Once you try an iced matcha green tea latte you’ll never go back! It’s a creamy, delicious and refreshing drink that comes with so many benefits and nutrients. Which is why it’s a summer favourite at every local Starbucks.

But instead of a daily trip to Starbs, save your $4 and try our easy homemade copycat recipe that tastes just as good!

Matcha is a bright green powdered green tea made from good quality tea leaves called Tencha, which are shade grown and then ground into a fine powder. It’s become a popular tea used to boost lattes, smoothies, ice cream and even baking due to its superfood nutrients.

Due to its powdered ground state, quality matcha is much more nutritious than steeped green tea because you’re consuming the entire tea leaf rather than infusing your water and taking the tea away.

So, if matcha green tea is so good for you, what exactly is in it and what does it do?

We’ve discovered that a cup of matcha is a great source of Vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, K, and trace minerals. It also contains the amino acids L-Theanine and Theophylline. Regular consumption has proven to provide the following health benefits.

Boost the Immune System

Matcha has a rich source of antioxidants, containing polyphenols, catechins and chlorophyll. These antioxidants boost the immune system and help prepare your body to fight off illness.

Controls Type 2 Diabetes

Matcha controls Type 2 Diabetes by reducing levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and hepatic glucose content in diabetics. It also maintains cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels and the accumulation of lipids.

Detoxes the Body

Chlorophyll is a great antioxidant that will flush out your system and detoxify the body. It helps in cleansing blood and tissue, and flushes out toxins from the colon and rest of the body.

Reduces Stress & Anxiety

Matcha has an anti-stress, calming effect on the body. The amino acid L-Theanine assists in boosting alpha waves in the brain which encourage relaxation and induce mental clarity and alertness. The L-Theanine also acts as a neurotransmitter which exerts a calming effect on the brain without causing drowsiness. That’s why matcha is commonly consumed before yoga practices.

Decreases Risk of Cancer

The EGCG antioxidant in matcha fights against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and exerts inhibitory action on the development on cancer cells.

Alright it's go time! Let’s make this delicious iced matcha green tea latte at home. We’ve listed a refreshing, yet simple latte recipe below that can also be made as a dairy-free iced latte.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz cold milk, almond milk, cashew milk or oat milk
• 2 tsp matcha green tea powder
• 2 tsp vanilla syrup or honey
• 1 cup of ice

Instructions:

1. Add milk, matcha powder and vanilla syrup together in a blender. Blend until the mixture is lump free using a blender or milk frother.
2. Add ice cubes into glass and pour in mixture.
3. Serve and enjoy!