Oat Milk Matcha Latte
A homemade oat milk matcha latte recipe, whisked properly to avoid clumping, with oat milk's creaminess softening matcha's edge.
Matcha's grassy, slightly bitter flavor pairs well with oat milk's creaminess, which softens matcha's edge without masking it the way a heavier dairy milk sometimes can.
Oat Milk Matcha Latte
Prep time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 tsp matcha powder (culinary or ceremonial grade)
- 2 tbsp hot water (not boiling)
- 1 cup oat milk, preferably barista-style
- 1 to 2 tsp honey or maple syrup, to taste
Instructions
- Sift the matcha powder into a bowl or mug to break up any clumps.
- Add the hot water (ideally around 175°F/80°C, well short of a full boil, which can make matcha taste bitter) and whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion until smooth and slightly frothy - a bamboo whisk works best, though a small regular whisk or milk frother works too.
- Warm the oat milk in a separate saucepan or in the microwave until steaming, then froth if desired.
- Pour the warmed oat milk over the whisked matcha, stirring gently to combine. Sweeten to taste.
Notes
Whisking the matcha with a small amount of water first, before adding the milk, prevents the clumping that can happen if matcha powder is added directly to a larger volume of liquid.
Why Water Temperature Matters for Matcha
Matcha whisked with water that's too hot, particularly at a full boil, tends to taste more bitter and less vibrant than matcha prepared with water in the 160°F to 180°F range. This matters more with matcha than with most other tea, since the whole leaf is consumed rather than steeped and discarded.
Choosing a Matcha Grade
Ceremonial-grade matcha has a more delicate, less bitter flavor and is traditionally meant to be prepared plain, without milk or sweetener. Culinary-grade matcha has a bolder, slightly more bitter flavor that holds up better against milk and sweetener, making it the more practical (and usually more affordable) choice specifically for a latte like this one.
Variations
- Iced version: Whisk the matcha with water as directed, then pour over ice and top with cold oat milk.
- Vanilla version: Add a splash of vanilla extract or use vanilla oat milk for a rounder, sweeter flavor.
For more oat milk drink recipes, see the complete oat milk guide.
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