Friends, the day is here. Ready to learn my secret for making a delicious caffeine-free “matcha” latte?! Let’s do this!
How to Make Caffeine-Free “Matcha”
The secret is moringa powder!
Known as the “miracle tree,” moringa is poised to be the latest trendy superfood. But trends aside, we’re convinced it’s one seriously magical, nutrient-dense plant, and we’re so excited to share more about how we’re putting it to use.
One glance or whiff of this vibrant green, grassy herb and we immediately thought of our beloved morning matcha latte, but without the caffeine and with arguably even more health benefits (more on that later). Count us in!
What is Moringa?
Moringa oleifera is a plant native to India that also grows in Asia, Africa, and South America. It’s been used around the world for centuries to treat conditions such as anemia, anxiety, skin infections, bronchitis, and more.
Health Benefits of Moringa
Moringa is rich in nutrients such as beta carotene, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, protein, and a variety of antioxidants. Some claim it is “the most nutrient-rich plant yet discovered.”
In addition to its stellar nutritional profile, moringa is thought to have anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties.
Research on humans supports claims that moringa leaf powder may help those with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and/or low antioxidant status. And no adverse effects were reported.
Note: Though we didn’t come across any risks associated with consuming moringa, we recommend checking with your doctor before trying it if you are taking any medications or have any concerns. We should also note that consuming large quantities of moringa can upset the digestive system as it’s quite potent. We recommend starting with a 1/2-tsp serving and working your way up.
How to Make a Moringa Latte
Method 1: For 1 moringa latte, add 1 tsp moringa powder, sweetener of choice (we prefer a dash of stevia), and 1-2 tsp hot water to a small bowl. Use a matcha whisk (or small whisk) to blend completely so no clumps remain (see photo). Then heat your dairy-free milk of choice (we prefer frothing with our espresso machine, but using the microwave or a saucepan on the stovetop will also work!). Transfer your moringa mixture to your serving mug and top with your heated / frothed dairy-free milk.
Method 2: Alternatively, add moringa powder, dairy-free milk, and sweetener of choice (along with any optional add-ins) to the Breville Milk Cafe Frother and blend / heat as desired (our preferred method!).
Method 3: Add moringa powder, dairy-free milk, and sweetener of choice (along with any optional add-ins) to a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat and whisk to combine and froth (to retain the most nutrients, be sure not to boil the mixture).
You could also enjoy your moringa latte iced by adding all ingredients to a jar with some ice cubes and shaking well to combine.
How to Make a “Half Caff” Matcha Latte
A sneaky method we’ve been loving lately? Making a “half-caff” matcha by subbing half of the matcha in our morning lattes with moringa! Simply combine 1/2 tsp matcha + 1/2 tsp moringa powder + 8 ounces dairy-free milk (+ sweetener of choice) and heat / mix to combine (again, we prefer using our Breville Milk Cafe Frother for this)!
Best Moringa Brands
Looking to try moringa for the first time? Let us be your guide! Check out our Best Moringa Powders Review. We put 10 leading moringa brands to the test in an unsponsored review to see which stood out when it came to flavor, color, texture, and quality! See which brands were worth the hype and which ones weren’t, plus links for where to buy!
We hope you LOVE this latte! It’s:
Creamy
Comforting
Quick & easy
LOADED with health benefits
Caffeine-free
& SO delicious
This would make the perfect beverage to enjoy any time of day. We love it in the morning, but because it’s caffeine-free it’s suitable for any time of day.
Into comforting beverages? Try our Feel Good Hot Chocolate, 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk, Best Vegan Matcha Latte, and Healing 3-Ingredient Turmeric Tonic.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram (we love seeing your creations on social), and don’t forget to leave a rating! It’s super helpful for us and other readers, too. Cheers, friends!
3-Ingredient Moringa Latte (Caffeine-Free “Matcha!”)
Ingredients
LATTE
- 1 tsp moringa powder (click here to see our favorite brands)
- Sweetener to taste (maple syrup, stevia, or honey — we prefer a dash of stevia)
- 1 cup light coconut milk* (or other dairy-free milk of choice — cashew, oat, or coconut are best in our opinion)
- 1-2 tsp hot water (for Method 1)
ADD-INS optional
- 1/4 tsp ashwagandha
- 1/4 tsp maca powder
- 2-3 Tbsp collagen (such as Vital Proteins or Sports Research, or Moon Juice Tocos to keep recipe vegan)
Instructions
METHOD 1
- For 1 moringa latte, add 1 tsp moringa powder, sweetener of choice (we prefer a dash of stevia), and 1-2 tsp hot water to a small bowl. Use a matcha whisk (or small whisk) to blend completely so no clumps remain (see photo).
- Heat your dairy-free milk of choice (we prefer frothing with our espresso machine, but using the microwave or a saucepan on the stovetop will also work!). Transfer your moringa mixture to your serving mug and top with your heated / frothed dairy-free milk. Enjoy!
METHOD 2
- Alternatively, add dairy-free milk to the Breville Milk Cafe Frother and turn on to start heating / blending. Then add moringa and sweetener of choice (along with any optional add-ins) and blend / heat.
METHOD 3
- Add moringa powder, dairy-free milk, and sweetener of choice (along with any optional add-ins) to a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat and whisk to combine and froth (to retain the most nutrients, be sure not to boil the mixture).
ICED MORINGA LATTE
- You could also enjoy your moringa latte iced by adding all ingredients to a jar with some ice and shaking well to combine.
- Best when fresh, though you could make a batch (using any method) ahead of time and enjoy up to 24-48 hours later (hot or iced).
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with half light canned coconut milk and half cashew milk, with stevia as the sweetener, and without optional ingredients.
*Though we didn’t come across any risks associated with consuming moringa, we recommend checking with your doctor before trying it if you are taking any medications or have any concerns. We should also note that consuming large quantities of moringa can upset the digestive system as it’s quite potent. We recommend starting with a 1/2-tsp serving and working your way up.
Monica Bernardino says
I love Moringa but my mom made this powder by blending it in the blender and puts in the oven. Honestly, it tastes really good but sometimes my mom doesn’t like to put a natural sweetener for the tea! (I know that really sucks and she doesn’t want it.) but the “latte” is extremely taste delicious. Even sweeter than other ordinary ones like that from the coffee shops. I just rather homemade lattes.
Andi says
I know it says sweetener to taste but approximately what do you recommend if I were to use honey or coconut sugar? Would I need more if I add the optional add ins?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Andi, we suggest starting small with 1/4 tsp and adding more to taste!
jenna says
I don’t know why I haven’t thought of using moringa powder in a latte but I make this all the time! Especially in the evening when I don’t want to make anything with caffeine. It does taste more ‘grassy’ than matcha but it tastes nice with some sweetener
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks so much for all your thoughtful reviews, Jenna. We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Marissa says
I bought a bag of moringa powder as some have said it can increase milk supply with breastfeeding. I came across your recipe and I’m so glad I did. This was my first time trying moringa and it was great. I’m so surprised how much it tastes like matcha!
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Marissa! Thank you for the lovely review and we hope it helps! xo
Madi says
Hi! I’ve been making my own moringa latttees but they keep splitting and I’m not sure why. I’ve tried to search online but can’t find much. I use 1/2 tbsp morgina, 1/2 tsp maca, 1/2 tbsp sugar, 1 cup homemade almond milk. I mix the moringa, maca, and sugar w water in a pot and then add the milk. Then i strain it into a cup. Any ideas why it would split? Thanks!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Hmm, what about trying to blend it in a heat-friendly blender (one with a vented lid)? That’s how I make mine and they’re delicious and very creamy / smooth!
Kelly Kurcina says
I cannot wait to try this! Just ordered my moringa (your third place choice). However, I would be careful to recommend the Breville frother as I have heard from many it is a fire hazard and that Breville has utterly bad customer service plus a high level of complaints. :(
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks for sharing, Kelly! That’s interesting. We haven’t had any issues with ours.
Elisabeth says
Thanks! I’ve got this bag of moringa powder, and I forgot why I had bought it, and then I heard something about a “moringa latte”! I love your blog so I was super excited to try your recipe! It didn’t disappoint! It tastes just like a Starbucks green tea latte! I used honey as sweetener.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad this recipe came in handy and you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing, Elisabeth!
bec says
I would love more ideas/recipes for using the powder in ways other than beverages! If it is cooked, does it lose it’s nutritional benefit?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Bec, we’ve seen moringa leaves added to soups and stews, lentils, etc. But not sure how that would taste as a powder? Some nutrients are heat sensitive, while others become easier to digest & absorb. Hope that helps!
Betsy says
Informative article and good, simple recipes. Would mention that Moringa stirred into a mug of hot water with a good squeeze of lemon juice borders on delicious. Plus, Moringa sinks to the bottom of the cup, which means I can enjoy several more cups just by refilling with hot water, adding more lemon if I want. The effects of drinking it regularly, for me, are an awakened sense of clarity and vitality. It may not taste like much, but it feels like I’m engaging a powerful cooperative ally.
Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, Betsy!
Heather says
Hi. I recently purchased some moringa powder and decided to search recipes on how to ingest it and found you. I made a cold latte with 1 tsp moringa powder (and 2 tbsp of hot water to dissolve it), a cup of oat milk, and 3 drops of stevia. It was AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! Thank you
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
So great! Thanks for sharing, Heather!
Clara says
This recipe is so helpful! I love how open Dana and the MB team are about testing recipes until they are truly perfect. I have so much trust in them! I have fallen in love with Moringa after doing my own research, and was winging the concentration of Moringa powder to water to milk based on my knowledge of familiar matcha powders… I do not recommend that strategy! I would often come up with wasted powder/sediment at the bottom of the cup. The half teaspoon has been working well for me following this recipe (digestion wise too!). I do find thicker milks (like cashew or coconut milk) help to suspend the powder to avoid a weak latte and lots of remaining sediment. Thanks MB!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, thanks for your kind words and lovely review, Clara! We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes! xo
Liz says
Excited to try this. I’ve been feeling like I need a real health boast and to get back on track with a healthy life style.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Let us know how it goes!
Zsuzsanna says
I tried it and absolutely loved it. I’ve tried morninga before in smoothies and never really liked it. This “latte” tastes great and gives me a boost without the caffeine. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Tess says
Made with 1/2 tsp Sprouts brand moringa powder, unsweetened Silk brand soy milk, and a teaspoon of powdered white sugar via method 2 in my small Bodum brand milk frother. My frother is definitely not powerful enough, as the frothy part was grainy with moringa (I’m sure the Breville one in the instructions would work better), but the milky part was delicious. Really does taste like matcha to me but I’m happy to have a caffeine-free option; I had no idea moringa existed! Thanks, Dana!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Tess, thanks for sharing your experience! You could try stirring the moringa into a tablespoon or two of soy milk before adding to the frother to help it mix. Hope that helps!
Tess says
Just wanted to say I ended up making it in my VitaMix blender on the soup setting and it’s the perfect hot temperature, completely blended, and has a little bit of froth!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks for sharing, Tess!
Mo says
YUM. I got some moringa powder from a family run company called Papa Rozier (their moringa is from Haiti). I made a cold latte with almond milk and a little demerara syrup and it was DELICIOUS! Can’t wait to have it warm in the morning.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Sounds lovely! Thanks for sharing, Mo!
Gen says
Would this taste good without any sweeteners ?
I’m scared to make a cup and have it taste strong. I usually use homemade coconut or banana milk, not sure if that will help.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We would recommend sweetener for best taste, but if you don’t mind a more earthy taste, you might still enjoy it!
Meghan Ketz says
Hi! I tried this with the exact moringa you used, yay to small businesses! I’ve tried with maple syrup, monk fruit, and plain and they all came out with a weird taste. I don’t want to throw it out but am wondering if you have any tips??? It was almost like it was sour…like it had gone bad but I made it fresh on the stove top since I don’t have a frother. Maybe I let it get too hot??? Thanks for any help!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Meghan, so strange! We haven’t had that experience- but it could be the heating? Or we wonder if it was a weird batch? We’d say maybe try contacting the company to see what they think.
Meghan Ketz says
Hmmm..okay I’ll try again and maybe the first method or not heating as much! I was using almond milk…not sure if that makes a difference. Going to try the lentil tacos this weekend :)
Helen says
This is a reply to Meghan Ketz. I don’t know if this was the problem, but I have to tell you that every single time I have heated almond milk, it has a weird nasty metallic flavor. It tastes fine when cold, but forget about trying to heat it. So, it might have ruined your latte. I prefer either coconut milk or oat milk when I make my lattes.
Sukanya says
Glad to see that our indigenous south indian plant is featured here. We consume a lot of it and it doesn’t have any known side effects but only praised for its goodness. The leaves tastes amazing in savoury dishes. The moringa powder mixed with cooked rice and clarified butter with a pinch of salt is a good combo. This is an interesting way of consuming it. Let me give it a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
PS: l have tree growing in the backyard.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Very cool! Thanks so much for sharing, Sukanya! Let us know how you like this recipe!
Jill says
Do you need to be “gentle” with moringa? Any reason you couldn’t whip this up in the blender?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
That should work!
Amy says
I love this recipe. I ended up making a powder mix with matcha, moringa, ashwaganda, and maca, to have an adaptogenic matcha mix ready to prepare at all times! I’d love to see you publish a recipe for the mix :)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Great idea, Amy! Thanks for sharing! We’ll add it to our ideas list.
Kristin Baker says
This was lovely this morning with a tad bit of coconut sugar. Thanks Dana
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Kristin! Thanks for sharing!
Hannah Bahler says
I’ve been making this semi-regularly. Just a quick tip: add a drop of peppermint extract/flavoring. Mint Matcha/Moringa is the best!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
Lucy says
My husband and I have been migrating to a weekday vegan diet, and when I asked him his favorite meals I’ve made so far, each one came from your beautiful blog. Thank you for helping another happy home chef find her way to the joys of plant-based cooking.
As a side note, we live and work in West Africa, where my husband runs a moringa farm. We were both excited to see it feature here! Thanks for spreading the word –
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
a) I love the idea of weekday vegan :D
b) So glad you’re both enjoying the recipes!
c) That’s amazing that your husband is a moringa farmer! We’re big moringa fans around here!
Jade says
OMG this is amazing! How does it taste so much like matcha?? I’m in love!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Jade! Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Deborah Spillan says
What matcha whisk do you recommend. I do not know where to start to look. Not too terrible expensive I hope.
Thank you Debi
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Deborah! We just got one from a local tea shop. But they’re readily available online!
Karin says
I have several moringa trees and have been making traditional tea by steeping the dried leaves. After reading this recipe I made my own powder and made the tea. Wow! I’ve been drinking match tea for 10 years and this is just as good if not better with more flavor! I’ll be blending matcha and moringa for my morning tea from now on. Thank you Dana!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks, Karin! That’s amazing :D
LILA L MUMOLO says
Yay finally something to do with my Moringa Powder. Made this using flax milk and it turned out so yummy. Thanks for the recipe.
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it, Lila!
Kay moua says
I farm moringa for over 5 years now, i do have lots of powder dry fresh from the tree i farmed i like to know more your recipes.
Melanie says
Woo-hoo! First comment! I’ve got to say, I was very excited to see this pop up in my email inbox because I have a bag of Moringa but I’m not all that sure how to use it. I once tried Matcha and I can definitely see how the grassiness is similar. I hadn’t thought of making a Moringa Latte though! Thanks for the different methods to make it, too! I’ll definitely be trying this out.
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Lovely! Let us know how it goes, Melanie! xo
Christina says
I was so excited to finally be able to use my moringa powder that I rushed to the kitchen to make this as soon as I saw the recipe. It’s delish!
As always, your recipes are tasty and exactly what I am looking for. Thank you!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks, Christina! xoxo
ALLISON ROMANG says
Thanks so much for this. I use Moringa in all my smoothies but never thought of this. I love iced matcha lattes so I am going to give the 50/50 version a try. Thanks!
Brooke says
For anyone who loves Moringa, try growing it yourself! It is extremely drought-resistant and known to grow in the harshest of environments. I grew a dozen or so trees in my compound in Mali (West Africa) in the Peace Corps. Within 5 or 6 months, they went from seeds to over 8 feet tall with tons of leaves to harvest, dry, and pound into a powder (or put the whole, fresh leaves into pasta sauce or a smoothie). Search for Moringa seeds online and plant away, my friends! :) It is truly an incredible plant!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Wow! Thanks for sharing, Brooke!
Mandy says
There’s an urban farm in my neighborhood that grows moringa, so I accumulated a nice little stash participating in their CSA. The fresh leaves feel almost silky, it’s very nice! I dried the leaves, then stashed them in my freezer, I usually throw some in my smoothies. But when I feel like taking the time to grind some into powder I will definitely try this and will probably mix it with Matcha.
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Lovely! Let us know how it goes, Mandy!