I was really intimidated to make my own matcha at first but now that I’ve perfected my method, I wanted to share this quick guide on how to make iced matcha. No matter the weather, I will always be over here stirring my iced matcha like summer never left!
If you didn’t know already, I am truly in love with matcha. It even was part of the inspiration for my blog branding colors. I look forward to it in the morning and you might have even noticed I typically share my daily #matchamoment over on Instagram.
Without a doubt, iced is my favorite way to drink my morning matcha.
I have finally perfected my process to 4 quick easy steps, even the sleepiest of morning people can do it!
I highly recommend anyone trying to kick their coffee addiction to the curb try matcha instead!
*I do not condone the use of anything as a miracle cure, weight loss wonder or cure-all potion, but I truly notice a difference in my ability to focus and energy on days I drink matcha and days I don’t. As someone who struggles with chronic fatigue, matcha is a healthy and safe way to give my system a boost!
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a green tea powder made from ground green tea leaves. For green tea leaves to be made into matcha specifically, they must be grown in the shade. By growing in shade, the leaves become more nutrient-dense and brighter in color, which is what makes the matcha we know and love. The cultivation of matcha is also much more in-depth than regular tea, which is why it is so much more expensive. Once the leaves have been grown and picked, the process doesn’t stop there. The leaves are then steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder. The stems must be removed so that the powdered leaves make light and airy powdered matcha tea, which can be laborious. This process is rarely respected outside of Japan, which is why finding a powder that was made in Japan is so important.
Matcha contains the same health benefits as green tea but much more powerful and concentrated. Since you consume the actual leaves, you receive more of the benefits than regular tea where you just steep and remove the leaves. Matcha has an earthy flavor with a slight sweetness that contains half the caffeine as a cup of coffee. What I love the most about matcha is it gives me a boosted feeling without feeling jittery. This is because green tea contains the amino acid theanine. Theanine is known for its calming characteristics and is often made into a natural supplement for anxiety, stress, depression, and mental clarity. I prefer to go straight to the source, but I can attest to the feeling of less anxious and more focused after my morning matcha.
How to Pick a Matcha Tea?
Often you will see different “grades” like culinary and ceremonial, which vary in price, but these are just marketing tactics used in the USA. Ignore them and read about the characteristics of the tea. True matcha is from Japan and you can judge the quality by color. The higher the quality, the brighter the green color the tea will be. I have used different types and noticed some differences between brands but not between “grades.”
My advice for picking out a matcha powder is to find what fits your budget, doesn’t have any added ingredients, like sugar, and it easily accessible. You want it to be pure green tea powder, that’s it!
I typically spend about $20-$30 on my matcha powder. If you spend more, it will be good but will be better for drinking straight, not in lattes or used in baking. I drink mine almost exclusively in lattes so I don’t feel the need to spend too much.
A few of my favorites are: Encha Organic Matcha, Ippodo Tea Ikuyo Matcha, Akira Organic Matcha
If you really just want to test the waters without much commitment, Whole Foods 365 Organic Matcha powder isn’t bad for the price. It is lower quality but has good flavor if you just want to try experimenting with the idea of matcha. Personally, I highly recommend trying one of the other brands for the best matcha experience.
The Benefits of Matcha
- Matcha is high in antioxidants and catechins, which are important for your immune system
- Matcha contains EGCG, which is a specific antioxidant that’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, making matcha good for those with autoimmune diseases
- Matcha is naturally low in calories, sugar, and sodium while containing important vitamins and minerals like iron and calcium
- Naturally occurring caffeine in matcha provides a sustained energy boost and increase the level of focus
*As someone with a heart condition, I do not feel jittery or have a racy heart when drinking matcha - Matcha is known to boost metabolism
- Matcha has detoxifying properties, due to the high levels of chlorophyll, which helps your body get rid of chemicals
How To Make Iced Matcha
I start with a mason jar filled up about 1/4 with ice.
Then add rice milk until half the jar is full.
Next put about 2 tsp of matcha powder into a small bowl and add just enough, about 1 -2 tablespoons, of hot but not boiling water to whisk it together.
If I am really feeling lazy, I just use rice milk to whisk with the matcha, instead of water. It saves a step and I haven’t noticed a difference in flavor.
To whisk, I use a bamboo whisk but you could also do this in a blender or just shake in a cup that has a lid, like a mason jar. Iced Matcha is very forgiving when being used in a latte.
If mixing in a blender, put the rice milk in first then matcha powder.
I add the now liquid matcha into mason jar with the ice, and add about 1tsp of agave nectar for sweetness. Now I top off with rice milk and stir until it is a light green.
*Most people use hot water to whisk with as it activates the green tea powder better, but I use milk for convenience and avoid it tasting watery since it’s already being served over ice. I like my matcha strong. If you want to start slow, use 1 tsp of matcha powder instead of two.
It’s really so simple, I could make it in my sleep!
Have you tried matcha before? Let me know if you give this iced matcha latte a try!
Check out my IG reel where I show the process step by step!
You can also read how I make my hot matcha latte here!
Collectively, Karmen
