Matcha Recipe: An Easy Coffee Alternative in 5 Minutes!

Are you planning a special breakfast for Valentine’s Day, but want to change it up just a little?? Well, we have the perfect solution: a matcha recipe with a dash of beet root powder sifted on the top! It’s an absolutely beautiful drink—and one that has so many health benefits. 

I started drinking matcha a couple of years ago and became hooked. Don’t worry—I definitely haven’t given up my morning coffee. Matcha tea is usually my afternoon pick-me-up (I usually save my other favorite, ginger tea with lemon and honey, for the weekends). I work 10 hour days, and matcha gives me what I need to help me focus and finish the rest of my day strong. 

Unlike coffee, matcha helps me focus. And even better, I don’t usually have the caffeine-high (then crash) that comes with drinking coffee. 

What is matcha?

Matcha is a green tea powder that originated in China and was brought to Japan by a Zen monk in approximately 1190. Through the years, the popularity of matcha grew and the Japanese continued to perfect the growing process. 

Matcha is made from the same plant as green tea is made from, but instead of stopping at drying the leaves, makers grind the leaves into a powder. Check out this article from Japanese Green Tea Co. if you want more information about the actual process (it’s much more of an art than just grinding green tea leaves)! 

Why drink matcha tea? 

Matcha has many health benefits—and, of course, I think it also tastes fabulous! If you’re looking to eat (or drink!) more plants in 2021, matcha tea is a great place to start.

Here are a few of the best reasons to drink matcha:

• Improved focus: I find that matcha helps me focus more than other caffeinated drinks do. Some studies suggest that the amino acid L-theanine, found in matcha, improves concentration. As a person with anxiety, I’m always looking for that relaxed but alert state—so give me all the L-theanine! 
• Extended energy: Matcha can create longer-lasting energy levels without the caffeine jitters. Many experts think this benefit is due to the high levels of L-theanine and flavonoids.
• High in antioxidants: Oxidative damage can cause chronic inflammation. And inflammation can lead to chronic diseases (including cancer). Antioxidants can help protect against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer, among others.
• Prebiotic polyphenols: These guys encourage the growth of good bacteria in your gut, which leads to overall better gut health, but also may reduce your risk of cancer. Win-win!

How to make the best matcha latte

Your version of this matcha recipe is going to depend largely on if you’ve ever tried it before. If you’ve never tried it, I suggest adding less matcha powder at first, because it’s a bitter drink that can take some adjusting for your taste buds—the same as drinking black coffee. 

Also, I use plant-based milk instead of water because I like the richness of the milk, but you can definitely use water in a pinch for a more traditional matcha tea. 

Don’t overheat it

The amount of heat this green tea powder is exposed to is crucial to creating matcha.

If your liquid is too hot when you add it to the powder, your tea will be more bitter. Recommendations I’ve seen are no more than 175 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius). 

So how do we achieve this without taking the temperature of the liquid every time? I did it by warming my milk on the stove just until it was warm enough for me to feel cozy while drinking my latte.

This does require you to constantly check the milk, but I think it’s worth it to be able to bring out more of the flavor in this matcha recipe. 

Use a blender if you don’t have a whisk

Many use a bamboo whisk for whisking the green tea powder and creating froth. I don’t like having single-use kitchen items, so instead of using a whisk, I put all my ingredients in a single-serve blender and blend them for 20-30 seconds.

This creates a beautiful froth and ensures my matcha is mostly dissolved, without the need for a whisk. 

Bonus: Fun add-ins!

I add cinnamon to add more complexity and richness to the flavor, and a small amount of lemon juice to add a bright acidic flavor. Lemon juice also boosts the amount of Vitamin C found in matcha just slightly, and I’m here for a natural immune-booster. 

I also sprinkled mine with beet root powder to make it more festive, but that’s absolutely not necessary if you don’t have any on hand! 

That’s it, y’all! We hope you enjoy this festive (and health-boosting) matcha recipe! If you do make it, rate and comment below and tag us on IG @plum_savory to let us know how it goes 🙂

Cheers,
Elana

Matcha Recipe: An Easy Coffee Alternative in 5 Minutes!

Looking for a hit of caffeine that won't leave you jittery? Look no further than this matcha recipe–complete with a festive pink topping perfect for Valentine's Day!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 1 cup

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup oat milk
• 1 teaspoon ceremonial grade matcha powder
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• beetroot powder optional

Instructions

 

• Warm oat milk (1c) in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until just warm (do not boil, as this is too hot for the matcha).
• While milk is warming, place matcha powder (1tsp), maple syrup (1tsp), lemon juice (1tsp), and cinnamon (1/4tsp) in a single-serve blender.
• Once oat milk is warm, add to other ingredients in a blender.
• Blend for at least 30 seconds to dissolve the powder and create a frothy topping.
• Drink immediately in your favorite mug!

Notes

Notes: If you’ve never had matcha tea, you may want to start with 3/4 teaspoons of matcha powder and/or add more sweetener, as it can be an acquired taste.

Keyword antioxidants, green tea, Valentine’s Day, vegan, vegan-friendly, vegetarian