Pleasures · Lattes
Tea for Lattes
Brewed strong enough to survive the milk.
The short answer
For tea lattes, brew the tea double-strength so it survives the milk. Tazo Classic Chai is the benchmark masala latte; for matcha lattes use a cooking grade like Aiya, not ceremonial. A cheap handheld frother does the foam — no espresso machine required.
The trick to a tea latte is strength: more leaf, same water, so the flavor cuts through the milk. Here's what to brew, plus the tool that foams it.
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01 Start here Paper bagsTazo Classic Chai Black Tea
The blend that built the American chai latte. Brew double-strength, add steamed milk, walk away.
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02 The matcha latte PowdersAiya Cooking Grade Matcha Powder
Latte grade that stands up to milk without vanishing. The matcha-latte starter.
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03 Caffeine-free latte Paper bagsNumi Organic Rooibos Chai
All the chai spice over steamed milk, none of the buzz. An evening latte that won't keep you up.
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04 Sleeper pick Loose leafIppodo Kuradashi Hojicha — 80g Bag
Roasted green makes a caramel-toned hojicha latte. Low caffeine, big comfort.
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05 The tool AccessoriesBodum Bistro Battery-Powered Milk Frother
Two AAs, fifteen seconds, a head of foam. The latte tool that doesn't need an espresso machine.
House rule
We rank what we'd actually pour. The order is ours; the order you buy in is yours.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How do you make a tea latte at home? +
Brew the tea at double strength (more leaf, same water) so the flavor cuts through the milk, then add an equal part of steamed or frothed milk. A handheld battery frother handles the foam without an espresso machine.
Which matcha is best for lattes? +
Use culinary or cooking-grade matcha for lattes. It's built to hold its flavor through milk and heat — drinking-grade ceremonial matcha loses its nuance under steamed milk and costs more for no benefit.
Can you make a caffeine-free tea latte? +
Yes — rooibos chai is the best caffeine-free option. It brings the full chai spice profile over steamed milk with no caffeine, so it works as an evening latte.