: 88
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g