A Soft and Comforting Dalgona Matcha Latte
Inspired by the once-viral Dalgona coffee, this whipped matcha latte offers a calmer, tea-forward interpretation. Light, airy matcha foam gently resting on a glass of hot or cold milk creates a drink that feels both comforting and playful—without being overly sweet or heavy.
It’s easy to make at home, requires only a few ingredients, and adds a subtle change of pace to your everyday matcha routine.
From Dalgona Coffee to Dalgona Matcha
Dalgona coffee became widely popular during the COVID-19 quarantine period, largely because of its simplicity. With just instant coffee, sugar, and water, people were able to whip up a thick, fluffy topping using what they already had at home.
Naturally, we wondered what would happen if matcha took the place of coffee.
Through testing, we learned that matcha behaves very differently. Simply swapping instant coffee for matcha powder does not produce the same fluffy texture. Matcha lacks the properties needed to trap air when whipped with just sugar and water.
To achieve a similar light, airy consistency, additional ingredients are required.
What Is Dalgona Matcha?
Dalgona matcha is a whipped matcha topping served over milk, inspired by Dalgona coffee—but adapted to suit matcha’s unique characteristics.
Instead of water and sugar alone, the whipped layer relies on ingredients such as:
-
Heavy cream
-
Egg whites
-
Or aquafaba (the liquid from chickpeas), for a vegan option
For this recipe, we chose to use heavy cream. It creates a foam that is light yet rich, stable, and significantly easier to prepare than egg whites or aquafaba—making it better suited for everyday home use.
Ingredients and Tools
This version of Dalgona matcha requires just five ingredients:
-
Heavy whipping cream
-
Matcha powder
-
Milk
-
Sugar
-
A small amount of vanilla extract
To achieve the right texture, we strongly recommend using an electric mixer or battery-operated frother. Whipping matcha by hand to the correct consistency takes considerable time and effort, and results can vary.
Choosing the Right Matcha
For whipped matcha drinks, we recommend using a culinary grade matcha.
Culinary blends have a more pronounced bittersweet profile, which holds up well against the sweetness of milk and sugar. Using a delicate ceremonial grade matcha here isn’t necessary, as its subtler notes would be overshadowed.
A vibrant, well-balanced culinary matcha ensures that the matcha flavor remains present even after whipping.
Dalgona Whipped Matcha Latte Recipe
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
-
2 oz / 60 ml heavy whipping cream
-
2 tsp sugar
-
2 tsp matcha powder
-
½ tsp vanilla extract
-
Milk (hot or cold)
-
Ice cubes (if serving cold)
Method
-
In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.
-
Whisk for several minutes until the cream begins to thicken and soft ribbons form.
-
Gradually add the matcha powder and continue whisking until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and holds its shape.
-
Pour milk into a glass (add ice if desired).
-
Spoon the whipped matcha gently over the milk and serve immediately.
