Iced Matcha Latte, iced Japanese green tea drink

Background

Matcha (抹茶), which literally translates from Japanese as "ground tea", is a Sencha green tea that has been ground down between two millstones into an extremely fine powder with an intense green colour. With the renowned "fifth flavour", umami, which creates a gorgeously smooth and well-rounded taste, this is the tea used for traditional tea ceremonies (Chanoyu – 茶の湯) in Japan.

You can spot a high-quality Macha by its bright, vibrant green colour. Thanks to its eye-catching colour, it's also used as a natural colouring or flavouring in traditional sweet treats, such as mochi.

Whether it's served hot, cold, or even as a latte, Matcha is also popular for its energising qualities and its rich antioxidant content.

Practical info

Difficulty:

Very easy

Preparation time:

5 minutes

Quantity:

1 serving

Ingredients

• 1 tsp matcha powder (2 to 3 g – adjust to preferred intensity)
• 50 ml warm water
• 150 ml milk
• 4 ice cubes

Method

Put your Matcha powder into a tea bowl (chawan) or any similar small container.
Slowly pour in the warm water (it should not be any hotter than 70–80°C).

Using a traditional bamboo matcha whisk (chasen) or a spoon, create an emulsion with the Matcha by stirring it into the water.
For optimal results, use an up-and-down movement for 1 to 2 minutes, until the Matcha is perfectly incorporated into the liquid. It should go foamy and smooth (no lumps).

Add your ice cubes into a tall glass (use a clear glass if you want to get the full effect of the Matcha's beautiful colours) and pour in the milk.
You can use either cow's milk or your preferred plant-based milk. We recommend hazelnut milk or rice milk, which go with Matcha very well.

Next, add in your Matcha mix and quickly stir with a spoon.

Voilà, it's ready to enjoy!

Top tip:

In Japan, Matcha tea is enjoyed without any sugar or sweeteners. However, if you've got a sweet tooth or fancy something a little more indulgent, we recommend adding in a dash of agave syrup, honey or vanilla sugar.

Our serving recommendations

Traditionally, given its slightly bitter taste, Matcha is served alongside a little sweet treat, which is left to melt on the tongue before drinking or a bite is taken before each mouthful.

So, our Maison recommends that you serve your drink with a biscuit (or a few) from our Bredele Assortment! If you want any inspo, we'd suggest: A Lemon or Orange Liabsti to enhance the power of the Matcha, or an Almond Truffle for a subtle, sweet contrast…