Coconut Matcha Latte

The coconut matcha latte is a delicious and healthy drink that combines the earthy flavors of matcha green tea powder with the creamy richness of coconut milk. Sweetened to taste with your sweetener of choice, it can be enjoyed hot or cold.

This drink has gained popularity in recent years as a healthier alternative to traditional lattes, so whether you are a fan of matcha or looking for a new and exciting drink, the coconut matcha latte is worth a sip.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that originated in Japan. It is known for its vibrant green color, earthy flavor, and numerous health benefits.

Matcha is usually prepared by whisking the green tea powder with hot water. This creates a frothy tea that can be enjoyed independently or used in various drinks or desserts.

Health Benefits of Matcha

Matcha has become increasingly popular around the world in recent years due to its unique flavor, health benefits, and versatility. It contains a high concentration of antioxidants, amino acids, and other beneficial compounds, making it a popular choice for those looking to support their overall health and well-being.

I recently gave up coffee and exclusively started drinking matcha during my morning ritual. I appreciate that it's lower in caffeine and doesn't give me the jitters. Matcha also reduces anxiety and is calming because of its high L-theanine (an amino acid) content.

Matcha Grades and The Best Type To Buy

When you choose what type to buy, please ensure your matcha is ceremonial or culinary grade.

• Ceremonial Grade Matcha- Ground from first-harvest tea leaves. It is smoother in flavor but also more expensive.
• Culinary Grade Matcha- Ground from second-harvest tea leaves. It has a robust flavor and is perfect for lattes or smoothies.
• Ingredient Grade Matcha- Generally has a pronounced bitter green tea flavor, often used for supplements and beauty products.

I own both ceremonial and culinary grades of matcha. I prefer the ceremonial grade; however, the culinary grade is also delicious. Consequently, I indulge in the ceremonial grade occasionally, while I use the culinary grade more often because it's cheaper.

Certain types of matcha already have sugar added, so look for pure matcha powder. My favorite brand is Jade Leaf, but I've also heard good things about Matcha DNA and Aiya.

Coconut Milk Matcha Latte Ingredients

• Matcha- Please ensure your matcha is ceremonial or culinary grade. Ingredient-grade matcha generally has a pronounced bitter green tea flavor, often used for supplements and beauty products. Certain types of matcha already have sugar added, so look for pure matcha powder.
• Coconut Milk Beverage- Not to be confused with canned coconut milk. This is the coconut milk found in a carton with the other dairy-free milk. Some coconut milk beverages can be very watery. My favorite is Silk Coconut Unsweet because it's the creamiest I've found and doesn't have added sugar, while my daughter likes Good and Gather Unsweetened Organic Coconut, found at Target.
• Sweetener- You can use your preferred sweetener when sweetening a matcha latte. I like to use vanilla monk fruit drops to keep mine sugar-free, but you can also use stevia, honey, regular sugar, etc. Avoid using coconut sugar or any sweetener with a strong flavor that might interfere with the overall taste of the beverage.

How To Make A Coconut Matcha Latte

1. Place a fine mesh sieve on top of a 14-ounce mug. Add the matcha to the sieve, and press it through the sieve with the back of a spoon. Remove the sieve from the mug. 
2. Pour the hot water into the mug and whisk until the matcha is frothy and all clumps have disappeared. 
3. Heat the coconut milk beverage to 160 degrees, I like to use a thermometer for accuracy. This can be done using the steam wand on an espresso machine, a microwave, or a stovetop burner. Pour into the mug.  
4. Sweeten to taste and whisk well. Enjoy immediately. 

How To Make An Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte

1. Place a fine mesh sieve on top of a 16-ounce glass. Put the matcha into the sieve, and press it through the sieve with the back of a spoon. Remove the sieve from the glass. 
2. Pour the hot water into the glass and whisk until the matcha is frothy and all clumps have disappeared. 
3. Add the coconut milk beverage, sweeten to taste, and whisk until blended. 
4. Top off the remaining room in the glass with ice. Enjoy immediately. 

Essential Matcha Tools

• Small Strainer- Working the matcha through a small strainer removes lumps, ensuring it dissolves in the water.
• Whisk- A whisk ensures your matcha shot is frothy and clump-free, so when you add the coconut milk, your drink is smooth. There are two types of whisks to consider when making a coconut matcha latte:
  • Ceremonial Matcha Whisk- This is the brown bamboo whisk in the picture below, and this is the whisk I recommend. It does the best job of removing the clumps while creating froth.
  • Small Kitchen Whisk- These work okay, but if you plan on drinking matcha regularly, I recommend purchasing a ceremonial whisk.

Try mango dragon fruit lemonade, strawberry acai refresher, or London fog Latte if you like coffeehouse-style drinks.

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