7 Benefits Of Iced Matcha Latte + The Best Recipe 2024 (2024)

Dear iced matcha, you know I love you. Thanks to you I can have a caffeine boost without also boosting my anxiety. That feels like a positive relationship if there ever was one. But you know what would make you even better? Collagen. So that’s what we’re going to do today. We’re going to give you a little upgrade because every iced matcha latte deserve a 2nd life, right?

If you’re new to the blog, hello, I’m Savvy. And I don’t normally talk to my drinks this way but I’ve been staring at this intro for ages and we’re here now so. . . An ode to iced matcha it is! In general, I’m a drinks gal. You’ll almost always find me with 3 drinks on my desk. But over the last year or so, my tradition coffee/cold brew has been replaced with decaf and the need for a safer caffeine boost was brought into my life.

So today, we’re chatting all things matcha. Of course, I’m sharing my go-to recipe. If you follow me on Instagram you might have screenshotted it when I recently shared it, I always drop sneak peeks over there so if you aren’t following you’re missing out. But there are a few other things for us to chat about today: the best matcha powder, how to make matcha with & without a whisk, and if matcha is better for anxiety. Pour a cup of tea and get ready friends, we’ve got lots to chat about!

What Are The Benefits Of Matcha Tea?

It’s High In Amino Acids

Because of how the matcha is grown, the tea plants end up with more amino acids (required for: protein synthesis, tissue repair, and nutrient absorption), chlorophyll (can boost energy & fight illness), and theanine (which helps to regulate emotions, mood, energy & other brain functions. (1)

It’s High In Anti-Oxidants

Matcha’s tea leaves contain several anti-oxidants such as vitamin c (matcha has 2x the amount of other green teas), quercetin (a phytochemical that helps regulate insulin and insulin sensitivity), and rutin (known for it’santi-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties).

Additionally, all these extra anti-oxidants mean your body has a better chance of fighting off free radicals which are linked to heart disease, cancer, and other diseases (2).

It’s High In Theanine

Theanine is an amino acid. Along with attributing to the taste of matcha, the “combination of l-theanine and caffeine may enhance concentration, vigilance, and efficiency to a higher extent than the use of either compound alone, additionally alleviating stress”.

It has anti-viral properties

One of many studies has shown that “matcha green tea may have antiviral activity (by inactivating SARS-CoV-2)”. However, this is contingent on the virus and more studies are required to fully vet this potential benefit.

May Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders

Matcha powder contains both ECGC and caffeine. ECGC helps to reduce neuroinflammation, inhibits ageing of the brain, decreases the deposition of amyloid-β in the brain which is the main component of the plaque found in the brain of those with Alzheimer’s disease (1). Additionally, caffeine helps reverse oxidative processes aka oxidative stress which causes our brains to age.

Can Regulate Our Carbohydrate Metabolism

One of the common struggles of those with hormone imbalance is decreased insulin sensitivity. Several of the anti-oxidants and other nutrients within matcha help to regulate insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity and inhibiting starch digestion (1).

MAY CONTRIBUTE TO WEIGHT LOSS

Y’all know I have a thing about diets and gimmicks. I’m all for creating the body you want and doing it in a healthy way. So let’s not read this as “matcha will help me lose weight”.

HOWEVER, there was a three-week study done on women with a regular menstrual cycle. And the results show that for those who had a continuous intake of matcha over time there was an increase in fat oxidation (aka fat burning) (3).

What Is Matcha Powder?

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea. Its enhanced qualities are due in part to its growth method. When grown traditionally “the tea bushes are covered using bamboo mats to shade the leaves from excessive direct sunlight” (1).

How Is Matcha Made?

The matcha powder is made by grinding tea leaves into a fine powder. Depending on the brand or type of matcha latte you’re enjoying, you may find other taste & health-enhancing qualities to your powder. Starbuck’s matcha tends to be bit sweeter due to it’s added sugar in the powder as well as the milk it’s served with.

However, you can also basic simple matcha (my favorite), onesmade with coconut milk powder, etc. There are tons of options these days.

Are Matcha And Green Tea The Same?

Yes. Matcha is one of the forms of green tea. However, its growth process attributes to its more popularized benefits.

What’s The Best Matcha Powder?

My personal preference is Pique Tea’s Matcha. You’ll find as you try more matcha powders there’s a quality difference across the board. Some have strange after tastes or are a bit bitter. This one is hands down my favorite and works well with all kinds of sweeteners (monk fruit & maple syrup are my favorite). Bonus points if you pair it with oat milk.

Why Use Matcha With Collagen?

When it comes to caffeine, I’ve found that less is more for my body, my anxiety, and my hormones. However, when I do choose to indulge in my iced matcha latte recipe, I like to add a bit of sweetness. Added collagen powder means I’m getting my daily dose while also adding a bit of protein into the mix which slows the digestion process.

It’s also an easy way to add collagen to your diet. I’ll be doing a blog post on all the benefits of collagen soon so be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter so you don’t miss it. But after 30 our collagen starts deteriorating more rapidly. So adding in a daily source is great for our gut, skin, and joint health.

Is Matcha Better For Anxiety?

From a scientific standpoint, matcha has been recommended as something to help reduce anxiety-like behaviors. Personally, I find it’s significantly more tolerable when do need an energy boost. This definitely comes down to the quality and ingredients within my matcha. But I can feel the anxiety very quickly with coffee. Whereas matcha doesn’t seem to have that same effect.

Matcha Vs Coffee?

Matcha’s caffeine content is almost twice the amount of coffee. And as we noted earlier, caffeine has been shown to have a positive impact on our overall brain health. However, I think this one comes down to a personal call.

It’s also very much contingent on preparation. There are TONS of ways to make coffee. I’ve shared more than a few on the blog over the years. There’s also the option of decaf. So if you’re looking for answers as to what you should consume, go with what works for you. Both have tons of pros & cons.

IS MATCHA BETTER FOR YOUR HORMONES?

Science is still working on this one friends.

MATCHA VS MACA: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Matcha is made from tea leaves and tends to be a bit more bitter. Maca comes from a root and is nuttier. Both are lovely in smoothies. However, I don’t think you’ll be wanting a maca iced latte any time soon. But who knows, maybe it’s the next turmeric latte.

CAN YOU MAKE MATCHA WITHOUT A WHISK?

Absolutely! The traditional Japanese ceremony for making matcha calls for a chasen. Or what we often note as a wooden whisk. Along with helping to blend out the matcha powder, it also helps to add the air & frothiness to your tea.

But for our purposes, specifically an iced matcha latte, I find there’s plenty of ways around it. A blender, blender bottle, or frother will all work just fine.

BEST ELECTRIC WHISK FOR MATCHA

I actually prefer a frother over a whisk as it’s just a bit easier. It also adds the air when you want a hot, foamy latte. However, I tend to reach for my basic hand frother from amazon that’s budget & space friendly for my iced matcha latte recipe.

Iced Matcha Latte Ingredients

matcha powder

ice

hand frother

hot water

almond milk

maple syrup or vanilla syrup

Make Ahead

You could easily prep your iced matcha latte ahead of time. Just be sure to leave out the ice. You’ll also want to blend/stir/shake it before serving as the matcha powder tends to settle at the bottom of the glass.

OTHER DRINK IDEAS:

Iced Vanilla Latte

Iced Mocha Latte

Are you as obsessed with matcha as I am? When you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram and let me know! Words of affirmation are my love language and I love seeing what you babes are making. Until next time. Xoxo, Savvy

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Sources: (1) Kochman, J., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J., Mruk, H., & Janda, K. (2020). Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland),26(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010085

(2) https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428

(3) Willems, M., Fry, H. L., Belding, M. A., & Kaviani, M. (2020). Three Weeks Daily Intake of Matcha Green Tea Powder Affects Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Exercise in Females. Journal of dietary supplements, 1–11. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1811443