With all this talk about matcha lattes, you may be wondering, what does a matcha latte taste like? This is what we’re going to be answering in this article.
We’ll take you through the different flavors you might experience when you drink a matcha latte, and how those flavors might change based on the ingredients you use.
Let’s get started! 🍵
What Does a Matcha Latte Taste Like
So let’s get down to basics and discuss what does a matcha latte taste like when you make it using milk and sugar. We’ll go through the different ingredients, and what each one adds to the flavor of a matcha latte.
What Does Matcha Taste Like?
The most important component when discussing what does a matcha latte taste like is the matcha itself. Matcha has a very complex flavor profile, but it is typically associated with these steamed vegetable or slightly grassy notes.
If the matcha is very high quality, it will have a natural sweet and smooth flavor to it, allowing you to drink it plain without experiencing much bitterness. The matcha used for lattes tends to be a lower quality, so it will have a bit more astringency.
If you want to learn more about the taste of matcha, we made a full guide here 👉 What does matcha taste like? Taste Chart with Video
What Does Latte Matcha Taste Like?
The matcha used for lattes like the latte grade matcha comes from later harvests, so it tends to have more of this citrusy acidity to it, and a bit more of a dryness in the finish.
The stronger flavors might make it too intense to drink plain, but they can actually be an asset when it comes to the matcha latte. The stronger flavors allow you to taste the matcha flavor through the milk. So what does a matcha latte taste like? That depends on which matcha you use!
There's a big difference between the different grades of matcha, and if you want to become an expert you can read this 👉 A guide to Matcha Grades that actually makes sense
The Milk in the Matcha Latte
If the more vegetal flavors of matcha have you a bit hesitant, have no fear, milk is here to the rescue! While the question of what does a matcha latte taste like can vary depending on what type of milk you use, all milks add a smoother texture and taste to the matcha.
This can be a great compliment to the earthier and grassier flavors of the matcha, meaning that you don’t have to be a true tea lover in order to enjoy the taste of a matcha latte.
If you want to learn how to make a professional level matcha lattes, we suggest you follow this guide 👉 The Ultimate Matcha Latte Recipe
The Sugar in the Matcha Latte
Of course the additional sugar will add some sweetness to the matcha, and further smooth out any of the bitterness. If you’ve been following our green tea flavor pairings, you’ll know that matcha is best paired with things that are neutral and sweet. The sweetness comes from the sugar, and the neutrality comes from the milk.
If you want the perfect food pairing for matcha tea, we recommend you prepare this recipe 👉 The Sweet and Chewy Delight of Green Tea Mochi
So what does a matcha latte taste like depends on how much sugar you add to it. If you add a lot of sweetener, the drink can almost taste like a green tea ice cream. If you add only a tiny bit of sugar, you tend to get more of a natural matcha flavor.
Because sweetening green tea can be difficult, we made a whole guide to show you how to do it 👉 How to Sweeten Green Tea
What Does a Matcha Latte Taste Like When You Make it Improperly
So we’ve covered what does a matcha latte taste like when it is made the proper way. It should be a perfect balance between the strong vegetal flavors of the matcha, the rich creaminess of the milk and the sweetness of the sugar.
But what if the matcha latte is made improperly? Let’s cover a few beginner mistakes, and how they can impact what does a matcha latte taste like.
Watered Down
So what does a matcha latte taste like when you make it with too much water? The flavor becomes very diluted, and you can’t really get a sense of the matcha. This is a common mistake when making matcha lattes, and we’ll show you how to avoid it.
First, instead of making a bowl of matcha and adding milk to it, start off with a matcha paste using 1 teaspoon of powder and 2 tablespoons of water. This will concentrate the flavor and make it less watered down.
Also, if you are making an iced matcha latte, you can use matcha ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes. When these ice cubes melt, they will add more matcha flavor to the drink, instead of just more water.
Unsifted
Another common mistake when making a matcha latte is to not sift the powder. This will create clumps in your matcha, and the taste won’t be as consistent.
Instead of getting this smooth balance of flavor, some sips will be overpowering, and other sips will have barely any flavor. You want to make sure the matcha is well sifted, so the powder can be evenly combined into the milk.
What Does a Matcha Latte Taste Like with Each Milk?
One big factor that can determine what does a matcha latte taste like is the type of milk that you use. Let’s go through a few of the most popular ones, and what each tastes like.
Soy Milk
Soy milk usually tends to be the sweetest of the plant milks, and this can really pick up the flavor of your matcha latte. If you are sensitive to sweet things, you may want to choose a different milk.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk can be the creamiest of the plant milks, but it also tends to have a tiny bit of bitterness in the finish. This can have its advantages and disadvantages when used in a latte.
Rice Milk
Rice milk tends to be the “thinnest” of the plant milks. If you are using this in your matcha latte, you may want to use a smoother matcha powder or more sweetener, because it may not be enough to neutralize the bitterness.
Almond Milk
After rice milk, almond milk tends is probably the thinnest milk, but it is often made with a heavier amount of sweetener. This makes it well-suited for matcha lattes, but you will still want to be careful because some can come with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Oatmilk
Oatmilk is perhaps the best milk for matcha lattes. It has a medium thick consistency, its slightly sweeter and it has a smooth finish. Oatmilk can also be frothed, which gives it an advantage when it comes to hot matcha lattes.
What Does a Matcha Latte Taste Like - Final Verdict
So, to finish things up, what does a matcha latte taste like? This depends on how you make it, and what ingredients you use. If you add lavender syrup and make a lavender matcha latte for example, it will have a sweet floral flavor to it.
If you use ceremonial matcha, it will be smoother, but latte grade matcha can make it more flavorful. If you forget to sift the matcha, it can become clumpy and inconsistent, and if you use too much water you dilute the flavor.
Finally, a lot of the matcha latte flavor will come from the type of milk you use, so make sure that you choose wisely!
I hope you have found this guide helpful and I wish you all the best in your future matcha lattes!
