I’ll start with a brief review of the recipe for Matcha Orange Cardamon Latte:

I was not a fan, as Piers often says when he doesn’t like something. Still, I feel obliged to offer my dear readers a caveat. Shockers, but I didn’t follow the recipe to a tee, so I’ll have to give it another go.

The recipe is from Wanderlust and the ingredients listed were as follows with my substitutions in parentheses:

Ingredients

1 cup filtered water

1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder

3 cups full-fat coconut milk (I used a can of full fat CM and the remaining 2 cups were Silk brand from my local grocery)

1 tsp orange extract (I used lemon extract)

1 tsp ground cardamom, plus more for garnish

3 tbsp monk fruit powder, coconut palm sugar, or lakanto sweetner (I used coconut sugar)

1/2 teaspoon ground pink peppercorns, plus more for garnish (I don’t even know what these are, so I used mixed peppercorns from my pantry — this might be where the drink took a turn to the dark side...)

Instructions

Heat water in kettle or small saucepan until it boils.

In medium bowl, add 1/4 cup of hot water to the matcha powder.

Using matcha brush or whisk (I used a whisk since I have no clue what a matcha brush is), mix to create a smooth paste, making sure there are no clumps.

In a small pot heat the coconut milk until it simmers.

Pour coconut milk and remaining hot water into the bowl with the matcha paste.

Add the orange extract (again I used lemon — how different can it be, right?), cardamom, sweetner of choice (coconut sugar in my case), and pepper.

Transfer to a blender (mine’s broken so I went with the hand mixer), and blend on high for 15 seconds until frothy.

Pour into mugs and garnish with a pinch each of cardamom and pepper.

 

Here’s the link to the full recipe:

https://wanderlust.com/journal/recipe-vegan-matcha-lattes/

******

I don’t typically give bad reviews. If I don’t like something, I prefer to keep it to myself unless I’m asked — then you’ll get full-on honestly, BUT since I hadn’t tried this yet, I DID want to follow up.

I have no doubt that if the cute, kind-eyed chef made this for me, I would drink it with no qualms. I’d probably enjoy it.

I like vegan fare. I like matcha even though the flavor can be bitter and strong.

I just found this recipe a bit involved for a small cup of a warm beverage, and I wasn’t thrilled with the flavor or texture.

I need simplicity, and if the recipe is more involved than what I typically prepare, I have high expectations.

It’s still worth a try, especially if you’re a novice barista or bartender and enjoy multi-step beverages. I’d love to know your thoughts.

Summer is busy, but I plan to follow up with more writing soon. Hope you all have a lovely week!