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.
01Start herePaper bagsTazo Classic Chai Black Tea
The blend that built the American chai latte. Brew double-strength, add steamed milk, walk away.
02The matcha lattePowdersAiya Cooking Grade Matcha Powder
Latte grade that stands up to milk without vanishing. The matcha-latte starter.
03Caffeine-free lattePaper bagsNumi Organic Rooibos Chai
All the chai spice over steamed milk, none of the buzz. An evening latte that won't keep you up.
04Sleeper pickLoose leafIppodo Kuradashi Hojicha — 80g Bag
Roasted green makes a caramel-toned hojicha latte. Low caffeine, big comfort.
05The toolAccessoriesBodum 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.