January is National Hot Tea Month and today is National Hot Tea Day! Celebrate with your favorite tea, dressed up any way you like or not at all. One of my favorites is a matcha latte and it’s really easy to make.

Green Tea Matcha Latte

• 1 teaspoon green tea matcha powder
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup milk, heated to a simmer
• agave syrup, to taste

In a heat-resistant cup, slowly whisk together the matcha powder and water. Slowly add in the milk, whisking to a froth. Add agave to taste.

A few notes about the recipe: When purchasing matcha powder, check the ingredients. I ordered mine online and it contains 100% green tea leaves. Some matcha powders are mixes that contain sugar and/or other ingredients, so just be aware of what you’re buying. Also I’m neither vegan nor lactose intolerant, so I used cow’s milk but feel free to use your milk of choice.

I love the earthy, grassy taste of matcha. In addition to tasting good, it has health benefits as well. Traditional green tea steeped from leaves is high in antioxidants; matcha is more so because it is made from the whole ground leaf. Matcha has about the same level of caffeine as a cup of coffee, so just be aware of that if you’re watching your caffeine intake.

Matcha has long been used in conjunction with meditation, so try a cup before your next session.

Enjoy!

Debra