What is the best milk to make matcha latte?

Matcha is the perfect partner for healthy lattes! But you may wonder which type of milk is best to make matcha latte? Everyone has a different favourite milk to drink and making matcha latte is really super simple so we just invite you to experiment the perfect match for your taste. At The Zen Tea Co. we like to use almond or oat milk to make our matcha latte, however you can really try any type of dairy, nuts or plant based milks because each of them will just pair up deliciously with matcha.

So, it’s entirely up to you to decide which one soothe your senses and soul better. And remember, every time you’re making a matcha drink which involves milk, feel free to substitute the suggested milk with the one of your choice! One of the things that we love about matcha is its versatility. It can be used in everything from baked goods to smoothies, and it’s unique and earthy taste pairs well with many different flavours. In facts matcha tastes great with pretty much any milk.

These are the reasons why we cannot simply pick a milk and say “this is the best milk for matcha lattes”! Each and every milk has something different to add to the matcha experience and all of them will taste just as good! And so, in this guide, we just want to take you through the most common types of milks you can easily find at the supermarket and we will try to explain their pros and cons and help you chose your favourite one! But please, don’t forget to experiment! You’ll be surprised how the milk you like less will be so good with matcha!

 

Let us take you to the journey of discovering milks...

 

 

NUT MILKS

ALMOND MILK

Almond milk is definitely a very good starting point. In fact, its texture is very similar to traditional milk (also its flavour is not too far) but with fewer calories. Almond milk is commonly appreciated for its slightly sweet taste, which makes it (almost) universally pleasant. If you are a matcha beginner and you are not used to the strong umami taste that matcha has, we believe you’ll find that almond milk can be a perfect match!

The only con of almond milk is the nutritional density. Almonds are rich in protein and healthy fat, but most of them get lost in the process and can therefore be less appealing for some. But, as we said, if you’re new to matcha or matcha lattes, it’s a good idea to start off with a beloved classic!

PROS – sweet taste, good for beginners and to help people who find umami taste challenging

CONS – low nutritional values

 

SOY MILK

One of the most popular nut-based milk is soy milk: it’s probably the most common alternative to traditional milk. Soy milk is also (possibly) the plainest milk and it has no sweet taste at all. Lack of sweetness can be a downside for those who desire something sweeter with matcha. You can also find sweetened versions, but keep in mind that they have added sugars. The good news is that what soy milk lacks in sweetness, it makes up for with nutrients. On average, soy milk has 4g of fat, 7g of protein, and 3g of carbohydrates.

In addition to this, it is also the cheapest option for plant-based milks and possible the easiest to find in store. The only downside to soy milk is that it tends to condense and thicken when heated. This is why we suggest to try soy milk when making iced matcha latte rather than hot lattes.

PROS – rich in nutrients, easy to find, cheap

CONS – no sweet taste, it tends to curdle when heated

 

CASHEW MILK

Unsweetened cashew milk is a great low-calorie choice but it is low on nutrients. So, if you are planning to reduce your calories intake, the cashew milk is a great option. But, if you’re an athlete or in a gaining phase, this milk it’s not be the best option. Also, we would discourage to use cashew milk if you will drink it before workout. However, cashew milk is really creamy and this makes it a favourite vegan alternative for recipes like vegan mac n’ cheese, but it also makes it perfect for preparing a rich and delicious matcha latte.

PROS – low calories, creamy

CONS – low on nutrients

 

PLANT MILKS

COCONUT MILK

 

Coconut milk scores the most flavoured of all types of non-dairy milk. It has a rich and creamy taste that makes it versatile to most beverages. Coconut milk is becoming a popular favourite. It’s very rich in fats that heats well and it’s naturally sweet, meaning you can skip the sugar. Coconut milk is best in baking and smoothies, where its thick texture is appreciated. Also, the slightly tropical taste this milk adds to drinks can’t be overtaken.

PROS – Sweet, flavour, good for beginners and to help people who find umami taste challenging

CONS – rich in fats

 

RICE MILK

If you’re an athlete or someone looking to fuel their body with high-quality fats and nutrients, or you are about to workout, then unsweetened rice milk is a great alternative to dairy milk. The over 10g of carbs each serving has, makes it ideal for a pre workout matcha mix. On another note, rice milk is possibly the less flavoured, it has a plain texture too and usually needs a strong kick in flavour when used in other drinks, and in our case, matcha is super rich in flavour!

PROS – high-quality fats and nutrients, high carbs

CONS – less flavoured, plain texture

 

HEMP MILK

Perhaps the trendiest non-dairy alternative to milk is the hemp milk. It has more fat and protein than almond or rice milk, with about 4.8g of protein and 7.2g of fat. In addition, unlike other plant-based milk, hemp milk has a complete group of proteins with a full range of amino acids. This makes it perfect for a post-workout recovery matcha latte or smoothie. On the other side, hemp milk lacks the natural sweetness, so it may not be the best option for matcha or latte beginner and those who are new to matcha might need some sort of sweetener. Hemp milk is not the easiest to find and possibly the pricie. But, if you spot it next time at the grocery shop, just grab it and give it a go: you’ll be rewarded with a nutrients and amino acids.

PROS – rich in protein, fat, nutrients and amino acids; perfect post-workout

CONS – non-sweet, more difficult to find, pricey

 

OAT MILK

Oat milk is becoming more and more well-liked. You can literally find it everywhere now and it’s so popular that it is also easy to find in coffee shops as they use it as a dairy alternative. It has a deliciously creamy texture but it doesn’t taste too heavy and can be heated without curdling. If you’re looking for a milk that will easily match with about anything, oat milk is your choice. It’s richer in nutrients than coconut or almond milk but it’s not the heaviest. It’s usually pricier than options, but it is extremely easy to find. Oat milk is another perfect match to matcha.

PROS – creamy, good amount of nutrients, easy to find

CONS – slightly pricey

Any milk is great when you first introduce matcha in tour life (or when you are trying to convince your friend for some matcha). Like coffee and liquors, matcha is usually an acquired taste, and drinking a pure shot isn’t typically the best way to start your journey in discovering the matcha effect! We suggest to start with matcha lattes, choosing coconut or almond milk (or even oat, just less sweet). Both milks pair up very well with matcha without cover its flavour entirely.

In conclusion, there are many alternatives to just dairy milk. Whether you’re looking for extra sweetness or a high-fat content, you’ll find the perfect milk for you which will offer something unique. Everyone is looking for different things in their daily matcha latte, so you’ll have your own favourite and we suggest to try different milks to find the best one for you (also in terms of taste!)

 

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