Matcha and Milk: Should They Be Combined, Per Research?
Matcha has been around for centuries, but it’s taken on a new life over the past several years. People everywhere sip on matcha lattes, enjoy matcha smoothies, and nibble on matcha-flavored desserts.
Many of these recipes require you to mix milk with your matcha — but could this affect the health benefits of your tea? In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of combining matcha and milk, how to combine the two, and whether you can use common dairy alternatives instead.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves that are specially grown and processed. The plants are shaded before harvest, which boosts their chlorophyll content and gives matcha its iconic green color. After harvest, the leaves are steamed, dried, and stone-ground into a delicate powder.
In Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha represents mindfulness and tradition. Participants thoughtfully prepare tea as they gaze out over beautiful gardens and simple deco, savoring the flavor, texture, smell, and brewing process of the tea.
Beyond its cultural significance, matcha also has nutritional benefits. Packed with catechins like EGCG (an ultra-powerful antioxidant), matcha can support overall health by encouraging heart health, mental health, and even gut health. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation while enhancing focus.
Is Matcha Traditionally Mixed With Milk?
Traditionally, matcha is prepared without milk in Japanese tea ceremonies. Tea enjoyers will combine the green matcha powder with hot water and whisk it up using a bamboo whisk (or a milk frother, if you’re working with tools you already have).
However, in Western cultures, matcha has evolved into something different. Nowadays, we blend matcha into trendy beverages like matcha lattes. While it’s far from traditional, this adaptation is part of what’s made matcha so popular all over the world.
Are There Benefits of Mixing Matcha and Milk?
Mixing matcha and milk might not be traditional, but there’s a reason so many people do it. With its bold, earthy flavor, matcha can sometimes hit your palate like a green tea freight train. Whether you go for dairy or plant-based milk alternatives, adding milk smooths out matcha’s natural bitterness, turning it into a drink that feels more like a treat than a cup of tea.
But there’s more than just taste at stake. Milk also brings some extra nutrition to the table. Milk contains calcium for strong bones, vitamin D for mood and immune support, and protein to keep you fueled. Matcha lattes aren’t just delicious — they also pull double duty for your taste buds and your body.
Drawbacks of Mixing Matcha and Milk
While mixing matcha and milk has its benefits, it might come with a few drawbacks. Research suggests that proteins in milk could suppress matcha’s ability to boost diet-induced thermogenesis. This is the process where your body burns calories to produce heat after eating.
Matcha alone is known to support metabolism, which is why it’s often championed for weight management. But when paired with milk, that metabolic edge might be dulled, reducing its fat-burning potential.
So, while a matcha latte is undeniably delicious and soothing, it might not pack quite the same nutritional punch as plain matcha. If you’re all about maximizing health benefits, you might want to weigh the pros and cons before adding milk to your matcha.
How Can You Combine Milk With Matcha?
If you’ve weighed your options and decided to explore the milk/matcha combo, you have a few options. Here’s how to bring this duo to life:
- Matcha Latte: Whisk matcha powder with hot water, then blend with steamed milk for a creamy, frothy beverage. Add a touch of sweetener if it matches the vibe.
- Matcha Smoothie: Boost your morning with a blend of matcha powder, milk, frozen bananas, and spinach for a creamy, nutrient-packed drink.
- Matcha Panna Cotta: Elevate dessert with this Italian favorite. Infuse milk with matcha, sweeten the mixture, and mix with gelatin before chilling into a velvety, spoonable treat.
- Matcha Milk Tea: Combine matcha with milk and a touch of sweet syrup, then pour over ice. Add chewy tapioca pearls for an authentic bubble tea experience.
- Matcha White Hot Chocolate: Mix matcha with melted white chocolate chips and steamed milk for a rich and cozy cuppa.
- Matcha Cheesecake: Fold matcha powder into your cheesecake batter for an umami take on this timeless classic.
- Matcha Milkshake: Blend matcha, milk, vanilla ice cream, and a drizzle of honey for a thick, refreshing shake. It might not be your average milkshake, but hey, who doesn’t love a little taste of adventure?
No matter what recipe you choose to try, make sure you use only the highest quality of matcha. Here at Everyday Dose, our Mushroom Matcha+ is made with premium, ceremonial grade matcha. This is what gives our blend its rich flavor and vibrant color.
Our matcha also contains collagen protein to support gut health, lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms to support focus and immunity, and extra L-theanine to encourage mental health. It’s all of the benefits you love about matcha, plus a few extra to boot.
Can You Combine Milk Alternatives With Matcha?
Absolutely! Milk alternatives like almond, soy, and oat milk pair beautifully with matcha, offering creamy textures without dairy (which is a win for all of our lactose-intolerant divas).
When it comes to your options, here are the ones that match best with matcha:
- Almond Milk: Its light, nutty flavor complements matcha’s earthiness, and it’s great for those seeking a lower-calorie option.
- Soy Milk: Rich and creamy, soy milk blends beautifully with matcha, delivering a texture similar to dairy milk while also adding some protein.
- Oat Milk: A favorite for its natural sweetness and frothability, oat milk turns matcha into a thick and tasty dessert.
While milk alternatives offer dietary flexibility, their impact on matcha’s nutrients is still under-researched. Until science catches up, feel free to experiment with your favorite plant-based milk until you hit the perfect combo.
The Bottom Line
The good news is that if you like to enjoy a matcha latte on your way to work, it can actually add some extra nutrition and flavor. However, there are also plenty of reasons to enjoy matcha on its own, especially if you’re looking for specific matcha benefits.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. We personally love to add a splash of milk to our matcha, but the flavor of our Mushroom Matcha+ is also perfectly balanced on its own. To learn more tips on how to make the best matcha, visit our blog today.
Sources:
Milk | The Nutrition Source | Harvard
Consumption of Milk-Protein Combined with Green Tea Modulates Diet-Induced Thermogenesis | PMC
Matcha Green Tea Drinks Enhance Fat Oxidation During Brisk Walking in Females | PubMed
