Matcha latte, is it coffee or tea?

Matcha lattes have exploded in popularity in a relatively short period of time since appearing on coffee shop menus a few years ago. Its distinctive green color and distinct nutty , earthy , and even bitter flavor set it apart from traditional coffee shop drinks. Matcha has been consumed as a beverage for thousands of years and, according to some, has a host of health benefits. But how did it become a latte ?

Make a Matcha Latte

A matcha latte consists of matcha powder (made from the finely ground leaves of certain green tea plants), water, and milk. If the matcha powder is unsweetened, it is often sweetened with honey or syrup. The type of milk used will vary based on preference - and so will the amount of milk used.

First, a few spoonfuls of matcha are mixed with water to form a paste. Then, steamed milk is added, just like a regular latte, allowing the barista to put a creative spin on the drink. In essence, a high-concentration matcha "paste" is used instead of espresso, but other than that, the ingredients are the same.

Put a spoonful of matcha in a pot with water, milk or milk alternative and use the steam wand to mix it. After stirring with a whisk, there will still be some small lumps in the drink. Then steam it to get a nice and smooth surface.

How to make matcha latte at home? First, make sure you have high-quality matcha. High-quality matcha will have detailed information about the manufacturer. The shelf life is generally 6 months, and it should not be exposed to high temperatures and air. If the matcha powder is brown, it means the matcha is not fresh.

Materials

15g pure water, boiled to about 90 ° C

Matcha powder 5g

250g milk (or non-dairy alternative)

Sweetener, such as honey or maple syrup (optional)

Egg Beater

Combine matcha, boiling water, and optional sweetener in a container and stir thoroughly. Heat milk until steaming, then use a whisk to froth the milk. Pour the milk directly into a mug and enjoy. There are also some special ways to drink it, such as serving matcha latte with cold milk, ice, or topped with sweetened whipped cream to form a "Frappuccino".

It’s hard to find detailed data on how much sales matcha lattes bring to coffee shops. However, a report from Zion Market Research predicts that the global matcha market will be worth $ 4.83 billion by 2024. The same report suggests that matcha sales are expected to rise in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Popularity is expected to remain low in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America due to a lack of consumer awareness.

Matcha (and matcha lattes) have gained particularly high popularity around the world in the past few years. However, it has surged again in 2020 with the emergence of the dalgona coffee craze . On the other hand, the health benefits of tea products have also led to more and more people liking matcha lattes.

How is Matcha different from green tea?

Both matcha and traditional green tea come from the Camellia sinensis plant and are green teas. However, the green tea used for matcha is shade-grown for about a month before processing. This increases the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, giving matcha its vibrant green color. Once harvested, the leaves are stripped of their stems and veins, then ground into a fine, filamentous powder.

Matcha is also more concentrated than traditional green tea, and has a higher caffeine content. A standard cup of matcha made with four teaspoons of powder contains about 280 mg of caffeine, while a cup of green tea will contain about 35 mg—eight times less. This is why matcha powder is usually used in much lower quantities, and why matcha drinks are usually served in smaller servings.

Because matcha is rich in antioxidants, many people believe that it can prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and can even be used as a diet aid, which is also an important reason for its global growth.

Different grades of matcha

Not all matcha is created equal, and there are three typical "grades" of matcha that people refer to.

The most expensive matcha is meant to be consumed as is, without additives, and is essentially hand-made using a stone grinder. It is the most expensive grade of matcha ( $ 100-140 per 100 grams ).

Next in line is "food grade" matcha, which doesn't have the rich flavors of strong bitterness or sweetness like top grade matcha. It costs about $ 50 to $ 80 per 100 grams and contains fresher matcha leaves, giving it a cleaner flavor.

Finally, culinary matcha has a very strong bitter flavor and is often used in baking or cooking. It is the cheapest of the three grades ( $15 to $ 40 per 100 grams ). While they do vary in price, no one type of matcha is "better" than another - they just have different uses.

The taste of matcha is quite unusual for Westerners. It has a very savory flavor (also known as "umami") due to its high levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. Matcha can be made sweeter by adding milk or sugar.

Matcha can be an acquired taste, a taste that should not be forced. The palate will slowly adapt and come to like it. In fact, it is just like the first time we drink tea or alcohol, except for bitterness and spiciness, nothing else. But after drinking it for a while, there are only two words left: really delicious! Matcha latte, in fact, it has latte in its name, but there is no coffee at all. The raw material is tea, which is very different from traditional tea drinks. It appears on the menu of a coffee shop, which is also a very special existence.

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