When it comes to surviving Oregon’s notoriously dark and damp winters, mornings definitely find me protectively clinging to a steaming mug of full-bodied, locally-roasted coffee. But when warm weather rolls around, my solar-powered self craves something cooler (and less high-octane) to provide a light boost to my day. I’ve found a number of traditional and herbal iced tea recipes that often fit the bill, but when I really want to treat myself, I take the time to whip up a special treat: a chilled organic matcha tea latte.
Matcha strikes an ideal balance between the energizing properties of your java fix and the bright, springy freshness of a green or herbal tea. Its lush and enlivening scent accents its bright, grassy flavor: a balance of umami, bittersweet, and smooth creaminess, especially when combined with dairy (or an alternative milk for a vegan matcha tea latte). A cup of matcha may contain roughly the same caffeine content per serving as coffee, but I personally have experienced its energizing effects to be less intense and jolting than those of my winter cups of joe.I love the organic matcha tea powder offered here at Mountain Rose Herbs because it’s cultivated and prepared using the same practices as the powder used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies; it’s shade-grown in Kyoto prefecture, harvested while the Camellia sinensis leaves are young and tender, and then dried and slowly ground into fine powder through a special technique that helps it retain its nutrients, chlorophyll, and STUNNING green color. The result? A gorgeous, complex, power-packed beverage that makes my whole body smile—I hope it does the same for you. :)
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients
Directions
We LOVE the traditional preparation for optimal smoothness, but if you need a quick and easy matcha latte recipe to take on-the-go, there’s a simplified version as well!
Makes 1 serving.
Prepare in a half-pint jar with lid.
Ingredients
Directions
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This blog post was originally published in 2014 as a part of our weekly series: The Sunday Steep.