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Looking to mix up your morning routine of caffeine with something just as little different? Try replacing your usual cup of Joe with an added antioxidant boost! According to a 2016 article written in Cosmopolitan, it was noted that a single cup of matcha has more antioxidants than a cup of coffee–remember, antioxidants are those chemical compounds that inhibit oxidation in the body, i.e., the aging process, due to damaging free radicals. The story also writes a cup of matcha has as many antioxidants as those found in 10 cups of brewed green tea. Interestingly, EGCg, a specific type of catechin (or class of antioxidants) only found in green tea, is believed to kill cancer cells and inhibit their progressive nature in the body. Now, as a cancer survivor myself, I say let’s get that matcha started!

Matcha also has other health benefits as shared by Dr. Partha Nandi, a Detroit-based gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician, in his online presence at AskDrNandi.com. Summed up from his article “Why You Should Drink Matcha Green Tea” (and including some information from online consumer and commercial retailer Matcha Source) matcha is able to:

Lower blood sugar and cholesterol
Decrease incidence of depression
Boost your metabolism so you can burn more calories
Increase focus and relaxation with the amino acid L-Theanine
Provide anti-inflammation fighting vitamins
Support good bacteria in your gut
Help detox your body of chemicals and heavy metals

If you’ve found yourself becoming a connoisseur of this age-old drink, originating in Japan in the late 12th century, Matcha Source has all you need to properly show off your matcha-making skills. There you can find great gift items for friends and family who are enjoying the benefits of matcha. And, not only do they have plenty of information on this superfood, but they provide many grades of matcha. Who knew this could come in so many varieties, but then again, you probably knew that by looking at how matcha can vary in price! It isn’t uncommon for matcha powder to be sold for up to $30 an ounce in its organic form. And if you’re asking why this stoneground powder is so pricey, it’s all in the careful cultivation and labor-intensive process–done all by hand–that makes matcha the highly sought-after commodity that it is.

If you get a chance to make this, please leave your comments below or share a photo of it in a tag on Instagram or Pinterest with Ketolicious Eats. As always, I appreciate your support as I provide this site nearly ad free!

Dairy-Free Matcha Latte

0 from 0 votes

Recipe by J. Irish, Ketolicious Eats Course: Breakfast beverageDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

102

kcal

Enjoy the benefits of green tea in this matcha latte with anti-inflammatory cinnamon and nutmeg, without dairy or sugar!

Macros: 2g protein | 2.2g net carbs | 7.1g fat

Ingredients

2 tbsp 2 boiling filtered water
2 tsp 2 organic pure matcha powder — I use Sencha Matcha powder, made in Japan, and found at Costco
1 packet 1 Stevita sweetener, which contains 100% organic stevia or a blend of stevia with erythritol or xylitol, depending on the packaging. Paleo-friendly sweeteners may also be used.
3 – 4 shakes 3 – 4 of a blend of 1/2 cinnamon powder and 1/2 erythritol (I keep this stored in a spice jar just for making matcha lattes)
3 – 4 shakes 3 – 4 nutmeg powder
14 ounces 14 unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk (or a blend or unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond and coconut milk) — I use a combination of Trader Joe’s Simply Almond Beverage (only two ingredients) and Califia Farms brand vanilla-flavored almond milk

Directions

Pour two tablespoons of boiling hot water into a large mug, and add two tablespoons of organic matcha powder. The boiling water will dissolve the matcha, but you still may have to stir some of the lumps out.
Add three to four shakes each of nutmeg powder and cinnamon, in addition to one packet of Stevita, (remember, Stevia is sweeter than erythritol alone), and carefully swish this around in your mug.
Simmer 14 oz of vanilla-flavored almond or coconut milk, or zap it in the microwave for 2.25 minutes, and pour it into your mug. You may need to mix the water and almond/coconut milk mixture. (Note: To get more of a frothy milk texture, quickly whisk the milk alternative while it’s being simmered in a small pan or shake it in a covered bottle prior to microwaving. But remember, to remove the bottle top prior to microwaving.)
Adjust the amount of nutmeg, cinnamon, and any added erythritol (optional) to your liking, if needed, and enjoy!

Notes

Note: The cleanest milk alternatives contain two ingredients only (water and almonds, or water and some other nut milk such as coconut). These may not taste the same as other substitutes that are typically purchased in a carton, which use additives to thicken and/or emulsify the original ingredients, such as locust bean gum and gellan gum. These additives may not bother most, but they may not be the best choice for anyone with highly sensitive digestive issues.