If you’re a tea enthusiast or just starting your journey in the world of matcha, you may have come across a discussion about mixing matcha with milk or water. In fact, some find it more enjoyable to drink matcha lattes than just matcha tea made with hot water only. Others argue that matcha lattes have fewer benefits than typical matcha tea. Is it true or false? Let’s find out more about milk and water in matcha.
What is Matcha Latte?
A matcha latte is a beverage that is made using a combination of green tea matcha powder, water, and milk to create a smooth and creamy drink with a grassy taste. Matcha lattes can be served hot or iced/cold.
How is a matcha latte made anyway? The process starts by adding matcha powder to a tea bowl, followed by hot water, and whisking the two. The concoction is then topped with steamed milk. You may add a sweetener like honey or agave syrup; it’s optional.
Is Matcha Better with Milk or Water?
Matcha powder can be mixed with both milk and water and still taste good. Both of these matcha tea versions have relatively similar health benefits. The only difference is the taste.
Matcha mixed with water has a mellow grassy taste accompanied by a naturally sweet nuttiness with a touch of bitterness. On the other hand, matcha mixed with milk (a matcha latte) has a sweet vegetal flavor, a slightly bitter taste, and a smooth texture. However, if a matcha latte is mixed with a sweetener, you’ll hardly feel its bitterness.
As you can tell, matcha is good with both milk and water. It depends on your preference or how you want to enjoy it.
Is Drinking Matcha with Milk a Bad Idea?
Drinking matcha with milk is not a bad idea. In fact, a significant number of people enjoy matcha lattes offered in most restaurants, such as Starbucks. However, traditionally especially in Japan and China, where most of the world’s matcha comes from, they prefer drinking it with water only.
However, some people subscribe to the school of thought that drinking matcha with milk is wrong because it reduces the health benefits. Is it false or true? The facts are that matcha contains catechins which hold immense health benefits. They boost anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in matcha. On the other hand, milk has a protein called caseins, and a study found it affected the antioxidant activity of polyphenols such as catechins. When these two components react, it reduces matcha’s health benefits. Therefore, we can say that adding milk to matcha is not a bad idea, but you’ll have reduced benefits.
Notably, some studies, on the contrary, have noted that there is no hard evidence that adding dairy products like milk reduces its health benefits.
What Milk Is bBst with Matcha?
Most matcha enthusiasts recommend soy milk instead of cow’s milk. Soy milk has a component called lecithin. It has a different molecular structure from that of casein and doesn’t hinder the benefits of catechins in matcha tea or matcha smoothies.
What is the Best Way to Consume Matcha?
You can consume matcha tea with either water or with milk. As outlined above, any of them will still provide health benefits if you’re using quality matcha powder and milk. Don’t shy away from enjoying your tea with or without milk.
Summary
You can mix your matcha tea with milk or water only. Each of the matcha versions has a distinctive taste worth trying. Notably, adding milk to matcha has no health risks to your body, but it may reduce the health benefits matcha provides. However, you’ll still have most of the benefits if you’re using quality matcha powder. Additionally, you may consider using soy milk over typical cow’s milk while making matcha lattes.
Check out Blueseatea’s organic matcha powder, which is of high quality. You can use it to prepare hot matcha, iced matcha, or make matcha lattes. Besides, it contains antioxidants, amino acids, EGCGs, L-Theanine, and minerals.
References
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