How to Make Iced Matcha at Home (and Keep It Cold On the Go)

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What’s the deal with matcha?

What is matcha and why is it so popular right now? This beautiful bright green drink is a type of tea that's making waves thanks to its reputation as a wellness drink and its aesthetic appeal. Let's look at matcha in a bit more detail, plus how to make iced matcha at home.

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially shade-grown green tea leaves. The farmers cover their tea plants with shade cloths for three to four weeks before harvest. This shading increases the chlorophyll and amino acids in the leaves, giving them their vibrant green colour. The leaves are then steamed and dried, and ground into a very fine powder.

Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the same plant used to make regular green tea. But unlike ordinary green tea, where the leaves are steeped and then discarded, matcha is consumed whole, meaning you get all the nutrients of the leaves with each sip.

Matcha tea has become synonymous with clean, calm energy. It contains caffeine and an amino acid known as L-theanine, and many people find this combination gives them focus and alertness without the jitters you can get from drinking coffee. Matcha leaves are also high in antioxidants. With its natural energy-boosting reputation, it's no wonder that the modern wellness movement has embraced matcha as the drink of choice.

And we can't talk about matcha without discussing its social media appeal; matcha-lovers proudly display their photogenic green drinks on TikTok and Instagram, and the likes roll in.

While matcha is rooted in traditional Japanese tea culture, it's recently started influencing modern café culture around the globe. Cafés are offering matcha-based lattes, smoothies and desserts, making it more accessible to those wanting to try it out. Iced matcha has become increasingly popular, and it's surprisingly easy to make it yourself.

Choosing the Right Matcha for Homemade Recipes

Making the perfect iced matcha at home starts with selecting the right matcha powder. Look for the following properties to ensure that you’re getting quality matcha:

• Colour: Look for the bright green that comes from shade-grown, chlorophyll-rich leaves. Avoid dull or yellowish powders.
• Texture: High-grade matcha feels silky and smooth, like talcum powder. Avoid coarse or grainy powders, which are lower quality.
• Taste and aroma: Fresh matcha smells sweet and slightly grassy, and will have a smooth flavour that’s not too bitter.
• Origin: Authentic matcha traditionally comes from Japan; it may have been grown in the Uji Kyoto, Nishio or Shizuoka regions. 

There are also different grades of matcha powder to be aware of:

• Ceremonial grade: Made from the youngest leaves, has a delicate flavour. Ideal for ceremonial use, whisked with hot water.
• Latte or premium grade: Bold and balanced, mixes nicely with different milks without losing its distinct flavour. If you’re wondering how to make iced matcha at home, premium grade powder is ideal.
• Culinary grade: Tends to be more bitter, used in baking or smoothies (where the other ingredients will balance the matcha flavour).

Recipe: How to Make Iced Matcha at Home

Here's what you'll need to make your iced matcha at home. This makes one drink, sized for a 500ml cup. For a 340ml cup, halve the quantities.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 teaspoons (2-4 grams) high-quality latte/premium grade matcha powder
• 2-4 tablespoons warm water (around 70-80°C; don’t use boiling water, it will scorch the matcha and make it bitter)
• 1 cup (about 240ml) cold dairy or plant-based milk
• 1 teaspoon sweetener like honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Handful of ice cubes
  

Equipment:

• Small sifter
• Small bowl
• Bamboo matcha whisk (chasen)

Instructions:

1. Sift: Place the sifter over a bowl or cup. Sift the matcha powder through it to prevent any lumps.
2. Whisk: Pour the warm water over the sifted powder. Using the whisk, mix vigorously in a zigzag motion, until the mixture is completely smooth and frothy. (Note: If you don’t have a matcha whisk, you can use a handheld electric milk frother instead.)  
3. Sweeten: Stir the honey or maple syrup directly into the warm matcha mix, until it dissolves.
4. Assemble: Fill a tall glass or cup with ice cubes and pour in the milk.
5. Combine: Pour the matcha mix over the milk and ice, stir well and enjoy!

Keeping Iced Matcha Cold On the Move with Chilly’s

Melted ice will make your matcha runny and separated, and if you leave it long enough it will also lose its chill. So how do you keep your painstakingly prepared iced matcha cold for longer? Chilly’s has the solution. 

Our insulated travel cups are perfect for keeping your cold drink fresh and chilled. Even on hot, sunny days, your drink will remain cool, keeping your matcha cold and tasting smooth.

Browse our selection of travel cups:

• Original Cup: Features a leak-proof flip open lock lid; available in 340ml or 500ml.
• Series 2 Cup: Features double-walled insulation and a twist-close lid; available in 340ml or 500ml.
• Series 2 Switch Cup: The 2-in-1 switch cup features both cup mode and straw mode elements; the straw design is perfect for sipping your iced matcha throughout the day. Available in 500ml or 750ml.

Keep your Chilly’s cup at the ready next time you’re making iced matcha at home, and enjoy a fresh, chilled drink on the move, wherever the day takes you.