Matcha Late Basics

A matcha latte is a beverage made by mixing matcha, a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, with milk or a milk substitute. Here’s a simple recipe to make one at home:

Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 2 ounces hot water (about 175°F or 80°C)
- 6 ounces milk (or milk substitute, such as almond, soy, or oat milk)
- Sweetener (optional, such as honey, sugar, or syrup)

Instructions
1. Sift the matcha powder: To avoid clumps, sift 1 teaspoon of matcha powder into a bowl or mug.
2. Add hot water: Pour 2 ounces of hot water (not boiling) over the matcha powder.
3. Whisk the matcha: Using a bamboo whisk (chasen) or a regular whisk, whisk the matcha and hot water together in a zigzag motion until it is frothy and well-mixed.
4. Heat the milk: Heat 6 ounces of milk until steaming, either on the stove or in the microwave.
5. Froth the milk: If you have a milk frother, use it to froth the milk. If not, you can whisk it vigorously to create some foam.
6. Combine: Pour the steamed milk into the matcha mixture, holding back the foam with a spoon. Once the milk is in, spoon the foam on top.
7. Sweeten to taste: Add sweetener if desired, and stir gently.

Tips
- High-quality matcha: Use a high-quality matcha for the best flavor and color.
- Temperature control: Be careful with water temperature; too hot water can make the matcha bitter.
- Whisk technique: Proper whisking helps to achieve a smooth and frothy texture.

Enjoy your matcha latte hot or iced by simply allowing the mixture to cool and pouring it over ice!