This is my go-to easy vegan matcha latte. Made with a mixture of macadamia and soy milk and flavored with a bit of maple syrup and vanilla for a sweet and calming morning beverage.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
About a year ago I had to give up coffee.
It was with a broken heart that I made the decision after a realization that coffee was inducing stress (something I am always working hard to reduce in my life), resulting in negative health side effects. For a couple of months I would test the boundaries of my no coffee lifestyle, drinking decaf or one-shot lattes but every time I tried, my heart would start racing, my body would get the jitters, and my anxiety would peak.
Eventually, I accepted my fate and started living a life COMPLETELY without coffee.
And you wanna know what happened? I got over my addiction, my sleep improved, my stress improved, my digestion improved, my skin improved,
AND, I discovered the wonders of a matcha latte.
What is a Matcha Green Tea?
Matcha green tea originated in Japan. It is made from specially grown green tea leaves that are ground into a fine powder. The tea plants for matcha are shade-grown which allows the plant to produce tea with more caffeine than traditional green tea plants.
I started drinking matcha lattes as a way to replace my coffee addition. I had read that, unlike coffee, matcha has a calming effect. But still having plenty of caffeine, matcha helped me make the transition. Now I wake up in the morning with a boost of calm enhancing, clean energy rather than the heart pumping, jittery energy from before. Beyond the nice calming effect, I found that there were so many other benefits to a daily matcha latte.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
Not only is matcha delicious, but matcha green tea is one of the most beneficial superfoods ever. A few of its benefit's include
- super high in antioxidants
- detoxifies the body
- boosts metabolism and burns calories
- rich in fiber, vitamin C, and other important minerals
- strengthens the immune system
Now, perhaps, you're beginning to see why it is one of my favorite superfoods. And that's why I don't just drink matcha. I sneak matcha into my food every way I can. Be it oatmeal, chia pudding, or chocolates, I love my matcha powder.
So now, instead of brewing a pot of coffee every morning, I wake up to a matcha latte.
Recommended Ingredients & Equipment
Homemade Matcha Tea Lattes are super easy and wildly versatile. This is just a guideline on how to make your favorite version at home.
Ingredients & Substituions
- Matcha Green Tea - This is my favorite matcha powder. (<<affiliate link) It's bold-flavored matcha that's not powdery for a clean, crisp mouthfeel. It's important to note that the quality of matcha varies drastically and spending a little extra is 100% worth it.
- Non-Dairy Milk – My preference for milk is a combination of macadamia nut and soy milk. The macadamia flavor pairs deliciously with the matcha green tea. I add soy milk to give the latte extra body. This helps create the latte foam we all know and love.
- Maple Syrup – I use this as a sweetener. You can swap it for agave syrup, coconut sugar, monk sugar, or omit it altogether. Check out my guide to vegan sugars and alternative sugar replacements.
- Vanilla Bean Paste, Optional
Recommended Equipment
First and foremost, you will need something that can froth milk. A manual or electric milk frother, French press, or espresso machine all work.
You will also need a saucepot and a matcha starter kit. (<<affiliate links)
Check out the full list of my recommended kitchen tools and gadgets.
How to Make Matcha Tea Latte
Step One - Heat the Milk to a Scald
To get a nice frothy foam on your milk, heat it up to a scald, that’s just before boiling point. You will see the milk create a skin over the top with small bubbles appearing around the edge.
Immediately remove from heat and set aside. Do not let it boil or it will burn your milk.
Step Two - Prepare the Matcha Tea
While the milk is heating, spoon out about a tablespoon of milk to mix with the matcha powder, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste. Creating a paste prevents chunks of matcha floating around in your latte.
Pro Tip: I highly recommend using a matcha whisk when creating your paste to ensure the creamiest matcha latte possible.
Step Three - Mix and Froth the Latte
Add the scalded milk and whisk together until the paste is evenly dispersed. Then transfer the matcha/milk mixture into a milk frother, give it a few pumps, and done!
Serving and Storing
Serve your latte immediately with an oatmeal date scone or vegan blueberry muffin.
Tips and Tricks
- You can really do any milk, but I love the nuttiness of macadamia nut milk. I combine it with a bit of soy milk for some sweetness and extra froth. I have found a 3:1 ratio is my favorite.
- Recently, I've been adding a bit of ashwagandha powder(<<affiliate link) to my matcha latte for added health benefits, specifically for reducing stress. I firmly believe food is medicine and sneaking it in where you can is so important.
- Vanilla goes so well with the flavor of matcha and I highly recommend using vanilla bean paste. It's a little pricey, but a little goes a LONG way.
More Homemade Latte Recipes
Dairy-Free Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- ¾ cup macadamia nut or cashew milk
- ¼ cup soy milk
- 2 teaspoon matcha powder
- ½ - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean paste, optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat up both kinds of milk, bringing them to a scald ( just before boiling point). It should be steaming and hot to the touch.
- While milk heats, place matcha powder, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste (if using) in the bottom of the mug. Add 1 tablespoon of milk (it does not have to be hot) and whisk together using a matcha whisk until a thick, uniform paste has formed.
- Once the milk is hot, pour it into your mug and whisk again until the paste is completely and evenly dispersed into the milk.
- Transfer latte into a milk frother, and froth for 10 seconds. Return the latte to mug and enjoy!
Notes
Serving and Storing
Serving and Storing - Serve your latte immediately with an oatmeal date scone or vegan blueberry muffin. Variations- Recently, I've been adding a bit of ashwagandha powder to my matcha latte for added health benefits, specifically for reducing stress. I firmly believe food is medicine and sneaking it in where you can is so important.
- Vanilla goes so well with the flavor of matcha and I highly recommend this brand of vanilla bean paste. It's a little pricey, but a little goes a LONG way.
- If you have an automatic frother or milk steamer you can use that following manufacturer's instruction.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
Hanne says
I am on the same path as you with coffee. I sense the rising tension in my body when I finish my morning Joe. When I've given up coffee in the past I always miss the ritual of a morning brew. I do believe this creamy matcha Latte will fill the spot that coffee does for my now. Thank you!
Sarah says
The ritual is the hardest part, isn't it?! I still miss it sometimes when I'm with coffee drinkers in the morning.