What Is a Matcha Latte

A matcha latte is finely ground Japanese green tea whisked into hot water and combined with steamed milk. It is vivid green, earthy, slightly sweet, and rich with a particular kind of calm energy that coffee cannot replicate. It has become one of the most popular non-coffee drinks in specialty cafes worldwide. It is genuinely good when made with care.

What Matcha Is

Matcha is not green tea in the way most people understand it. Regular green tea is brewed by steeping leaves in water and discarding them. Matcha is the leaf itself, ground to a fine powder. You consume the entire leaf. The tea plants used for matcha are shade-grown for several weeks before harvest, which forces the plants to produce more chlorophyll and amino acids, giving matcha its signature sweetness and depth.

The Energy Is Different

Matcha contains roughly 70 milligrams of caffeine per serving. But the L-theanine in matcha modulates the caffeine's effect. Where coffee delivers a sharp spike, matcha delivers a sustained, level energy that rises slowly and fades gradually. People describe it as focused calm. This is why matcha has found its audience among people who love caffeine but dislike what coffee does to their nervous system. A good matcha latte is as much a craft as a good flat white. The quality of the matcha matters enormously. Cheap matcha is bitter and muddy. Good ceremonial matcha is vibrant green and naturally sweet. Find a cafe near you that takes their matcha as seriously as their espresso.

Keep reading: What Is a London Fog, What Is a Dirty Chai, Specialty vs. Chain Coffee.