Matcha lattes, they’re everywhere! In cafes, on social media, it seems that matcha lattes are the must-try drink at the moment. But what exactly are they and why are matcha lattes so popular? If you want to find out, keep reading as we dive into all things matcha lattes and why making one at home is easier than you may think. 

What is a Matcha Latte?

A matcha latte is matcha powder (powdered green tea leaves originating from Japan), with hot steamed milk, or cold if you’re going for an iced version. A sweetener of some kind is often used to enhance the taste, as well as other flavours like vanilla spending on preference.

The Origins of Matcha

Green tea originates from China and can be traced back to the 8th century. By the 12th century, steam-prepared dried tea leaves were becoming popular and it was around this time that a Buddhist monk, called Myoan Eisai, introduced what we know as Matcha to Japan. 

Esai realised that drinking matcha improved his Zen meditation sessions by producing a state of calm alertness. We now know that this is due to the interaction of matcha’s caffeine and L-theanine! Drinking matcha not only aided the meditation efforts of Zen monks but also became a means of attaining enlightenment itself and sacrificing a bowl of the drink to Buddha was part of everyday temple practices. As you can see, drinking matcha and matcha ceremonies were, and still are today, a key part of Japanese culture. 

The Evolution of the Matcha Latte 

Over the years, matcha drinking has evolved and has travelled worldwide. Now not just for Buddhist monks, it is a big part of Japanese culture and cuisine as well as around the rest of the globe. 

Matcha lattes and the concept of adding milk to matcha is a modern take on coffee culture and a latte containing coffee. It allows people to enjoy matcha but with the added creamy deliciousness. Many people choose to drink matcha lattes nowadays for its health benefits, while others enjoy its unique umami taste, which the Japanese consider as a separate category from ‘sweet’, ‘sour’ and ‘salty’.  

Why Are Matcha Lattes So Popular? 

There are many reasons why matcha lattes have become so popular over recent years. Here are a few of the top reasons for their popularity:

Health Benefits

Matcha holds many health benefits, which have fed into the health and wellbeing space, as well as society being more conscious of their health and what they put into their bodies. Benefits such as their high antioxidant and vitamin C levels, improved brain function and ability to relax the mind have all fed into matcha lattes becoming so popular. 

Slow Release Caffeine

Many people are realising that their daily, or too much, coffee leaves them feeling anxious or jittery. Another reason why matcha lattes are so popular at the moment is that people are realising that matcha lattes can provide similar energy boosts but without the jittery after effects due to them having a slow release of caffeine. 

Social Media 

Social media has had a major part to play in the popularity of matcha lattes. Their bright green colour and wellness aspect makes them an aesthetic addition to online content, that is shared and seen by millions every day. Currently, there are 130.6M posts about matcha lattes on TikTok alone! 

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is on everyone’s lips and is a movement that many people and organisations are integrating into their daily lives, due to its impressive benefits. Drinking matcha has been shown to improve mindfulness in many people, explaining why matcha lattes are so popular right now. 

Accessibility 

Accessibility is also a major reason matcha lattes are so popular. Many cafes and restaurants now offer matcha lattes on their menus, and many dedicated matcha cafes are popping up across the country, specialising in matcha-inspired bakes and of course matcha lattes. 

There are also many matcha lattes blends available that enable you to easily make your own matcha lattes at home! By simply adding water or your own frothed milk, it’s now easier than ever to make a delicious matcha latte from the comfort of your kitchen. 

Making Matcha Lattes at Home 

It’s so easy to make a matcha latte at home that rivals the popular matcha lattes you may see at cafes or on social media. Using a high-grade ceremonial matcha powder is key for an authentic taste and impressive colour. Using a pre-mixed blend is also a great way to ensure the matcha-to-milk ratio is just right, as well as the amount of sweetness to balance against the earthy taste of the matcha. 

Here’s how to make one at home:

1. Take a teaspoon of your matcha powder or blend and place in your favourite mug. 
2. Add a little hot water and whisk the mixture until smooth.
3. Heat and froth up your milk.
4. Stir your milk into your matcha mixture. 
5. Add a little sweetener of your choice to taste, such as honey or sugar-free syrup. 
6. Sit back and enjoy!

Organic Matcha Latte Blends with Sweet Revolution  

At Sweet Revolution, we have a range of matcha and matcha latte products that you can make at home. Organic, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and 100% vegan, all our matcha products provide the full benefits of matcha with the distinctive taste we all know and love. 

Discover our full range of wellness drinks by clicking here.