People often ask me how to make a good matcha latte at home. The good news is that it is just as simple as making a bowl of matcha. With good quality matcha powder, a bamboo whisk, hot (not boiling) water and warm milk, you can make a delicious matcha latte in just a few minutes.
Preparing a Matcha Latte at Home
You will need:
- 2g matcha (about 1½ bamboo teaspoons)
- 70ml hot water (around 80°C)
- 70ml warm milk
- A chawan (tea bowl)
- A bamboo chasen (whisk)
Method
1. Add the matcha
Sift 2g of matcha into your tea bowl using a small tea strainer.
2. Add the water
Pour 70ml of hot water at around 80°C into the bowl. Boiling water can make matcha taste more bitter, so I always recommend letting the water cool slightly first.
3. Whisk
Using a bamboo chasen, whisk the matcha vigorously for around 15 seconds until it is smooth and frothy. Move the whisk quickly in a vertical zigzag motion, rather than stirring in a circular motion.
4. Add the milk
Warm around 70ml of milk before adding it to the matcha. It does not need to be frothy. Pour the milk gently into the bowl.
5. Enjoy
Your matcha latte is now ready to drink.
A Few Tips
Soak your chasen
Before making matcha, I recommend standing your bamboo chasen in cold water for around five minutes. This helps the tines become more flexible, which makes whisking easier and helps prevent damage. It also helps prevent the bamboo from being stained green by the matcha.
Sift your matcha
If your matcha has formed small lumps, sift it into the tea bowl before adding the water. I recommend using a small tea strainer and gently pushing the matcha through with a spoon. This will help you make a smoother bowl of matcha.
Care for your chasen
After making matcha, rinse your chasen with hot water and leave it to dry on a chasen stand. This helps it keep its shape and will help it last longer.
Which milk should I use?
People often ask me which milk I recommend for a matcha latte. My favourite is Bonsoy, as I think it works beautifully with matcha. If you prefer oat milk, I also like Oatly Semi. Sometimes I froth it, and sometimes I simply pour in warm milk. I enjoy it both ways.
Which Matcha Should I Use?
From our collection, I particularly recommend:
Keiko Uchida Organic Matcha – Wabisuke and Uraku
Marukyu Koyamaen – Wako and Unkaku
Hoshino Seichaen – Hoshino Tsuyu and Ikeno Shiro
I usually drink three or four cups of matcha throughout the day. Sometimes I enjoy it as traditional matcha, and sometimes as a matcha latte. Both are refreshing, calming and one of my favourite ways to enjoy tea.
I hope this helps you enjoy making matcha lattes at home. For me, preparing a matcha latte is always a chance to slow down for a few minutes and enjoy a peaceful moment.
If you have any questions about making matcha at home, please feel free to email us at hello@keikouchida.com. We are always happy to help you choose the right matcha or tea ware and share our love of Japanese tea.