Best Milk For Matcha Latte
A popular type of green tea that has been consumed in Japan for centuries, matcha has crossed the Pacific Ocean with the matcha madness reaching the USA in full form!
You’ve got matcha boba tea, matcha ice cream, matcha chocolate, matcha cookies, matcha pocky, and of course, the matcha latte.
Matcha latte is a smooth and creamy beverage that is served both hot and iced, and consists of matcha powder combined with water and your choice of milk.
With so many milk options to choose from, you can try and experiment with the different varieties of plant and nut-based milk to find the perfect match for your matcha!
So, what is the best milk for a matcha latte? Almond, coconut, and oat milk are some of the best non-dairy milk options for matcha lattes. They create a sweet, creamy, and nutty flavor, coupled with a rich aroma.
Dairy milk is not a great option since it is too rich, does not complement the flavor of matcha, and may alter the way your body absorbs the nutrients from the matcha.
Read on to find out more about the three best milk choices for matcha latte, how they change the taste of the beverage, and much more.
3 Best Milk Choices For Matcha Latte
Traditionally, matcha is prepared with only water and matcha powder.
However, to make a matcha latte, you may add your choice of plant or nut-based milk to the powdered mixture to prepare a smooth and creamy energizing drink that is a great alternative to coffee.
When choosing your favorite milk for matcha latte, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to retain the flavor and smooth aroma of matcha.
Make sure the milk:
- Does not have a very strong and specific taste or smell, or you may risk overpowering the delicate taste and aroma of matcha. For this reason, dairy milk is not an ideal option for matcha lattes since it has a strong aroma and high fat content.
- Is not too thick or creamy, or you may lose the matcha flavor. Sheep milk, goat milk, and buckwheat milk are all bad choices for matcha due to this reason.
- Whips easily so that you can prepare a frothy matcha latte. Although dairy milk froths up nicely, it must be avoided since it can alter the taste of the drink.
- Does not taste bitter since it may alter and overpower the taste and aroma of the matcha. Stay away from bitter milk such as rice and sesame milk for matcha lattes.
That being said, it is safe to say that dairy milk is a huge no when it comes to matcha lattes.
However, you have several non-dairy milk choices that do not alter the flavor and aroma of the drink, add to the taste, and give it a nice, sweet, and nutty flavor.
The 3 best milk choices for matcha latte are:
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Oat milk
1. Almond Milk
Almond milk has a velvety texture and a sweet, creamy flavor, making it one of the best choices for matcha lattes.
It has a delicate and, most importantly, unobtrusive taste that goes well with matcha and lets its flavor and aroma shine. When added to matcha lattes, almond milk makes the beverage softer and much sweeter.
High in proteins, lipids, fiber, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, almond milk is a great plant-based milk option for matcha latte that assists in improving vision, losing weight, and strengthening bones and hearts, among other benefits.
It is a good starting point for individuals who are new to the matcha scene, with a texture and flavor quite similar to traditional milk but with much fewer calories.
Also, if you are not used to the strong umami flavor that matcha has, you will find almond milk to be the best match with the perfect amount of froth, flavor, and texture.
We suggest you try your almond milk matcha latte with a dash of vanilla syrup to make it even more delicious.
2. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk, with its creamy texture and sweet flavor, is another great choice for a matcha latte. It makes it dense and smooth and adds both creaminess and sweetness to the drink to make it more delicious and pleasant to drink.
Used in baking, smoothies, and several other beverages, coconut milk is a popular favorite among tea drinkers and one of the most flavorful non-dairy milk options.
Compared to dairy milk that cancels out the taste of matcha, coconut milk has a delicate sweetness that not only helps people who find the umami flavor of matcha a bit challenging but also allows you to skip additional sweeteners to your drink.
3. Oat Milk
Oat milk is a delicious plant-based milk that is becoming more and more popular. You can find it almost everywhere now with many coffee shops using it as a dairy alternative.
With a creamy texture that doesn’t overpower the matcha flavor or make it taste too heavy, oat milk gives matcha lattes an additional sweetness and creaminess, while improving its overall flavor.
More nutrient-rich than almond and coconut milk, oat milk is a low-calorie milk alternative that helps reduce weight, sugar, and cholesterol levels, and normalizes metabolism.
Although a bit pricey, oat milk is a treat to be added to your matcha lattes!
Tips For Making The Best Matcha Latte
Even though you can find cafes serving matcha lattes on every corner of the country, sometimes you just want to make it at home.
For times like those, here are a few very important tips to make the best matcha latte in the comfort of your home:
- Use good-quality, ceremonial grade matcha.
- Use tasty non-dairy milk that froths well, such as almond, coconut, or oat milk, especially for hot lattes.
- Strain and store your matcha powder properly to avoid clumping.
- Be mindful of the matcha and milk ratio. For most people, around 1-1.5 tsp of matcha pairs well with a quarter cup of hot water and 1 cup milk.
- Do not use boiling water to mix the matcha powder or you will risk burning it.
Final Thoughts
Matcha pairs wonderfully with several plant and nut-based milk options such as almond, coconut, and oat milk to make the most delicious matcha lattes.
Since matcha is a bit of an acquired taste, like coffee , any of the above-mentioned milk options are great if you are trying out matcha lattes for the first time.
Once you have figured out your preferences, it’ll be much easier to settle for one (or more than one) that suits you the most taste-wise as well as in terms of nutrients and health benefits.
In addition to the options listed above, you may also try other non-dairy milk options such as soy milk, cashew milk, and hemp milk.
Related Questions
Now that we have discussed all the best milk choices for matcha lattes and how they affect the taste of the drink, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have:
Are matcha lattes healthy?
Matcha lattes are smooth, creamy, slightly sweet drinks that are full of flavor and nutrients. They help provide an energy boost and are the perfect replacement for your usual cup of coffee.
Full of antioxidants that promote good health, matcha lattes are packed with stress-reducing and performance-enhancing amino acids that create a calm yet alert state of mind.
When made using dairy milk, the milk can alter the way the matcha latte tastes and how your body absorbs the matcha’s nutrients.
However, when using plant or nut-based milk alternatives, they make the beverage more flavorful and do not interfere with the nutrient absorption process.
What is the healthiest non-dairy milk?
With so many wonderful non-dairy milk options out there, it can be confusing to choose the best one. When it comes to the healthiest option, it comes down to several factors, with your preference being the top one.
Oat milk is low in fats and rich in healthy carbs, with an impressive amount of Vitamin A and potassium. It also contains some fiber, which is something you might not find in the other options.
Coconut milk is fortified with vitamin B12 and has a higher fat content, making it super creamy. However, since most of the fats are saturated in nature, you must use it in moderation.
Almond milk has a moderate amount of fat, a low protein content, and the highest amount of vitamin E compared to the other varieties.
What can you sweeten matcha latte with?
To make your matcha latte taste sweeter, you may use a variety of sweeteners such as white, brown, or coconut sugar, simple sugar syrup, maple syrup, honey, agave, or sugar substitutes such as stevia.
Up Next: The Best Ways To Consume Matcha
