Services · · 2 min read
What Is the Difference Between a Matcha Latte and Matcha Tea?
Matcha tea is ceremonial matcha whisked with hot water only: earthy, unsweetened and strong. A matcha latte is the same whisked matcha poured over steamed or iced milk and usually sweetened, which makes it smoother and the easier first try.
By Loomie Coffee · Updated
Matcha is everywhere: on Instagram, at wellness-focused corporate events in Washington DC, on every coffee shop menu.
If you are new to it, ordering can be confusing. Menus list both “matcha tea” and “matcha latte”. They use the same green powder, but the preparation, the flavor and the experience are different.
As a husband-and-wife team running a coffee cart with a matcha station across DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, we love answering this question at the cart. Here is the simple breakdown.
First, what is matcha?
With ordinary green tea, you steep the leaves in hot water and then throw them away. Matcha is made from shade-grown green tea leaves stone-ground into a very fine powder, so when you drink it you consume the whole leaf. That is why it tastes so much more intense than steeped green tea.
The traditional experience: matcha tea
Matcha tea, often called usucha in its traditional Japanese preparation, is matcha in its purest form.
- How it is made: ceremonial-grade matcha is sifted, hot water is added, and it is whisked with a bamboo whisk, a chasen, until frothy and smooth.
- The flavor: just powder and water, so it is earthy, full-bodied and savory, with the umami note matcha is known for. It is not sweet.
- Who it is for: purists, tea lovers, and guests who want matcha with no milk or added sugar.
The crowd favorite: the matcha latte
A matcha latte turns that whisked tea into a creamy, café-style drink.
- How it is made: the matcha is still whisked with a little hot water into a concentrated shot, then poured over steamed milk for a hot latte, or layered over cold milk and ice for an iced one.
- The flavor: the milk softens the earthiness, so the drink is smooth and rich. Matcha lattes are usually sweetened too.
- Who it is for: almost everyone. If your wedding or corporate guests are trying matcha for the first time, an iced matcha latte is usually the way in.
How we serve it
Our matcha station is an add-on to the coffee bar, and it makes both. We use organic ceremonial-grade matcha, sifted and hand-whisked to order, for a bright green color and a smooth finish.
When a guest orders a latte, we sweeten it with our house-made flavors, made from organic cane sugar with nothing artificial, so the matcha still comes through. Oat and almond milk are included, for a dairy-free latte that is just as creamy. Roasted hojicha comes with the station as well, for a toastier, mellower cup.
Bring a matcha bar to your next event
Why choose between coffee and tea when your guests can have both? For a morning baby shower, a bridal party getting ready or a corporate wellness day, our matcha bar catering adds a hand-whisked station to the espresso bar.
When you know the date and the guest count, send them over. Get a quote. Every event gets a custom quote based on guests, hours, location and add-ons.
Questions people also ask
Is matcha tea sweet?
No. Traditional matcha tea is only matcha and hot water, so it is earthy and unsweetened. A matcha latte is usually sweetened, which is part of why it is the easier first try.
Does matcha contain caffeine?
Yes. Matcha is made from the whole tea leaf and contains caffeine. Herbal tea, which comes with every booking, is the drink for guests avoiding caffeine.
