Green Tea (Matcha) Latte

I've been indulging in green tea lattes for at least the past month or so, both at home and at coffee shops. It's funny because I used to hate the stuff but I've grown to love it as my tastes have changed over the years.

Green tea, or "matcha", is available at some specialty grocery stores in bulk or in small tea canisters in the regular tea aisle. Of course it's also readily available at Asian grocery stores and online. I've purchased in bulk and in the prepackaged containers and I must say, I think the containers are a better value! When I bought it at my grocery store, it was about $80/lb which is insane! Pricing can vary greatly depending on the quality of the tea in canisters, from food grade to tea ceremony grade. For everyday drinking in tea lattes, I recommend getting a lower grade (cheaper) tea and work up from there if you're feeling splurgy.

Matcha and Prepared Matcha Latte

Green Tea Latte

Ingredients

• 6oz milk (dairy or plain non-dairy)
• 1 tsp matcha
• 1 tsp honey/agave, or to taste

Method

1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Optionally heat in the microwave. Do not allow to boil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the matcha and a small amount of milk into a slurry, working out any matcha lumps. Pour this slurry into the main milk mixture and whisk until blended.
3. Add the sweetener and serve.

**Can also be prepared with an espresso steamer wand. Combine all ingredients in the milk pitcher and steam until hot.

Makes 1 serving.

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last taste of summer

It's been really hot around here for over a week, then suddenly, cool temperatures are back! Kinda makes it feel like the real end to summer and while I'm not quite yet ready to let it go, I will carry this drink with me into the fall: shaken iced tea.

I discovered this drink on the menu at Starbucks and couldn't get enough of it. Perfectly brewed black tea, served over ice, and just slightly sweetened? Yes, please. Also doesn't hurt that it's the cheapest drink on the menu ;) Then I realized I could make the same drink and have it on hand all the time at home. All I'd need was some tea, some sweetener, ice, and a cocktail shaker for good measure.

Tea: experiment, play around, find what you like! I tend to use black tea (PG Tips tea bags or loose-leaf), but I've also had success with Yerba Mate. I make a batch of 1.5 liters at a time, traditional hot brew method, then chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Sweetener: simple syrup is quick and easy to make--boil equal parts water and sugar, then lower heat to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Otherwise, I think agave could be quite nice. It needs to dissolve completely in cold water.

Using a cocktail shaker, for added flair, add several ice cubes, followed by tea, and a splash of sweetener. Shake vigorously and pour into a glass. Without cocktail shaker, put ingredients in a glass and stir to combine.

I love this too because it can be custom tailored to your taste. Like extra strong tea? Brew it up! Extra sweet? Bring on the simple syrup.

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Chai Tea Concentrate

This stuff is handy to have around at home if you're a chai tea fan. The final chai tea product is much more flavorful than anything you'd buy prepackaged at the grocery store or buy at the corner coffee shop.

Chai Tea Concentrate

Ingredients

• 10 thin slices of ginger
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 10 cardamom seeds (from about 2 pods)
• 5 cloves, or 1/2 tsp
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup sugar, honey, agave, etc. to taste

Method

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a full boil, and then simmer over very low heat for 20 minutes.
2. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
3. To serve, blend about two parts chai tea concentrate to one part warm or steamed milk, to taste.

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tea in portland

For a cute little shop, filled with tea accessories from tea pots to infusers to mugs and beyond, as well as a large menu of looseleaf teas, Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge is amazing. They have teas from around the world and plus they'll give you delicious samples! I had some vanilla rooibos; now I'm not normally a rooibos fan, but this was good stuff.

They also have a lounge in back which looks pretty cool.

Check it out!

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Tea Latte

Why go out to a coffee shop for a tea latte when you can make one at home at a fraction of the price? I think the best part of making these at home yourself is you can experiment with your favorite teas and even make your own simple syrups to use!

If you've got an espresso machine, you can use that to make this drink a bit more "authentic" with steamed milk and tea shots.

Tea Latte

Ingredients

• 6-8oz brewed tea
• 2-4oz hot milk
• Vanilla syrup (to taste)

Method

With espresso machine:

1. If using an espresso machine, steam the milk and syrup and set aside.
2. Pack a scoop of tea leaves as you would ground coffee and pull your shot(s).
3. Pour the tea shots into the milk and serve.

Without espresso machine:

1. Combine all hot ingredients in a mug and serve.

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chai tea mix

A good cup of chai tea is always fabulous. I am partial to Oregon Chai brand; I really like its mild yet creamy flavor. I've had homemade chai before, the kind you actually boil with black tea and spices, but honestly the flavors are a bit strong for me. My palate has been trained, for better or worse.


I used this recipe for chai tea mix which I found on allrecipes. I found a couple recipes posted elsewhere which were exactly the same. I finally got a chance to use my vanilla sugar in making this which was great. This mix does have a bit of spiciness to it, but it is mild enough for all those chai tea concentrate drinkers out there (it was for me), so I definitely recommend at least trying a half batch.

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