Curl Up With These 7 Warm

Matcha Tea Beverages

This Monsoon

Matcha recipes have been trending forever and follow you to every new year, and feel as good as the first time they went viral. To make any kind of matcha beverage, you need quality matcha tea, and the colour determines the quality. The brighter the colour of the matcha, the better its quality, and the higher its cost. Matcha is an acquired taste, and if you are terribly fond of green tea and want calm in a cup, then you should try these hot beverages this monsoon. 

There is no such thing as ceremonial and culinary-grade matchas in Japan, although the latter is of higher quality than the former. To get an authentic batch of matcha tea, make sure they are sourced from Japan. So buy your matcha carefully, to get the best brew. To make a hot matcha latte, sift the matcha so it is lump-free and add it to a bowl and whisk in a vertical motion for 30 seconds until it is frothy. Transfer it to your favourite coffee mug or cup and top it with hot milk, whether cow or plant milk.

Monsoon calls for ginger tea in the form of masala chia and if you are fond of matcha, then you must try the ginger matcha tea. It is a warming drink that is great for your digestion, thanks to the ginger’s anti-inflammatory and digestive-boosting properties. To make matcha ginger tea, grate ginger into hot water and let it steep for 5 minutes. You can keep the ginger or discard it for a smoother drink. Add sifted matcha to a cup and whisk it with a bit of the ginger water until smooth. Pour the rest of the ginger water and whisk again until frothy. If you want it sweet, add honey, mix and serve.

What is usually a chilled iced latte is now a cosy monsoon drink. Blueberry matcha milk takes the earthiness of the matcha and mixes it with the sweet and tart flavour of blueberries. You can make a blueberry puree by blending fresh blueberries with a little water. If you want it warm, heat it on the stove with a bit of sugar for a sweeter version. Add the compote to the bottom of a glass and fill it with hot milk until ¾ full. Whisk the matcha tea into a frothy mix and pour over the milk for a warm, layered drink.

Fancy a mix of green tea and coffee? Then you should try this dirty matcha latte that features matcha tea and espresso. First, you need to brew a double shot of espresso or just brew a strong coffee using instant coffee powder. This time, whisk the matcha with brown sugar in warm tea; otherwise, you will have a bitter brew intensified by both the green tea and espresso. Pour hot milk into a cup or glass, then pour the matcha, followed by the hot espresso for a layered drink.

Honey and tea on a rainy day is a peak comforting beverage, and nothing better than one of the cosiest matcha recipes out there featuring matcha, almonds and honey. It is recommended that you make your own almond milk by pureeing blanched almonds with twice their amount of water in a blender; extract the liquid. But you can also use your favourite almond milk. To a blender, add the almond milk, matcha tea and honey and mix. Store in the freezer when you crave an iced latte or a warm beverage. Just mix it with hot milk and enjoy. 

A warm and creamy vegan drink that uses coconut milk is perfect for a cosy, rainy afternoon. To prepare it, whisk matcha powder with hot water until smooth and frothy, then combine with hot coconut milk. This one and the almond milk matcha tea recipes are perfect for those with dairy sensitivity or those following a vegan diet. For a sweeter drink, you can add a little maple syrup, honey, or sugar.

Bring in the cosiness of winter through a hot chocolate drink with the inclusion of freshly whisked matcha tea. Warm milk is mixed with cocoa or shaved chocolate to create a smooth chocolate base, while the matcha is whisked in a separate bowl with hot water, which is stirred into the mug with hot chocolate. The chocolate softens the matcha's grassy flavour, creating a drink that is both comforting and energising. Served hot, topped with sweet toppings like whipped cream.

Rainy days call for warm beverages as the throat gets hoarse and the nasal cavity gets clogged with mucus. For such days, try hot matcha tea, which bring relieve to congested throats and noses while radiating calm throughout your body. Ginger matcha infusions to almond milk and coconut milk lattes are perfect for this weather. So, invest in a pouch of matcha and brew away the blues, as the days turn dark, with rain clouds and rain showers.