I Love You So Matcha!

While matcha and green tea come from the same family matcha is grown differently, a process that increases the amino acid content as well as providing the rich green color with an abundance of chlorophyll. Once harvested the the entire leaf is ground into a fine powder resulting in a higher nutrient content for matcha than just green tea. It has a smooth earthy flavor and an abundance of health benefits when consumed. Matcha can be prepared as a hot or cold beverage and can be added to baked goods or smoothies offering a boost in energy.

I’ve never been a coffee drinker so I was excited to try matcha and really enjoy it. Matcha provides a rich source of antioxidants, helps to increase brain function and boosts your mood. With a host of health benefits and vegan options readily available it’s a quick and luxurious pick me up at any point of your day and a treat to make and enjoy at home. Below is my current recipe for a matcha latte you can prepare at home and items you’ll need.

Matcha Grade & Tools
Having the right tools to prepare matcha is just as important as using high quality and organic matcha powder and ingredients. Matcha can get pretty expensive, depending on the type of matcha you’d like to prepare dictates how much you need to spend. If you’re looking to consume matcha as a tea always look to purchase a ceremonial matcha, this is the highest quality of matcha that provides increased potency and distinguished taste. Ceremonial matcha can also be used to create matcha lattes if you really want the matcha flavor to shine however, the price point for ceremonial matcha is much higher but also more pungent so you may get away with using less for lattes. Culinary matcha is something that could be used for preparation of baked goods or smoothies. You can also purchase higher grade culinary matcha that can be used for lattes as well. I never recommend purchasing the cheapest matcha, I tend to purchase mid grade or higher for the best taste and quality depending on what I’m preparing.

Matcha Tools
🌱Bamboo matcha whisk & stand
🌱Measuring spoon or ladle
🌱Small Bowl

Tools for preparing matcha are definitely worth the investment if you’re going to be making any kind of matcha beverage. A whisk, small bowl and measuring spoon are all you need. These items come in kits and can be found online and aren’t too expensive. Whether you’re serving a matcha latte or just matcha tea the matcha needs to be whisked and aerated to create a froth to the beverage. If you’re going to dabble in the art of matcha it’s definitely worth an invest in the tools for preparation.

Ingredients for good matcha
🌱A mug of your favorite plant based milk (I prefer unsweetened coconut milk)
🌱1 tsp matcha powder
🌱2oz of boiling water
🌱 Sweetener of your choice (maple syrup or 1/4 of a date) Optional
🌱Vegan creamer Optional
*Always use organic ingredients whenever you can

Choose your favorite brand of matcha and plant based milk. I prefer to use coconut milk however if you’re looking for a good froth oat or soy milk work well. I love adding a vegan creamer to my matcha, this helps create a more milky flavor and frothy texture when preparing the milk. This particular creamer is a vegan collagen supplement so not only is it adding additional flavor, but health and skin benefits as well. Add the recommended amount. Vegan collagens are harder to come by so when you find one you enjoy I think it’s worth the splurge for a little indulgence of health. Sweetener is optional. Most cafes will use sweetened milk when preparing lattes which provides more than enough sweetness for me. At home we used unsweetened and non-flavored plant based milks so I enjoy adding a bit of natural sweetener from time to time as a sweet treat. You can use maple syrup or agave, but here I’ve used a date which I love as a natural sweetener. I only use a sliver of the date, no more than 1/4 and mix in the blender with my vegan collagen supplement and warmed milk.

Preparation
Start by bringing 2oz of water to boil. Measure 1tsp of matcha powder and add to your small bowl, for richer flavor add more matcha. While the water is heating you can begin to warm your milk. If you have a milk frother this is perfect to use here, I’m still just heating mine over the stove. Once the milk is heated I add my vegan creamer and date to the blender and mix. If you’re not using a date for sweetener this process can be skipped, however I found that quickly blending my milk, creamer and date create a really smooth and frothy milk. Once the water has boiled add the the matcha powder and whisk vigorously. The whisk should be stirred in the shape of a zigzag or “W” shape in the bowl. You’ll notice a small froth forming at the top of the matcha, this is exactly what your looking for. Once the matcha is whisked to a nice consistency pour the matcha mixture in the base of your mug. Pour the warm milk on top. The colors of the milk and matcha mixture blend beautifully to create a soft green shade for a deliciously earthy beverage that should be sipped slow and enjoyed.