Traditionally, matcha is prepared with just water and matcha powder. But a matcha latte is of course also super tasty. There are now quite a few different types of milk available in the supermarket. Different brands, promises and flavours. With lactose, without fat and vegetable. But which milk do you choose for the best matcha latte?
How many types of 'milk' are there now?
In recent years, more and more types of 'milk' have been added. This is mainly due to the increasing demand for plant-based milk. Of course, each variety also tastes different. These types, and probably more, are:
- Skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole cow's milk
- Cow's milk without lactose
- Goat milk
- Foamed milk
- Soy drink (sweetened/unsweetened)
- Almond drink ((sweetened/unsweetened)
- Oat drink (sweetened / unsweetened)
- Coconut drink (sweetened/unsweetened)
- Cashew drink (sweetened / unsweetened)
- Hazelnut milk
- Spelled milk
- Based on pea protein
Many of these varieties can be found in the refrigerated section and on the unrefrigerated shelves as a non-perishable variety. The vegetable milks can also have a full-fat and light variant.
What should you pay attention to when buying a carton of milk?
Main ingredient
Plant-based milk often has one main ingredient in addition to water, such as oats, soy and almonds. The percentage of this ingredient determines how strong the taste is. Often it is only a few percent. A good quality plant-based milk has at least 5% of the ingredient. That way your matcha latte will also have more flavor.
Sugar
Another point to consider is the amount of sugar. You want to have as little added sugar in your milk as possible. To clarify: the 'normal' variant of a certain brand contains 2 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters. The unsweetened variant naturally contains no added sugar. The result is also that the percentage of soybean is lower in the sweetened variant.
Most cow's milk products do not contain added sugars. Frothed milk, milk for cappuccinos, sometimes yes.
Do you find a product much tastier with added sugar? Of course you can!
Protein
The comparison between vegetable variants and animal milk is quickly made. Not so convenient, because different ingredients also mean different flavors and nutritional values. Are you someone who drinks milk for the protein? Then not every plant-based drink is suitable for you.
Cow's milk contains about 3.5 grams of protein per 100 milliliters. Soy milk comes closest with 3.3 to 3.5 grams of protein per 100 milliliters. Oat, rice, coconut and almond drinks are not a great source of protein. Coconut drink does not even contain any protein at all.
Our top 3
Of course, taste is personal and you are free to look for the variant that you like best. Don't feel like that? Then choose a milk/drink from our top 3.
For a tasty matcha latte you want a milk that does not overpower the taste of matcha. You want a creamy taste that actually benefits the matcha. Cow's milk always falls off, because it has a strong taste and hinders your body from properly absorbing the matcha.
We came to the following top 3:
- almond drink
- coconut drink
- oat drink
These varieties have in common that they have a slightly sweet, creamy and nutty taste.
almond drink
Almond drink is the most nutty. Almond milk has the best taste and texture for a matcha latte. The taste is stronger than, for example, an oat drink. And it's a bit creamier too.
Almond drink does have a taste that you may have to get used to. If you are new to the world of plant-based milk, start with an oat drink first. Try almond drink later.
Do not make this milk too hot, that will not benefit both the milk and the matcha.
coconut drink
Coconut drink naturally tastes like coconut. Like coconut, it is slightly sweet. This sweetener is ideal for people who prefer to add sugar to their drinks. With coconut drink this may no longer be necessary.
If you don't like coconut, leave this milk alone. Rice milk is the solution for people with both nut allergies and gluten intolerance.
Coconut drink is not the same as coconut milk and coconut water.
oat drink
Oat drink is the most neutral of the three. It only has a very light nutty taste. You can hardly taste this in your matcha latte. Yet it also has a creamy taste. For that reason, many people find oat milk the best option for their coffee. Oat milk is also ideal for people with nut allergies.
Did you know that you can also make oat milk very well yourself? Put a little oatmeal in your blender, add water and mix! However, you cannot simply heat up this milk, because then you will still get oatmeal porridge. You will have to filter this milk well before you can.
Recipes
Did you know that we have a lot of recipes with matcha. Also for matcha lattes! Would you like to vary? Then try a matcha latte with white chocolate or the dalgona matcha latte .
You can find all our recipes on the website .
