5 Milk Substitutes for the Perfect Latte

Choosing the best milk for Matcha, including non-dairy milk alternatives

6 Min Read

6 Min Read

We got a lot of questions about the best kind of milk for Matcha.


So, we tried out 5 famous milk options for you!


If you're a Matcha connoisseur, you might have already tried different kinds of milk to create that perfect Matcha Latte.


Not a Matcha expert? Don't worry, we have shortlisted a few of the popular milk brands you can try.  


While we have different preferences, may it be in taste or dietary restrictions, perhaps there'll be something noteworthy for you here.

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What makes milk good in Matcha?

For each milk option in this guide, we'll tell you how the milk affects your Matcha in 3 criteria: texture, flavour, and health.


Also, because most of us don’t have a barista’s steam wand at home, we’ll be testing to see if the milk froths well using an electric milk frother!

1. Alpro Almond Barista Milk

Almond milk is probably one of the most popular plant-based milk.


It has a pleasant, nutty flavour and a creamy texture similar to regular milk.


That's why it's a popular choice for vegans and those who are allergic or intolerant to dairy.


How does almond milk feel like in Matcha?


We found it to be the least creamy milk! With a watery, runny consistency.


Definitely as the thinnest milk out of the 5, it requires the most amount of air to create good milk foam. However, as almond milk has significantly low fat content – it is relatively stable when foaming at higher temperatures. Still not bad if you prefer topping your Matcha latte with a light, foamy layer.


What does almond milk taste like in Matcha?


The almonds give this almond milk latte strong nutty roasted notes.


If you’re looking for a more balanced taste, you might not like the flavour as it tends to overpower the grassy taste of matcha! 


Is almond milk healthy?


Alpro Almond Matcha Milk Latte is actually quite healthy!


It has an extremely low sugar content, and because it's made from almonds, it's a great source of healthy fats. It’s not too heavy too, so it’s great to perk you up in the morning. Altogether, you’d probably have to be a fan of almonds to like this one!

2. Alpro Coconut (No Sugars) Milk

Coconut milk comes from the white flesh of mature brown coconuts.


It should not be confused with coconut water, which is found naturally in immature green coconuts.


Coconut milk does not occur naturally. Solid coconut flesh is mixed with water to make coconut milk, which is about 50% water.


How does coconut milk feel like in Matcha?


The coconut milk latte has a diluted mouthfeel and a runny melted yoghurt texture.


Unlike almond milk, it is opaque throughout. The coconut milk also curdles when it heats up, so be careful! It might be best to use it for iced Matcha lattes. Because of the thin milk texture, it does not foam as well!


What does coconut milk taste like in Matcha?


Coconut matcha milk latte has a subtle tropical flavour from the watered-down coconut cream. It would probably appeal more to those looking for a refreshing spin on matcha latte!


Is coconut milk healthy?


While coconut flavoured tea might not be up your alley, it is still a good dairy alternative to fresh milk latte - lactose free and light on calories!

3. Bonsoy Organic Soy Milk

Soy milk is made from soybeans and filtered water.


As many are looking for a plant-based beverage, soy milk has now become a well-known dairy milk replacement.


How does soy milk feel like in Matcha?


Soy milk falls behind coconut being slightly less creamy.


However, here’s a fun fact: Bonsoy is one of the rare soy milk brands that can produce a silky-smooth milk foam for lattes. This foams just so well! Yay!


What does soy milk taste like in Matcha?


Bonsoy is popular because it tastes very similar to dairy milk, and almost foams just as well.


Bonsoy’s soybeans are cooked in a special equipment that removes the distinct bean flavour. Because of that, you won’t have to worry too much about soybean flavour overwhelming matcha, as you enjoy a subtle roasted flavour. There’s also a hint of vanilla peeking through the mild sweetness from the natural soybeans!


We tried soy milk from other brands, but they taste different – they have a much stronger soy taste that can be overpowering.


Is soy milk healthy?


The soybeans used by Bonsoy are extracted from non-genetically modified soybeans. It makes for a very nutritious natural soy milk latte without their vitamins stripped, and providing much higher protein content than almonds!

4. Oatly Barista Milk

Joining the ranks of almond and soy, oat milk is the latest trendy plant-based milk.


It is made by soaking and blending steel-cut or rolled oats with water and then straining out the liquid which comes out as milk.


How does oat milk feel like in Matcha?


Oatly’s Barista Edition Oat Milk is the thickest milk out of all 5, with a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel for a plant-based milk.


While some oat milks can taste a little slimy, this doesn’t have any of that - which makes it super smooth for drinking. What’s more – the milk froths nicely, perfect for non-baristas or baristas alike! In fact, it behaves almost like cow’s milk.


What does oat milk taste like in Matcha?


Oatly’s Barista Edition Oat Milk has a distinct cooked oatmeal aftertaste. 


Some might describe it as granola due to the sweetness, almost comparable with soy milk. A tinge of flax seeds can also be tasted from sip to sip.


Because the oat flavour can sometimes overwhelm the earthy taste of matcha, don’t use too much oat milk when you make a latte!


Is oat milk healthy?


Compared to other types of milk, oat milk generally has more carbohydrates as it's made from oats! It also falls behind in protein content compared to soy and dairy milk. But on the good side, it is rich in soluble fibre, great for digestion.

5. Meiji Fresh Milk

Last but not least, we’re back to dairy.


Here, we have Fresh Milk from Meiji!


How does fresh milk feel like in Matcha?


This brand of milk is used widely in many types of lattes. It also froths into the thickest, creamiest milk foam as it is full fat milk.


What does fresh milk taste like in Matcha?


Meiji fresh milk has a clean, pleasant and mostly neutral taste. Richness of the fresh milk pairs beautifully with full-bodied umami taste of Matcha.


It is also the sweetest milk out of the five. Definitely a go-to if you have a sweet tooth!


Is fresh milk healthy?


While it is heavier in carbohydrates out of the 5 milks, fresh milk does contain a whole a bunch of key nutrients like calcium –great for bone health.


However, because dairy milk isn’t that great for the environment due to the higher carbon footprint, do mix it up with some plant-based milks from time to time!

To sum it up, each milk does have its own strengths and weaknesses based on the 3 criteria.


If you’re going with dairy milk, you can’t go wrong with Meiji Fresh Milk!

If you want a non-dairy milk, try soy milk (Bonsoy) or oat milk (Oatly Barista Edition).


Now you know how to create a perfect cup of Matcha latte with the milk of your choice!  Wanna know which Matcha is best for you? Take the quiz below!

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