How To Make The Perfect Matcha Latte And Why It's So Good For You

Matcha is a superstar food in my house these days. I love its superpowers and uplifting, calming effect, and I adore the slightly bitter deliciousness that I’m told is so good for me. Loaded with vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium, matcha green tea also helps fight viruses and bacteria. That also means it’s a great choice for your winter health.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is stoneground green tea leaves, and because you actually consume the powder, or ground tea, you’re getting the benefits of more than 10 cups of green tea. It’s loaded with antioxidants, aids in weight loss, reduces inflammation, and improves digestion. And it’s an alternative to your morning coffee, without the jitters. Matcha contains a specific organic compound called EGCG, which is believed to be beneficial for its cancer-fighting properties and has up to 100 times more EGCG than other teas on the market. I’m looking forward to creating matcha ice cream once the sun comes back out. For now, I’m sharing a warm latte recipe that’s just the thing for chilly mornings. No fancy espresso machine needed, just a whisk and pan. Try adding matcha green tea and all its benefits to your morning chia, too. Here’s my recipe for Chocolate Chia Pudding: just replace the raw cocao with matcha and you’re all set. Matcha can be the slightest bit bitter, so add a dash of stevia or honey to begin but try not to add too much. It’s an acquired taste and you’ll begin to savor the bitterness, just like coffee.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons matcha powder 1 tablespoon hot water 3/4 cup almond milk 1/2 teaspoon stevia or 1 teaspoon raw organic honey

Instructions:

1. Add hot water to matcha powder and whisk until all powder is dissolved. If you’re familiar with the tea you will understand how important this step is–make sure you don’t skimp on the whisking! If you have a frothier that will work as well. 2. In a small saucepan, warm the almond milk and sweetener together. This is how you will get the real latte effect. Heat milk just until bubbles begin to form around the edge of the saucepan. 3. If you have a frother, give the milk a good froth. If not, slowly add the milk to your tea. 4. Sprinkle the top with extra matcha powder. 5. Sip & enjoy!

Image via The Happy Matcha Tea Company

READ MORE

Love tea? Read our debate on merits of coffee vs. tea. Plus: a few more reasons matcha should be part of your anti-aging regimen.

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