As a personal trainer, I used to love coffee. It gave me a quick pick-me-up and got me through long days of working and training. But it came with a few caveats. For starters, there’s the jittery induced anxiety, which does more to distract my focus than align it. And then there’s a crash, so I go for another cup, another…and another. Even worse, I have a sensitive stomach, which both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee tends to aggravate.

So, I started experimenting with tea and eventually stumbled across matcha, which is essentially ground up green tea leaves. It turned out to be a great substitute for coffee, especially in my case, because it is easy on the stomach and provides a mellow, non-jittery, focused buzz. And it’s better than just drinking green tea. One cup of matcha is the equivalent of drinking three cups of green tea. That’s three times the energy boost and health benefits in one cup!

With so many brands and grades of matcha to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Having experimented with several varieties, my go-to is Matcha Kari’s Ceremonial Grade Matcha. I’ve been drinking matcha for a few years now and when it comes to a tasty bowl, quality matters. That’s why I go with the ceremonial grade. It’s a little more pricey, but the flavor is outstanding: mild, sweet, not too grassy, full flavored, and always leaves you craving more. Matcha Kari has figured it out and I appreciate their attention to detail and quality sourcing.

My favorite way to enjoy matcha is in the form of a dairy free latte. Below I provide my favorite recipe, something I make two to three times a day. I hope you enjoy!

Matcha Latte

Just like the quality of matcha matters, the milk you use makes a difference too! I like to use cashew or oat milk and my favorite brand is Elmhurst. They make delicious dairy free milks with minimal added ingredients. They even have a barista blend that froths beautifully! For the recipe below, I use Elmhurst's Barista Cashew Milk.

Course Drinks

Servings 1

Ingredients

1-2 Tsp Ceremonial Grade Matcha
1-2 Cup Hot Water - Heated to 180 Degrees Fahrenheit
1/4-1/2 Cup Cashew or Oat Milk

Instructions

Grab milk of choice. I've found cashew and oat milk taste best.
Heat milk on the stovetop or quickly use the microwave for 45 seconds.
Froth heated milk and set aside to add at the end.
Place sifter over matcha bowl and add 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder.
Sift the matcha through.
Matcha should be finely sifted. This step makes it easily blend with water.
Add 1/2 cup of 180 Degrees Fahrenheit heated water. Between 170-180 is a good range for green tea. Anything hotter, like boiling, will burn the tea resulting in a bitter taste.
Whisk fiercely back and forth.
Add 1-2 cups more of hot water and whisk.
Pour over the heated and frothed cashew or oat milk.
Mix slightly, keeping the frothy top layer.
Enjoy!