Easy Iced Matcha Latte

This iced matcha latte is ready in minutes and is the perfect summery drink! I love sitting down with refreshing cup of iced matcha and a good book.

what is matcha?

Matcha is a powdered green tea produced in Japan. The vibrant colour is a result of briefly steaming the leaves before they are dried, similar to how broccoli goes bright green when you boil it!

During the process of making matcha, the dried green tea leaves are grinded into a fine powder. The process is actually really fascinating - if you're a bit of a food geek like me, you'll love this mini documentary on making matcha from Matcha Konomi on YouTube. If you've ever wondered why matcha is so expensive, it's definitely worth a watch!

Despite being consumed in Japan for centuries, matcha is becoming a lot more popular in the Western world these days and is available in many cafes. But here are three reasons why you should make this iced matcha latte at home instead:

This homemade iced matcha latte contains less sugar than cafes as it is naturally sweetened with maple syrup!
It's cheaper in the long run to purchase some high-quality matcha powder and make your own lattes at home.
This homemade version can be in your cup in less than 5 minutes!

How to make an iced matcha latte in 4 easy steps

Add the matcha powder to the matcha bowl or chawan and whisk it with our matcha whisk or chasen to remove any lumps (photo 1).

Then add a few tablespoons of hot water and whisking with the matcha whisk until velvety smooth (photo 2). Then simply pour the matcha into glasses piled high with ice and plant-based milk (photo 3).

Notes on this recipe

Before adding water to the matcha, I like to briefly whisk the matcha to reduce the number of lumps.
Use hot, not boiling water when preparing the matcha. If the water is too hot, this can make your matcha taste bitter. The optimum temperature for matcha is 80 °C/ 176 °F.
Feel free to add your favourite sugar-free beverage syrups such as vanilla or hazelnut! They are best added after preparing the matcha but before pouring into the milk.
Use a creamy dairy-free milk such as oat milk or almond milk in this recipe. You could also try making your iced matcha with light coconut milk!

FAQ

Do I have to buy a matcha whisk?

Whilst the chasen is used in traditional matcha preparation, it is not essential to purchase one. You may instead use a small whisk or an handheld milk frother

Does matcha contain caffeine?

Yes, matcha contains caffeine - about half that of a cup of coffee. However, the caffeine boost from drinking matcha is slow and steady compared to the rapid energy surge experienced when drinking coffee.

Which matcha is best for making iced matcha lattes?

There are two types of matcha - culinary grade matcha and ceremonial matcha. Ceremonial matcha is the highest grade of matcha which is used in traditional tea ceremonies. It is best consumed plain, so culinary grade matcha is a better option for use in smoothies, energy balls, and of course iced lattes like this one!

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you make it, please leave a rating + review below and share your photos on Instagram tagging #shivanilovesfood!