This green milk tea, or matcha milk tea, is the perfect balance of Zen and indulgence. Matcha powder is whisked into a smooth paste and then combined with a sweet cream base for a refreshing sip. Enjoy slow sips and savor the sweet, earthy flavor.
Just like my butterfly peas latte, this drink is quick and easy to make. Pair it with my favorite pumpkin pecan waffles for a nice brunch.
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What is Matcha?
Matcha is a tea with a unique taste that is popular in Japan and other countries in East Asia. The powder is made from green tea leaves and has a slightly sweet, grassy, and nutty flavor that many people enjoy. You can find it in both powder and tea bag form. I buy matcha powder on Amazon. (affiliate link)
If you love green tea, you’ve got to try my green tea desserts. This soft serve matcha ice cream is the best one yet. My matcha donut is made in under 20 minutes and is great for tea time.
Reasons to Love This Matcha Milk Tea
Vibrant Flavor: What's not to love about the rich, earthy, and uniquely satisfying hue of this green tea?! Aside from its health benefits, culinary-grade matcha powder gives a rich, earthy, and uniquely satisfying.
Soothing Energy: Although green tea contains caffeine, it generally provides a milder and more constant form of alertness than the sharp spikes and crashes often associated with coffee. It’s like yoga for your taste buds!
Versatility: The best part about matcha milk tea is its versatility. You can enjoy it Hot, iced, or blended. It's always a treat.
Endless Variations: Easily customize your cup of tea with sweeteners and milk alternatives.
Ingredient List
Here are the main ingredients you need to make this milk tea recipe:
- Green Tea: opt for high-quality green tea, preferably Matcha green tea powder. Matcha offers a vibrant color and robust flavor.
- Milk Choice: You can use various types of milk, such as whole milk, skim milk, soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk, depending on your preference. Each will impart a slightly different flavor and creaminess to your tea.
- Sweetener: Customize the sweetness to your liking. Common sweeteners include sugar, honey, agave syrup, or even condensed milk for a richer taste. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- Boba Pearls: Although optional, boba pearls are a must-have in milk tea! They offer a chewy texture that contrasts with the drink's smoothness and adds sweetness. The pearls absorb the tea's flavor as you sip, making them even more delicious.
Please refer to the recipe card for the exact measurements.
Variations
- Matcha Latte: Add a shot of espresso to your drink for an extra kick of caffeine.
- Sweetener: Replace the sweetener with honey for a natural and slightly floral flavor.
- Milk: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk for a creamy and tropical twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Sift the matcha: Place your matcha powder in a fine-mesh sieve or a small sifter over a small bowl. Sift the powder until no it's smooth. This ensures a smooth, lump-free texture.
Step 2: Create a paste: Pour a tablespoon of hot water into the matcha powder and whisk vigorously in a zig-zag motion to create a paste. Add the remaining hot water and whisk until the matcha is fully dissolved and frothy. Cool the matcha to room temperature, or speed up by refrigerating briefly.
Step 3: Sweeten to taste: Add your preferred sweetener, such as condensed milk, sugar, honey, or syrup, into a tall serving glass.
Step 4: Add boba pearls: Add as many cooked tapioca pearls into the glass as you like with plenty of ice cubes.
Step 5: Add milk: Pour in the milk of your choice, leaving a bit of room at the top for more liquid or ice.
Step 6: Add green tea: Add the cooled matcha liquid from earlier in a slow, steady stream. Stir the iced matcha tea milk thoroughly to combine all the ingredients and cool it down further.
Garnish (optional): You can garnish your iced matcha tea milk with frothed cream/milk, topped with a sprinkle of matcha powder. Serve with a boba straw. Enjoy immediately.
(I use a frothed heavy cream with coconut milk for mine; It’s the best flavor combo.)
Pro Tips
- Allow the matcha tea to cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- To create a smooth matcha paste and achieve frothiness, whisk the tea vigorously in a zig-zag motion. Traditional bamboo whisks are ideal, but small kitchen whisks can also work.
- Mixing the matcha or brewing loose-leaf green tea, use about 175°F (80°C). Avoid boiling water, as it can alter the taste and make the tea bitter.
- Achieving the right balance between green tea and milk is essential. Experiment with ratios to find the creaminess and green tea flavor that suits your taste.
- I used cooked tapioca pearls boba for this recipe. To make yours from scratch, try this recipe. You can also get an instant boba pearl from amazon or your local Thai café shop.
RECIPE FAQS
ou can purchase green tea powder or matcha from local specialty stores, online retailers like Amazon, Asian supermarkets, or official websites of tea brands. When purchasing, look for reputable sellers and check reviews to ensure the quality of the matcha powder. Ensure it's labeled as a ceremonial or culinary grade for the best taste.
matcha tea tastes rich, savory, and full of umami. It also has subtle grassy notes, a hint of bitterness, and a creamy texture.
Green tea can be combined with milk to make a "green tea latte." Simply mix brewed green tea with warm or frothy milk. Adding milk can change the flavor, making it creamier and less bitter. Some people enjoy this blend, while others prefer green tea without added ingredients to appreciate its natural taste.
Matcha latte is made with matcha powder, which is a type of green tea powder, and milk. The matcha powder is whisked with hot water to create a frothy mixture, and then milk is added to create the latte. Milk tea, on the other hand, is made with tea leaves (sometimes powder), milk, and sugar. The flavor and texture of the two drinks are quite different, with matcha latte having a distinct earthy and slightly bitter taste, while milk tea is sweeter and creamier.
To keep cooked boba pearls fresh and chewy, it's best to store them in a container with a small amount of simple syrup or sugar water. This will prevent the pearls from sticking together and drying out. You can keep the container sealed in the fridge for up to a day, and before adding them to your drinks, give them a quick rinse.
Love Matcha Recipes? Here are Some Green Tea Related Recipes To Try:
If you try this green tea in milk recipe, share a sip with us on our social media using the hashtag worldlytreat (#worldlytreat). We'd love to join the soirée. Also, don't forget to pin it for later. Chat soon?
PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
📖 Recipe
Green Milk Tea
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
- ½ cup hot water
- 4 tablespoons condensed milk or brown sugar syrup divided
- ½ cup cooked tapioca boba pearls divided
- 1 cup milk Any type you prefer or as needed, divided
- Ice cubes
- frothed milk or cream to top optional
Instructions
- Set aside two serving glasses while you prepare the milk tea. Follow the instructions below by adding equal measurements to each cup. The ingredients above are for 2 servings, so divide it amongst each serving cup.
- Pour about a tablespoon of hot water into the small bowl or cup with the matcha powder. Use a bamboo whisk or a small kitchen whisk to create a paste by vigorously whisking in a zig-zag motion. Pour the remaining hot water into the cup and continue whisking until the matcha is fully dissolved and a frothy layer forms on top.½ cup hot water, 2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
- Allow the matcha tea to cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Divide into equal parts.
- Add the condensed milk or your preferred sweetener, like brown sugar syrup, honey, or flavored syrup, into a tall serving glass.4 tablespoons condensed milk
- Add as many cooked tapioca pearls into the glass as you like with plenty of ice cubes.½ cup cooked tapioca boba pearls, Ice cubes
- Pour in the milk of your choice, leaving a bit of room at the top for more liquid or ice.1 cup milk
- Add the cooled matcha liquid from earlier in a slow, steady stream. Stir the iced matcha tea milk thoroughly to combine all the ingredients and cool it down further.
- Garnish (optional): You can garnish your iced matcha tea milk with frothed cream/milk, topped with a sprinkle of matcha powder. Serve with a boba straw. Enjoy immediately.(I use a frothed heavy cream with coconut milk for mine; It’s the best flavor combo.)frothed milk or cream to top
Notes
- Opt for high-quality green tea, preferably a ceremonial or culinary grade, for the best taste.
- After brewing the matcha tea, it's best to let it cool down to room temperature before moving forward. You can expedite the process by refrigerating the tea for a few minutes.
- To get the perfect consistency and frothiness, use a traditional bamboo whisk or a small kitchen whisk to vigorously stir the matcha in a zig-zag motion.
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