Description
Refreshing and elegant, this Strawberry Matcha Latte combines the earthy notes of matcha with the sweet essence of strawberries for a delightful drink that’s perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Strawberry Puree:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Matcha Concentrate:
- 2 teaspoons high-quality matcha powder
- 2 ounces hot water (around 175°F)
For the Latte:
- 1 cup milk of your choice (dairy, almond, oat, soy, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup or honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
- Ice cubes
- Optional: Whipped cream, extra strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the quartered strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.
- Cook the Strawberries: Place the saucepan over medium heat. As the strawberries heat up, they will release their juices. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Simmer and Soften: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, or until the strawberries are very soft and have broken down. The mixture should thicken slightly.
- Blend the Puree: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully transfer the strawberry mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan. Blend until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids; vent the blender lid to prevent pressure buildup.
- Strain (Optional): For a smoother puree, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds. This step is optional but recommended for a more refined texture.
- Cool the Puree: Allow the strawberry puree to cool completely before using it in the latte. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Sift the Matcha: Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl. This helps to remove any clumps and ensures a smoother concentrate.
- Add Hot Water: Pour the hot water (around 175°F) over the sifted matcha powder. It’s important that the water isn’t boiling, as this can make the matcha taste bitter.
- Whisk the Matcha: Use a bamboo whisk (chasen) or a small whisk to vigorously whisk the matcha and water together. Whisk in a “W” or “M” motion until the matcha is fully dissolved and a frothy layer forms on top. There should be no clumps of matcha powder remaining.
- Adjust Consistency (Optional): If the matcha concentrate is too strong for your liking, you can add a little more hot water to dilute it slightly.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. The amount of ice will depend on your preference.
- Add Strawberry Puree: Pour about 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled strawberry puree into the bottom of the glass. Adjust the amount to your liking, depending on how strawberry-flavored you want your latte.
- Pour in the Milk: Gently pour the milk of your choice over the strawberry puree and ice. Leave some space at the top of the glass for the matcha concentrate.
- Sweeten (Optional): If you prefer a sweeter latte, add 1 tablespoon of simple syrup or honey to the milk and stir gently to combine.
- Add the Matcha Concentrate: Slowly pour the prepared matcha concentrate over the milk. For a layered effect, pour it gently over the back of a spoon held just above the milk.
- Stir (Optional): If you prefer a more blended latte, you can gently stir the ingredients together. However, for a visually appealing layered effect, you can leave it unstirred.
- Garnish (Optional): Top with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry for an extra touch of elegance. You can also sprinkle a little matcha powder on top of the whipped cream.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your delicious and refreshing Strawberry Matcha Latte immediately!
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness of the latte by varying the amount of simple syrup or honey used.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based milk and skip the whipped cream garnish.
- Experiment with different fruits for unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending, Mixing
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Strawberry Matcha Latte, Matcha Drink, Fruit Latte, Refreshing Beverage
