Hi, Anne from “Beyond The Bayou Blog“! It’s great to hear you’re sharing a Matcha Frappuccino Recipe today.

I was a big fan of matcha frappuccinos from my favorite coffee shop. One day, I got curious and decided to try making one at home. I gathered some ice, milk, matcha powder, and a bit of sugar. Excitedly, I blended them all together until they were smooth and creamy.

Pouring my homemade matcha frappuccino into a glass, I couldn’t wait to taste it. With the first sip, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was! From then on, I started making matcha frappuccinos at home whenever I craved a refreshing treat. I even experimented with different variations, like adding chocolate chips or strawberry puree for extra flavor.

My homemade matcha frappuccinos became a hit among my family and friends, and I felt proud to have discovered my own recipe for this delightful drink.

What is Matcha?

Matcha comes from green tea leaves that are grown and processed specially. Instead of just steeping the leaves in hot water and then throwing them out, you consume the whole leaf. This means you get more health benefits and a stronger flavor compared to regular green tea.

What Are the Different Kinds of Matcha?

Culinary Grade Matcha: This is the lowest quality matcha powder. It tends to be more bitter and has a duller flavor because it’s usually made from the second, summer harvest. While some brands like Mizuba make decent culinary matcha, most of the time it doesnâ€™t have an amazing flavor.

Latte Grade Matcha: This grade falls between culinary and ceremonial. Itâ€™s typically used for making higher-quality matcha lattes but isn’t suitable for traditional matcha tea ceremonies. A good quality latte-grade matcha can be quite delicious and offers a nice balance.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha: This is the highest quality matcha and comes at a higher price. It’s made from the first harvest of tea leaves, usually from the top of the plant. Ceremonial-grade matcha is sweeter, less bitter, and has a stronger green tea flavor. Itâ€™s usually accumulated for drinking with just hot water, but you can also use it to make exceptional matcha lattes. If you want a bright green color and superior taste, go for a ceremonial-grade matcha.

What Matcha Should I Use?

Okay, so let’s talk matcha. You want one thatâ€™s high-quality and not bitter, right?

Personally, Iâ€™m a fan of a few brands: Encha Matcha for latte grade, Mizuba for culinary grade, and Thrive Market for ceremonial grade. Theyâ€™re not just good quality; theyâ€™re also reasonably priced.

These days, you can find matcha in most grocery stores, which is pretty cool. But be careful! Thereâ€™s some low-quality stuff out there that tastes bitter and dull. Keep an eye out for the good stuff!

Overview: How To Make Matcha Frappuccino?

The Matcha Frappuccino is the perfect drink for anyone who loves the unique flavor of matcha. This creamy, delicious beverage is incredibly easy to make at home, and there’s a special trick to ensure itâ€™s as smooth and creamy as the ones you get at Starbucks.

To prepare this refreshing drink, youâ€™ll need just five minutes and a few simple ingredients: ice cubes, whole milk, vanilla extract, sugar, matcha powder, and optionally, xanthan gum for extra creaminess. Simply blend the ice cubes, milk, sugar, matcha powder, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum in a blender for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth.

Once blended, pour your Matcha Frappuccino into a tall glass and top it with whipped cream. This step adds an extra touch of indulgence. Remember, use a blender capable of crushing ice effectively for the best results.

For an even creamier and smoother texture, consider using milk ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes and adding a bit of xanthan gum. Additionally, make sure you’re using high-quality, 100% matcha powder without any added sugar or milk to achieve the best taste. A premium-grade matcha will ensure your drink has a less bitter, more balanced flavor. Enjoy your homemade Matcha Frappuccino as a delightful treat any time of the day!

Try More Drink Recipes!

Helpful Tips for Making a Perfect Matcha Frappe

Quality Matters: The better the quality of the matcha, the less bitter the taste and the brighter your drink will look. Opt for ceremonial-grade matcha for the best flavor.
Blending Time: Blend your frappuccino for at least 30 seconds. This ensures the ice is fully crushed and the matcha powder is well mixed, giving you a smooth and frothy texture.
Blender Power: Ensure your blender can crush ice. A powerful blender is key to achieving the perfect consistency.
Water Quality: If you’re using water ice cubes, make sure to use filtered water. It can significantly affect the taste of your frappe.
Matcha Grade: Culinary-grade matcha tends to be more bitter. For a smoother taste, use ceremonial-grade matcha. Properly store your matcha in a cool, dark place to prevent it from going bad, as expired matcha can introduce off flavors.
Pure Matcha: Use 100% pure matcha powder. Matcha mixed with other ingredients wonâ€™t work well for this recipe and can affect the flavor and texture.

Variations that Are a Must-Try!

Matcha Chocolate Chip Frappuccino: Add 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to the blender for a delightful chocolate twist.
Strawberry Matcha Frappuccino: Incorporate 1-2 tablespoons of strawberry puree into the whipped cream for a fruity touch.
Extreme Matcha Frappuccino: Intensify the matcha flavor by mixing a bit of matcha powder into the whipped cream or sprinkling some on top.

What to Serve with Matcha Frappe?

Whatâ€™s in the Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino?

Here’s a breakdown of what goes into the Starbucks version of their matcha frappuccino: It starts with ice, keeping your drink refreshingly cool, followed by milk, which adds a creamy texture. The key component is the Creme Frappuccino Syrup, a blend of sugar, water, natural flavor, salt, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, and citric acid, giving the drink its sweet and creamy base.

On top, you have whipped cream, made from cream, vanilla syrup (sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, citric acid), and classic syrup (sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, citric acid), providing that fluffy, indulgent topping. Lastly, there’s the Matcha Tea Blend, a mix of sugar and ground Japanese green tea, which gives the frappuccino its distinctive matcha flavor.

How Much Sugar is in the Starbucks Version?

A Grande (16 fl oz) Starbucks matcha green tea Frappuccino contains 61 grams of sugar. A Tall (12 0z) contains 43 grams of sugar, and Venti (24 ounces) contains 79 grams of sugar.

My homemade version (daily values calculated using my recipe plugin).Â