Iced Green Tea Latte

For any business to succeed, perhaps the most important factor is to identify the customer’s demands and capitalise on them. Coffee giant Starbucks has triumphantly led the way in terms of capturing the pulse of the nation, and in the case of Green Tea Latte, the story is no different.

Green Tea Latte is a result of the global obsession with the miracle powder matcha. As the West stirred in a teaspoon of macha in every possible beverage, Starbucks spotted an opportunity to create a drink that would appeal both to health freaks and novices.

Moss green and foamy, Green Tea Latte could easily be mistaken for a coriander or pea soup. But making it is arguably less complicated than a pea soup. All one needs to do is stir in matcha powder and powdered sugar in a cup of milk, and then pour the blend into a glass of crushed ice.

While matcha is a healthier alternative to coffee, the addition of sugar and milk certainly lowers the nutritional value of the drink. In order to make a healthier version of the drink, skimmed milk can be used instead of full-fat milk. It can also be made with other lactose-free milk like soy, coconut or almond milk. Since this drink is easily recreated in homes, there are innumerable variations of this drink, made with honey, maple syrup or even a dash of cinnamon powder.

Despite the bad press around Green Tea Lattes feeding into a health fad, it's rumoured to be a safer drink for people with high blood pressure and cholesterol than chugging cups of coffee or black tea. Curiously, the flavour combination has also made a mark in the world of frozen desserts, with Baskin Robbins also launching a Matcha Latte ice cream.