Matcha latte: how to make a smooth and frothy matcha

A matcha latte is creamy, smooth and bright green in colour. This Japanese drink is more popular than ever, and it’s easy to see why. Matcha gives you a gentle energy boost without the jittery feeling of coffee. Still, many people think a matcha latte is difficult to make or that it quickly turns 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 care.

What is a matcha latte?

A matcha latte may look like a regular latte at first glance, but instead of coffee, you use matcha: 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, as we often associate it with coffee and milk. In this case, it simply means that warm or frothed milk is added.

What makes this drink so special is its flavour: lightly grassy, creamy and slightly umami. The caffeine in matcha also works differently from coffee. It provides a calm, gradual energy without spikes or crashes. That’s why matcha lattes are popular with people looking for a more relaxed start to the day or a mindful coffee moment.

Recipe information & Ingredients

Recipe information

• 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, approx. 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. Place the matcha powder in a bowl and sift it if needed to prevent lumps. This will give you a smoother result.
2. Pour the hot water (not boiling) over the matcha. Use water of around 80 degrees, otherwise the flavour may become bitter.
3. Use a bamboo matcha whisk (chasen), a regular whisk or a milk frother to mix the powder with the water. Move in an M or W motion until the mixture becomes frothy and free of lumps.
4. Heat the milk (if serving warm) and lightly froth it. For an iced version, simply add ice cubes to cold milk.
5. Pour the milk into a glass and gently add the matcha on top. This creates nice layers. Prefer it mixed? Give it a quick stir 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 over it.

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

If you prefer a pure taste, you can skip the sweetener, but a teaspoon of honey, agave syrup or a hint of vanilla adds extra smoothness.

Fancy a spiced 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 quality matcha powder is essential. At Café du Jour, you’ll find high-quality matcha, carefully selected for its rich green colour and smooth, non-bitter taste.

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