What is Matcha?
Matcha means “powered tea.” Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are brewed with hot water and then discarded, you’re drinking the actual leaves when you enjoy a cup of matcha. The tea plants are grown in a special way for producing matcha, giving the leaves a deeper flavor when compared to traditional green tea.
Does a Matcha Latte Contain more Caffeine than Coffee?
Matcha can have up to three times the caffeine of regular green tea, giving it a similar amount of caffeine to a regular cup of coffee. However, matcha also contains a substance called l-theanine which promotes relaxation (without drowsiness!), so the “buzz” from the caffeine in matcha may keep you more calm, while also being alert.
better blood sugar regulation protection against heart disease anti-aging boosting metabolism possibly slowing or preventing the growth of cancer cells
These benefits don’t necessarily outweigh the calories and refined sugar added to a fancy coffeehouse latte, so I’m thrilled to have this healthy matcha recipe that is dairy-free, naturally-sweetened, and just as delicious.
What Kind of Matcha Powder to Use?
When shopping for matcha, make sure the only ingredient on the label is matcha powder. Some brands sell matcha “mixes” where the first ingredient is sugar or powdered milk, so it’s more like a hot chocolate mix than a health beverage.
Does Adding Milk to Matcha decrease the health benefits?
The reason I make this Matcha Latte dairy-free is because research has shown that milk can decrease the health benefits found in green tea. The milk protein casein may bind with the antioxidants in the tea, preventing their free radical protection. (source)
How to Make a Matcha Latte at Home
Making a matcha latte is almost faster than brewing a cup of coffee. Inspired by my Instant Vegan Latte, all you have to do is add the matcha powder, a date, and a spoonful of nut butter to your blender with hot or cold water. Blend it for a few seconds and it’s ready to serve!
I like this beverage using homemade almond butter or cashew butter for creaminess, without the need for a specialty vegan milk. However, if you’d prefer to use homemade almond milk or oat milk, feel free to use that instead of the water in this recipe. (You can omit the nut butter in that case!) Recipe Notes:
For a sugar-free drink, feel free to leave out the dates. It’s still creamy just using the small amount of nut butter. If you’d like to use a different natural sweetener, feel free to use honey or maple syrup to taste. For a nut-free latte, use homemade oat milk instead of water and omit the almond butter.
– Reader Feedback: Do you have a favorite matcha recipe? I like adding it to my Matcha Mint Cookies.
