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!