Learn How to Make Matcha Latte Taste Better with These Tips
Matcha lattes are a tasty tea treat with plenty of benefits, but their bold grassy flavor can be a bit of a turn-off. Learn how to make matcha latte taste better by giving this vibrant drink an upgrade with these easy and delicious latte tricks!
What is a matcha latte?
A matcha latte is a simple combination of matcha tea and milk. Matcha is a type of green tea with a high caffeine content and eye-catching vibrant green color. Although the caffeine content of matcha is just right, the flavor can be very grassy and even have a slightly bitter vegetal taste, so it is mixed with steamed or cold milk to make a smooth and tasty latte.
Unlike regular whole leaf green tea leaves, matcha tea is generally found in a fine powder. Some of these tea powders have added sugar (commonly found in Starbucks matcha drinks) or natural sweeteners to help soften the grassy flavor, but if that’s still leaving you wanting a little extra flavor there are a few tasty tricks you can use to make matcha taste better.
How to Make Matcha Latte Taste Better
If you want to mix up your usual tea routine and try something totally delicious, try one of these deliciously simple tips to make the best matcha latte!
Chill Out
One of the easiest ways to influence the flavor profile of your matcha latte is to change the temperature. No matter if you make your own matcha latte or grab it from one of the local coffee shops, switching from hot to cold can make a big difference!
To make a tasty homemade iced matcha latte combine matcha powder, milk, and optional sweetener in a tumbler or blender. Shake or blend until nice and smooth and then pour it over ice and enjoy!
Mix Up the Milk
Dairy milk is awesome for hot lattes because with whole milk, it’s easy to get the ideal foamy texture for latte art, but changing to a milk alternative can take your matcha recipes to the next level! Some non-dairy milks have natural and added flavors that can really bring out the amazing leafiness of this tea latte.
Try alternative milk in either hot or iced matcha lattes. A few of the most delicious non-dairy milk options to highlight the yummy green tea taste in matcha latte include:
- Coconut Milk
- Macadamia Milk
- Oat Milk
- Soy Milk
- Almond Milk
Try one of these yummy options in your next matcha latte and you’ll never want to go back to dairy again!
Sweeten the Deal
Although some type of matcha powders do have added sweeteners, like the Starbucks matcha powder, some varieties just need a little extra pop! Adding sweetener to a matcha latte recipe can balance the bitter flavors from the tea and highlight the creamy notes of the milk. It’s the easiest and best way to level out the bold leafy flavor. Don’t stress if you’re going sugar-free because there are lots of great sweeteners available and many of them have no sugar!
The perfect way to stir some sweetness into your matcha latte are liquid or powdered sweeteners. Liquid sweeteners include sugar-based and sugar-free flavor syrups, agave syrup, maple syrup, and honey. Powdered sweeteners include sugar, erythritol, monk fruit, stevia, and cane sugar. With all of these amazing taste options, there is sure to be a sweet flavor that suits your diet and your taste buds!
Foamy Flavor
The texture is a huge part of flavor and getting the right texture in a matcha latte is so important and the key to a great latte is all in the foam. A hot matcha latte with perfectly steamed milk has a velvety soft and smooth foam texture throughout the drink.
The secret is that foam lovers can have it both ways and enjoy a foamy latte even when it’s iced! Make your iced matcha latte even more delicious by asking for some cold foam on top! It’s a creamy textural twist that will leave you wanting more!
At home, baristas can rejoice because foam is easy to make at home! You can craft a quick cold foam in your countertop blender or use a milk frother or French press to froth hot milk into a nice smooth foam.
Get Friendly with Fruit
The bright green flavor of this creamy and delicious drink is perfect when matched with the right fruity notes. Adding a little fruit flavor can help to balance the flavor of matcha and make your latte into a surprising and fresh treat!
Matcha flavor is beautiful when paired with strawberry, raspberry, or even a little sweet citrus. You can add a splash of orange juice to an iced matcha latte to give it the citrus kick or try a strawberry syrup in your hot matcha latte for a fruity flair you’ll want to taste again. Just don’t forget to garnish your twisted fruity matcha with a few pieces of fresh fruit in the cup or on the rim for a beautifully fresh take on green tea! Blend your fruit and matcha mixture together to create a delicious matcha smoothie!
Lets Get Healthy
Matcha is know for its health benefits and being rich in amino acid content. One way to take advantage of these benefits is by making a matcha shot. Using a matcha whisk, whisk ceremonial-grade matcha with hot water and lemon juice. Pour into a shot glass and enjoy the health benefits in a quick fashion.
Vibe with Vanilla
Vanilla is a unique flavor that works really well to highlight or balance other bold flavors, like matcha. A little vanilla adds some natural sweetness along with notes of woodiness, and nuttiness, making this the perfect mix-in for your latte! Use vanilla syrup or even a hint of pure vanilla extract to bring this silky-sweet flavor to your hot or iced matcha latte.
Choose Chocolate
Although it may sound a little kooky, chocolate and matcha is actually a great matcha combination. The added sweetness of milk or white chocolate can bring balance to the creamy green flavor of this tea latte.
When it comes to matcha and chocolate, two types reign supreme, white chocolate and milk chocolate. Both of these varieties have added milk and sugar that make them sweet enough to balance the mildly bitter green tea flavor.
If you want to experiment with this flavor combo, mix a white chocolate sauce into your hot or iced matcha latte for a surprisingly satisfying flavor! Or make it a green zebra latte by finishing it with a milk chocolate sauce drizzle; either way, you will have a dazzling drink!
Blend it Together
One more chilling trick for this luscious green tea latte is to try it blended! Mixing matcha, milk, and ice in a blender makes for a smooth and ice cream-like treat that is all grown up! Order your matcha latte blended from your favorite local coffee shop or try your hand at making this simple drink at home. No matter how you get it, don’t forget the tasty whipped cream topping on this delicious iced tea drink!
With all the options outlined above on how to make matcha latte taste better, there is sure to be something that will resonate with all tea drinkers! While you’re here, check out our healthy matcha latte recipe!
Looking for more delicious recipes? Check out our latest recipes, below: