burnt honey matcha latte
sorry, i didn’t mean to gatekeep this recipe for so long.
Time: <5 minutes (15 minutes if making burnt honey)
Servings: 1
Ingredients
for latte:
1 tsp matcha powder
1 tsp burnt honey
pinch of cardamom
pinch of cinnamon (optional)
2 tbsp water, warm
¾ cup oat milk, warmed or frothed
¼-½ tsp vanilla extract (depending on the quality of your extract)
for burnt honey:
¼ cup honey
1 tbsp water
Recipe:
1. In a cup or mug, add near-boiling water (80 deg C/ 175 deg F).
Do not add boiling water. Boiling water (100 deg C/ 212 deg F) scorches the matcha, altering its taste.
In order to cool water to near boiling (i.e., cool it down ~20 deg C), you can try one of two techniques: #1) add 1 tsp of cold water to the 2 tbsp boiling water OR #2) add 2 tbsp boiling water into a separate second cup, then transfer this second cup into your drinking cup. The science behind technique #2? Each time you transfer the water into a new cup, the water cools down ~10 deg C.
2. Add matcha powder, burnt honey, cardamom, and cinnamon to the cup. Whisk until very frothy.
To make burnt honey: In a small, heavy-bottomed pot, add ¼-⅓ cup honey (however much it takes to cover the bottom of your pot). Heat on medium-low, bringing honey to simmer (~5-10 minutes). Once honey is simmering, every couple minutes or so, move the pot in a circular motion to swirl the honey. Honey should begin to sputter and bubble. Once you see smoke arise from the honey, add 1 tbsp water. The honey will expand–it might look a little scary, but just swirl the pot. Turn off the heat, but leave it on the warm burner until ready to glaze.
The burnt honey will thicken and “candy” as it cools. If it becomes too viscous, gently reheat on low until it liquifies.
If you are using burnt honey that you made ahead of time, reheat in microwave for 10-15 seconds. The heat will thin the honey out, and make it easier to portion out and dissolve.
3. Add vanilla extract to milk. Warm or froth milk. Then add warmed or frothed oat milk to the cup.
If you don’t have a frother, warm milk (preferably in a small pitcher with a spout) for about 1 minute in the microwave and then pour milk into mug from ~6-12 inches above mug. The higher the pour, the frothier it will get. It might get a little messy, but it is quite the show.
Voila—caffeine!
Want to enjoy this drink iced? See try experimenting with.
Non-negotiables:
Burnt honey – Burnt honey is in the title; yes, it’s non-negotiable. Otherwise, it would just like another other “honey matcha latte” recipe.
Cinnamon – The original inspiration from this drink came from my favorite LA coffee roaster, Groundworks’, beehive matcha latte. I was skeptical of cinnamon in my matcha too. But trust me, it adds a warmth that complements matcha’s grassy bitterness.
Try experimenting with:
Alternative milk - I prefer oat milk because it is one of the most neutral tasting alternative milks. Many alternative milks have their own flavor that will change the overall profile of this latte. Almond, cashew, and coconut milk will add a nuttiness. Soy milk will add beany flavor. I would advise to try the drink with oat milk first, but by all means, if some barista blend flax seed milk is all you have on hand, be my guest.
Leftover burnt honey –, I know this recipe makes much, much more burnt honey that you will need for one latte. Store the burnt honey in an air-tight container, and reheat in the microwave for 15 seconds to melt down into a less viscous consistency. Put a tsp in your tea or coffee. Drizzle on top of your toast, on your apple, or on YOUR SILLY LITTLE SWEET POTATO. What about your celery and almond butter? Or set aside an evening and the following and make THE BABKA.
Iced! – Follow steps #1 and #2. Then add ¼ cup of ice. Pour cold oat milk on top. Stir.
Food styling tips:
Set the scene, tell a story, assert the brand. Show me how you enjoy your morning latte. With a memoir and the morning crossword? (You indulge in a slow life.) Answering emails and logging onto Slack? (OK, girlboss.) Doubling the recipe and treating your partner in bed to a cup as well? (We get it. You’re domestic and happy.) Taking sips between getting dressed, putting away dishes from last night, and speeding out the door without your keys? (We are the same.)
The frothed milk is your tabula rasa, your blank canvas. Now, paint an abstract scene. Dust extra cinnamon and cardamom over the frothed milk. Drizzle extra burnt honey.
Everyone glamorizes the idea of being a barista, and everyone also knows it is terribly busy and soul-crushing work. But for just this moment, romanticize your oh-so-endearing crush on the customer who comes in at 7:15am with unruly hair, and attempt to impress them with your latte art skills. I dare you to make a heart with frothed milk to declare your love. Now, wake up from your dream and drink up. You are your own girl crush. <3
Recipe development notes:
I normally develop in tests, but countless test went into this recipe–that narrativizing its development makes more sense in phases.
Phase #1 – When I was home over winter break, I visited my favorite LA Coffee Roaster, Groundworks, and I tried their beehive matcha. Their iced beehive matcha boasts almond milk, warm spices, and honey. I was intrigued by the idea of warm spices. Upon first sip, I was stunned that the honey was able to marry the the warmth and grassiness so well.
I stayed an extra week at home in January since the first week of school was virtual. Doing school in California on EST entailed waking up at 4:45am PST for 8am EST required class–not cute. But I tried to treat myself each morning to a special drink to brighten up my morning. I ended up drinking a cinnamon burnt honey matcha every morning for that week
Phase #2 – I arrived back in NYC in a terrible funk in January. I did not want to leave the 80 deg weather and the spacious comforts of home for a dreary, New York, peak-Omicron. When I arrived back, friends (who met last year) were asking all about my babka and matcha. Their enthusiasm made me want to share the treats with them because that’s really all I aim to do: share food with you. They ultimately convinced me to develop both. While genuine compliments from internet strangers make my day-to-day, my friends’ approbation gives me more lasting confidence. Through my new friends in NYC, I’ve been able to find a new groove in NYC. Friends who I started to form connections with last fall and now with whom I’m deepening my relationships.
Before I treated my friends to the final latte recipe, I made the matcha for myself repeatedly on school mornings, attempting to tweak it to my own morning routine. I added cardamom, which enhanced the warmth. I tried it iced. I added a shot of espresso one morning–not good LOL.
Phase #3 – With some slices of cake, I hosted two of my friends in my room for matcha. We sat on my rug, talking about relationships and friendships for four hours.
If you decide to test this latte, please tag me @everythingalexcooks,
(and I mean actually tag me, the new IG update doesn’t notify me when I simply get mentioned in a caption).
I want to see your creations and hear your thoughts!
