Matcha latte: how to make a fluffy matcha

A matcha latte is creamy, smooth and bright green in colour. This Japanese drink is more popular than ever, and it’s no surprise. Matcha gives you a mild energy boost without the jittery feeling of coffee. Still, many people think matcha latte is tricky to make or quickly tastes bitter. Luckily, that’s not the case at all.

With the right matcha and a few simple steps, you can make a delicious matcha latte at home. You don’t need any special equipment, just a whisk or milk frother and a bit of attention.

What is a matcha latte?

At first glance, a matcha latte might look like a regular latte, but instead of coffee you use matcha here: finely ground green tea leaves from Japan. Matcha is not coffee, but a type of tea with a rich history and a unique production process.

The name ‘latte’ can sometimes cause confusion, because we often associate it with coffee and milk. Here, it simply means that warm or frothed milk is added.

What makes this drink special is the flavour: lightly grassy, creamy and a bit umami. The caffeine in matcha also works differently than in coffee. It gives you a calm, gradual energy without peaks or crashes. That’s why matcha latte is loved by those seeking a calmer start to the day or a mindful coffee moment.

Recipe info & Ingredients

Recipe info

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

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon matcha powder (culinary grade or higher)
• 60 ml hot water (not boiling, about 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 will give you an extra smooth result.
2. Pour the hot water (not boiling) over the matcha. Use water 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 lumps.
4. Heat the milk (if serving warm) and froth lightly. For an iced version, simply 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 to mix? 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 frothed matcha on top.

Prefer plant-based? Oat milk gives a creamy result, but almond, coconut or soy milk also work well, as long as the milk has some fat content. This makes the foam firmer and keeps the flavour nicely balanced.

If you like it pure, you can skip the sweetener, but a teaspoon of honey, agave syrup or a hint of vanilla adds extra softness.

Fancy a spicy twist? Add some cinnamon, cardamom or ginger to the milk for a warm and personal touch.

Use this product to make your bubble coffee

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 smooth, non-bitter flavour.

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