Discover the Nutrition & Benefits of Matcha Latte with Oat Milk | Matcha Calories

Introduction to Matcha with Oat Milk

Matcha green tea has become an increasingly popular beverage in recent years, favored for its bright green color, bold flavor, and touted health benefits. Matcha is a powdered form of green tea made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves.

Oat milk has also gained popularity as a plant-based milk alternative. With a creamy, nutty flavor and nutrition profile rich in fiber and plant protein, oat milk makes a tasty and nutritious addition to matcha green tea.

When combined, matcha green tea and oat milk create a delicious, nutritious beverage. But how many calories are in matcha with oat milk? And how does this popular tea latte stack up health-wise? Keep reading to learn more.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a special powdered green tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What makes matcha unique is the way it is grown and processed.

The green tea plants used for matcha are covered for several weeks before harvesting. This shade-growing process increases the chlorophyll content in the leaves, giving matcha its vivid green color.

After harvest, the leaves are steamed, stripped of their stems and veins, and then stone-grounded into a fine powder. The powder is then sifted to remove any remaining fibrous parts.

Unlike regular brewed green tea, where you steep tea leaves in hot water, matcha powder is whisked directly into water. This allows you to consume the entire green tea leaf and get a more concentrated source of nutrients.

Nutrition Profile of Matcha

Matcha is nutritionally dense, packed with antioxidants, polyphenols, amino acids, and vitamins and minerals. Some of matchas top nutrients include:

• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) a powerful antioxidant that may help protect cells from damage.
• L-theanine an amino acid that promotes relaxation.
• Fiber
• Chlorophyll gives matcha its green color and may have cleansing effects.
• Vitamin C
• Potassium, calcium, iron
• Caffeine

Health Benefits of Matcha

Research has linked matcha tea consumption with a variety of health benefits. Matcha may:

• Boost energy levels and increase focus/concentration thanks to caffeine and L-theanine.
• Help protect the liver and kidneys studies show matchas antioxidants may reduce damage and inflammation.
• Support heart health antioxidants may help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Aid in weight loss increases thermogenesis and fat oxidation.
• Improve exercise endurance shown to increase exercise capacity.
• Lower risk of type 2 diabetes may help stabilize blood sugar.

What is Oat Milk?

Oat milk is a plant-based milk alternative made by blending soaked oats with water. It can then be strained to remove the oat pulp, leaving behind a creamy, fiber- and protein-rich liquid.

Compared to other plant milks like almond or soy, oat milk has a pleasantly mild and slightly sweet taste. Its natural creaminess makes it perfect for mixing into hot and cold beverages.

Nutrition Profile of Oat Milk

Oat milk contains many important nutrients, including:

• Fiber helps regulate digestion.
• Protein builds muscle and bones.
• Vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, calcium, and iron.
• Healthy fats
• Antioxidants

Its also naturally low in sugar and has fewer calories than cows milk. Many commercial oat milk brands are enriched with extra vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12.

Benefits of Oat Milk

Drinking oat milk has been associated with the following health advantages:

• Helps control blood sugar and decrease heart disease risk due to its soluble fiber and antioxidant avenanthramides.
• Builds strong bones excellent source of calcium and vitamin D.
• Supports gastrointestinal health fibers feed good gut bacteria.
• Dairy-free alternative suitable for vegans/those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies.
• Eco-friendly requires fewer natural resources to produce than dairy milk.

Nutrition Profile of Matcha with Oat Milk

When you mix matcha powder with oat milk, you get a beverage that combines the nutritional benefits of both ingredients.

One 8 oz serving of matcha latte with oat milk typically contains:

• 25-75 mg caffeine (from matcha)
• 8-10 grams carbohydrates
• 4-10 grams sugar
• 2-5 grams protein
• 5-10% Vitamin A, C, iron, potassium (from oat milk)
• 100-500 mg polyphenols like EGCG (from matcha)
• 2-4 grams fiber (both ingredients)

So you get a nice dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, caffeine, and fiber in one creamy and appetizing drink.

Matcha with Oat Milk Calories

How many calories are in a matcha latte made with oat milk? The exact calories will vary based on the specific ingredients used, but on average, an 8 oz matcha latte with oat milk contains:

• 60-80 calories from 1 tsp matcha powder
• 80-120 calories from 8 oz oat milk
• 20-50 calories from sweetener like honey or sugar

This puts the total around 160-250 calories for an 8 oz serving. Matcha lattes made with dairy milk instead of oat milk have a similar calorie count.

For comparison, a regular cup of brewed green tea has about 2 calories per 8 oz cup. So the addition of milk and sweetener increases the calorie count considerably. But matcha lattes provide more nutrients and antioxidants versus plain green tea.

To make your matcha latte healthier, use unsweetened oat milk and minimize added sweeteners. You can also request less concentrated matcha powder to reduce calories.

Boosting the Nutrition

There are easy ways to make your matcha latte with oat milk even more nutritious:

• Add a scoop of protein powder for extra protein.
• Mix in cinnamon for antioxidants.
• Include fresh turmeric or ginger for anti-inflammatory effects.
• Blend in your favorite superfood like maca, cacao, chlorella, or spirulina.
• Top with nutritious seeds or nuts like chia, hemp, walnuts.

Experiment to create a matcha latte that tastes great while optimizing your nutrient intake.

Preparing Matcha with Oat Milk

It only takes a few simple steps to whip up matcha green tea latte with creamy oat milk:

1. Sift 1-2 tsp matcha powder into a cup or bowl to remove any clumps.
2. Add 2-3 ounces of hot water and whisk vigorously until the matcha dissolves into a smooth paste.
3. Heat 8-12 oz of oat milk until hot but not boiling.
4. Add the hot oat milk to the matcha paste and stir to combine.
5. For added flavor, mix in preferred sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or vanilla.
6. Froth the matcha latte with a milk frother or simply shake or blend vigorously.
7. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

For best results, opt for a high-quality ceremonial grade matcha powder. And choose unsweetened oat milk or adjust sweetener to your taste preference.

You can also prepare larger batches of matcha concentrate or oat milk to save time. Store any leftovers in the fridge and heat up as needed for a quick matcha latte anytime.

Matcha Latte Variations

One of the great things about matcha lattes is how versatile they are. You can customize your matcha with oat milk latte in lots of ways:

• Iced matcha latte - Let hot matcha mixture cool, then pour over ice.
• Dirty matcha - Add a shot of espresso for an extra caffeine boost.
• Matcha boba - Add tapioca pearls or popping boba.
• Matcha smoothie - Blend with fruit, yogurt, juice.
• Matchaccino - Substitute warmed cow's milk for oat milk.
• Golden milk matcha - Include spices like turmeric, cinnamon, ginger.

Mix and match flavors to make your perfect custom matcha green tea latte creation.

Health Benefits of Matcha with Oat Milk

Enjoying matcha green tea with oat milk offers many potential wellness advantages:

1. Boosts Antioxidants

Both matcha and oat milk contain antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals and prevent cell damage. Matcha is especially high in potent catechins like EGCG.

2. Provides Prebiotics

The fiber in oat milk acts as a prebiotic to feed healthy gut bacteria. This supports digestion and immunity.

3. Promotes Heart Health

Research shows the catechins in matcha and nutrients in oat milk may improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure and heart disease risk.

4. Contains Bone-Building Nutrients

Matcha and enriched oat milk provide calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and other minerals essential for building and maintaining strong bones.

5. Boosts Focus and Energy

The amino acid L-theanine in matcha combined with the natural caffeine provide sustained energy, alertness and concentration without jitters.

6. Helps Control Blood Sugar

Compared to other milks, oat milk has less sugar and carbs. The fiber helps slow glucose absorption to avoid unhealthy blood sugar spikes.

Risks and Side Effects

Enjoying an occasional matcha latte with oat milk is generally quite safe for most people. However, there are some possible side effects and risks to keep in mind:

• Caffeine - Matcha contains caffeine that may cause anxiety, insomnia, irritability in sensitive individuals.
• Contaminants - Matcha grown in polluted conditions may contain heavy metals like lead and aluminum.
• Bloating - Some find oat milk causes digestive upset due to insoluble fibers.
• Allergies - Oats contain gluten and may not suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
• Sugar content - Added sweeteners increase calorie, carb, and sugar intake.

To avoid issues, moderate your intake of matcha, choose high-quality organic matcha powder, and opt for unsweetened oat milk. Those with sensitivity issues or on special diets should consult their doctor before drinking matcha lattes.

Matcha vs. Green Tea

As mentioned, matcha and regular brewed green tea come from the same plant species. But there are some key differences:

Color

Matcha is a vivid green while standard green tea is typically pale green or yellowish in color after brewing. Matcha powder retains its color since you consume the whole leaf.

Taste

Matcha has a richer, deeper, more vegetal taste compared to the lighter, more delicate flavor of green tea. The umami flavor is also more pronounced.

Caffeine Content

Matcha contains more caffeine than green tea about 35-70 mg per 8 oz cup compared to 25-50 mg.

Preparation

Matcha powder is whisked directly into water while loose tea leaves are steeped then strained out.

Nutrition

Since you ingest the whole tea leaf, matcha provides higher concentrations of nutrients, polyphenols, and antioxidants than brewed green tea.

Both are healthy options that provide hydration and nutrients. But matcha lattes made with oat milk offer a creamy, flavorful alternative to energize your day.

FAQs

Is matcha with oat milk healthy?

Yes, matcha latte with oat milk can be a very healthy beverage choice. Matcha provides antioxidants like EGCG and L-theanine. Oat milk offers protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. So together they make a nutritious drink.

Is matcha with oat milk good for weight loss?

Matcha may support weight loss in several ways - by boosting metabolism, burning calories, reducing fat cell formation, and suppressing appetite. Swapping high-calorie creamers for low-calorie, nutrient-rich oat milk can help decrease calorie intake to aid weight loss.

Does matcha with oat milk have protein?

Yes, oat milk provides 2-5 grams of plant-based protein per serving. Matcha green tea powder also contains a small amount of amino acids that contribute additional protein.

Is matcha with oat milk vegan?

Yes, since both matcha powder and oat milk are plant-based without any animal products, matcha lattes made with oat milk are completely vegan friendly.

Is matcha with oat milk gluten-free?

Matcha powder is gluten-free. But oat milk does naturally contain gluten. Opt for certified gluten-free oat milk to make matcha oat milk lattes gluten-free.

People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should exercise caution with oat milk due to cross-contamination risks.

Conclusion

Combining energizing matcha green tea powder with creamy oat milk makes for a versatile and nutritious beverage. Matcha oat milk lattes supply antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fiber and more.

A standard 8 oz serving clocks in at around 160-250 calories. Opting for unsweetened oat milk and avoiding added sugars can reduce the calorie count.

Matcha and oat milk also offers health benefits ranging from increased metabolism and focus to protection for your heart and bones. Both ingredients are plant-based, making matcha lattes both nutritious and vegan.

Mix up a matcha latte with oat milk to start your day with a boost of sustaining energy and wellness support.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.