Make It at Home: Iced Amai Matcha Latte

With Matcha shops sprouting up from LA to New York, Japan’s ancient powdered green tea is having its moment of fame in North America. Having ten times the antioxidants and amino acids found in a cup of steeped green tea and the added benefits of chlorophyll and fiber, Matcha, a Japanese powdered green tea, is what is keeping us younger, slimmer and smarter right now. Its versatility has cleared its pathway into bakeries, kitchens and bars across the country, but its smooth and satisfying, rich umami taste is what gives it staying power.

History of Matcha 

Powdered tea has fallen in and out of popularity throughout the ages. First introduced during the Song Dynasty in China, it fell out of fashion then but resurfaced in Japan during the 11th century by way of traveling Japanese Zen Buddhist monks. By the 15th century, Sado, the Way of Tea, or the Japanese Tea Ceremony, ritualized the use of matcha. Sado was based on principles of peace, balance, purity and respect, and Matcha was and is known to induce a more relaxed, focused and meditative state*. 

*The amino acid, L Theanine, naturally occurring in green tea and found in concentrated amounts in matcha, increases alpha wave frequency in the brain, thus creating a relaxed state.

How Green Tea Powder is Made

Matcha is super concentrated in both the garden and the factory. Tea plants that are cultivated for matcha are grown under shade cloths that keep them from photosynthesizing. The result is an almost iridescent, blue-green leaf that is rich in chlorophyll, amino acids and the antioxidant that tea is so famous for - polyphenols. The fibrous stems and veins are removed in processing and then the leaf is finely milled, traditionally between two granite slabs.  This process is what makes matcha green tea powder have a rich depth of healthful benefits. During a normal steeping process, hot water can only extract so much from a leaf. With matcha powder, however, the entire leaf is dissolved into water. The result is its rich umami taste and a burst of benefit for the body, mind and soul.

Our favorite time of year to enjoy a sweetened matcha latte is all year long. Versatile, Amai Matcha can be heated in a cup of your favorite warm milk during the winter months, or you can add ice to your latte as a way to cool down in the heat of summer. Amai means ‘sweet’ in Japanese. Our amai matcha is sweetened with organic cane sugar and makes a decadent latte that you can drink with milk, or blend with mashed strawberries for a vibrant and tangy spin. 

In this video, we demonstrate how to make an iced Amai Matcha Latte at home. Below are the recipe cards for both a hot and an iced version.

Amai Matcha Latte Recipes

Matcha Latte:

1. Mix sweet matcha powder with 1 oz. of hot water in a serving cup.
2. Whisk with a small bamboo whisk until all of the powder is dissolved (10 – 20 sec)
3. Steam 8oz of milk
4. Pour steamed milk into the cup with matcha and serve

Iced Matcha Latte:

1. Mix sweet matcha powder with 1 oz. of hot water in a serving cup
2. Whisk with a small bamboo whisk until all of the powder is dissolved (10 – 20 sec)
3. While stirring, pour 8oz of cold milk into the cup with matcha
4. Add ice

For more of our cool, crisp, and colorful iced tea ideas, download our free Iced Tea Recipe Guide!

Or if you love the taste of matcha, perhaps our Matcha Recipe Guide is more your style. Learn ways to enjoy matcha beyond the latte: in everything from ice cream to tiramisu, white chocolate bark...even a matcha margarita!