How To Make Matcha Latte With An Espresso Machine?
Do you usually wonder what else you can make with your home espresso machine? Well, home brewers like you think of trying out different drinks using an espresso machine.
With the Japanese Matcha Latte gaining widespread recognition these days and due to its health benefits, you might also want to make one.
But can it be made with an espresso machine? Of course, you can make one, but there are certain rules that you need to follow and also certain warnings that you should take heed of.
So in this article, you will learn how to make matcha latte with an espresso machine, its hot and cold versions, and much more about the matcha family.
What is Matcha?
You guys are well aware of green tea, right? Matcha is also a finely ground green tea powder, but the way it is grown is somewhat different from that of regular green tea.
Originally from China, the green tea plants that matcha is made from are covered from sunlight 3 to 4 weeks before harvesting them.
This is done to let the plants produce more theanine and caffeine.
Despite of this fact, their caffeine content is less compared to that of coffee.
These green tea plants are then finely powdered down and made into matcha.
They are used in tea bags or are used to make the popular matcha latte.
How to Make Matcha Latte With an Espresso Machine?
I first saw the matcha making process in Shinchan (a famous Japanese cartoon), but they didn’t use an espresso machine to make it though. Anyways, let’s jump to the recipe and the process of preparing matcha latte with an espresso machine:
Hot Matcha Latte:
If it’s winters or you have a thing for warm drinks, then the hot matcha latte is the best for you. Its floral, creamy flavour and that fresh tint of green will make your day.
What do you need?
Matcha, matcha bowl, bamboo matcha teaspoon (or regular steel teaspoon), a fine mesh sieve (optional), and a bamboo whisk. You can also add sweeteners such as sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave for enhanced taste.
The matcha that you buy from the market should be fresh and for the best taste, buy high-quality matcha, the ceremonial one.
Otherwise the average one would also do, but make sure it’s fresh. The good-quality and fresh matcha has a bright green colour and is not muddy green or pale green.
How to make hot matcha latte?
STEP 01: You can add the matcha to the portafilter, but let me warn you that your espresso machine might get clogged. Moreover, matcha is not made to bear the piping hot water and quick extraction process of the espresso machine. Its slow and soothing process is what makes matcha flavorful.
Or, you can add the green tea matcha leaves to the portafilter to extract the base of matcha. But the result won’t be as expected.
Or, the best and the most recommended option is to add three spoonful of matcha powder using the bamboo spoon into the matcha bowl (or one regular teaspoon of matcha). Stir the matcha to get rid of the lumps.
STEP 02: Add 80 ml of hot water of approx 80° Celsius, and now using the bamboo whisk or any other similar equipment whisk the two vigorously until it forms a smooth paste and is not powdery.
Note: The water shouldn’t be too hot or the matcha will lose its delicate flavor and sweet aroma.
Once the paste is ready, you can also add some sweeteners if you wish to and mix it thoroughly. If you’re using sweetened milk, add less amount of sweeteners.
STEP 03: Now’s the point where you make the matcha frothier and milkier by adding milk to it. Regarding the type of milk, you can use any type of milk such as cow milk, almond milk to give a nutty kick, soy milk, coconut milk for enhanced flavour and volume, or any other non-dairy milk for the health-conscious ones.
Some of them prefer adding steamed milk to the matcha and then stirring it continuously to make it creamier and fluffier. But as we are using an espresso machine, we will froth milk using the steam wand and then add it to the matcha. So how do you get the perfect milk consistency by texturing it? Texturing milk is just a matter of few seconds.
Turn on the espresso machine and let it heat-up. Gather your milk pitcher with 250 ml milk, submerge the steaming wand halfway into the milk, ensure that it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pitcher.
After a few seconds of steaming, you find the milk rising up, at which point you should move down the pitcher and tilt it at an angle. Turn the machine off after the perfect tendency has been reached.
NOTE: Don’t heat the milk too much, otherwise it will lose its frothiness and richness, and will give you a burnt tasting milk froth.
Experts say that this whole process of heating and frothing the milk requires only 65 to 70 seconds. And even when frothing milk, it shouldn’t be too hot, try to maintain a temperature between 60°-70° Celsius.
STEP 04: Once your frothed milk is ready, add it to the matcha mug over the matcha. You can now do the latte art with this frothed milk and calm yourself with the pleasant green and white hues. Enjoy it whilst hot, topped with some matcha powder and served with pumpkin pancakes/cinnamon swirl bread/blueberry muffins or any snack that goes best with it.
People also use an alternate method, where they add matcha into the milk and froth them together.
Iced Matcha Latte:
Making an iced matcha latte at home using an espresso machine is also easy. You just have to add a shot of espresso and ice, and the process of adding the ingredients also differs. You can enjoy this drink on a hot summer day and relax yourself with it.
How to make iced matcha latte?
Step o1: Pour a shot of espresso in a glass.
Step 02: Add ice into it. It depends on how cold you prefer.
Step 03: Add milk over it, whichever milk you like.
Step 04: Pour the matcha shot over this mixture. To prepare the matcha shot, froth matcha and water together.
Step 05: Stir it well and relish with this icy beverage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What are the health benefits of matcha?
There are many proven health benefits of matcha as it is rich in antioxidants, it helps you in losing body weight, promotes your heart health, protects your liver, calms down your body, prevents cancer, and stimulates your brain. Additionally, it also contributes in reducing cell damage.
- Is matcha better than coffee?
Coffee is a great stimulant, but matcha too isn’t less. Yes, you can consider matcha a better substitute to coffee as matcha too stimulates your brain with its caffeine content. Moreover, the caffeine in matcha releases slower into your body when compared to the caffeine in coffee.
- Is iced matcha latte better than a hot matcha latte?
Choosing between iced matcha latte and hot matcha latte is a tough decision. But the answer to this question completely lies with you. It’s a matter of personal preference. However, you can try both these drinks according to the seasons, drink hot matcha in winters and its iced counterpart in sizzling summers.
- Is matcha used only in drinks?
Just as coffee is used in many foods and drinks as a taste enhancer, matcha too can be used in the same way. You can make matcha cake cookies, rose matcha latte, matcha white chocolate mousse, matcha buttercream, matcha mochi, matcha tea marshmallows, matcha tiramisu, and many more delicacies. Bring out the chef in you!
- Does matcha have more caffeine than coffee?
No, matcha contains less caffeine than coffee. Where an average cup of java contains 100 to 140 milligrams of caffeine, matcha only has 70 milligrams of caffeine. It’s a good drink with natural stimulant for those who need less caffeine per cup.
Wrapping-up:
Now you know how to use an espresso machine to its fullest capacity. And I’m sure you can’t wait to make matcha latte in your espresso machine. It is an easy and quick recipe which can also be modified by adding the flavors and sweeteners of your choice.
And don’t worry if you do not have the bamboo equipment, you can use the equipment resembling them and performing the same functions. So what are you waiting for?! Try out making matcha latte in your espresso machine. Cheers to the good drink!
