Ube Matcha Latte

Ube Matcha Latte Recipe: Korean Cafe-Style Fusion Drink (Filipino & Japanese Flavors)

Harvard Health – Potential Health Benefits of Matcha

Why Ube Matcha Latte is Popular in Korean Cafes

While not traditionally Korean, ube matcha lattes have gained tremendous popularity in Seoul’s vibrant cafe culture and can easily be found in trendy cafes across Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Seongsu-dong. Korean cafe culture has embraced this Filipino-Japanese fusion drink because it perfectly aligns with Koreans’ love for visually striking Instagram-worthy beverages and innovative flavor combinations.

Seoul’s matcha scene has exploded in recent years, with specialty cafes like METCHA, Super Matcha, and numerous artisanal tea houses serving ceremonial-grade matcha drinks. Adding ube creates the perfect contrast – both visually with purple and green layers, and flavor-wise with nutty sweetness complementing matcha’s earthy bitterness.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Ube Matcha Latte

For Ube Layer:

1. 2 tablespoons coconut cream or heavy cream – Creates rich, creamy base
2. 1-2 tablespoons condensed milk – Provides sweetness and creaminess
3. 1/8 teaspoon ube extract – Key to authentic purple color and flavor
4. 1/2 cup cold milk – Oat milk or coconut milk work wonderfully

For Matcha Layer:

1. 2 teaspoons ceremonial-grade matcha powder – Bright green, high-quality matcha like those used in Korean specialty cafes
2. 1/4 cup hot water (170°F/77°C) – Not boiling, to avoid bitterness
3. 1-2 teaspoons honey or agave (optional) – To balance matcha’s natural bitterness

For Serving:

1. Ice cubes – For the perfect chilled experience
2. Bamboo whisk or milk frother – Essential for smooth matcha preparation

Korean Matcha vs Ube Matcha: Understanding the Difference

Traditional Korean Matcha Drinks

Korea has a rich tea history dating back to Tang Dynasty China, and Korean cafes typically serve ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Jeju Island or premium Japanese varieties. Popular Korean matcha variations include:

1. Simple Matcha Latte – Pure matcha with steamed milk
2. Matcha Ade – Refreshing matcha with sparkling water
3. Hojicha Latte – Roasted green tea version

How Ube Matcha Differs

The ube matcha latte represents the globalization of Korean cafe culture, where international flavors are embraced and reimagined. Seoul’s cafes are famous for innovative variations from matcha gin and tonics to seasonal specialty drinks, making ube matcha a natural fit for Korea’s experimental beverage scene.

Key Differences:

1. Sweetness Level – Korean matcha tends to be less sweet, while ube adds natural nutty flavor and sweetness
2. Visual Appeal – The purple-green contrast creates Instagram-worthy drinks beloved in Korean cafe culture
3. Flavor Profile – Combines matcha’s umami earthiness with ube’s vanilla-like nutty notes

More Matcha Recipes You May Like

Korean Matcha Latte

A smooth and balanced matcha latte made in classic Korean café style, featuring a clean tea flavor and creamy milk.

Korean Salted Matcha Cream Latte

A sweet-and-salty matcha drink layered with fluffy salted cream for a rich Korean-style dessert latte.

Ube Matcha Latte

A vibrant, layered drink combining earthy matcha with sweet ube for a colorful twist and deep flavor contrast.

Matcha French Toast

Soft, custardy French toast infused with matcha and topped with powdered sugar or berries for a café-quality brunch.

Korean Matcha Sesame Affogato

A modern Korean affogato featuring nutty black sesame ice cream topped with a shot of warm matcha.

Korean-Style Matcha Salt Cream Latte

A bold matcha latte topped with luxurious salted cream inspired by popular Korean dessert cafés.

Matcha Dutch Baby Pancake

A light, oven-baked pancake infused with matcha, served with fresh berries and powdered sugar.

Ingredient Deep Dive: Understanding Ube and Matcha

Ube (Purple Yam) – The Filipino Foundation

Ube Profile:

1. Korean name: 자색고구마 (Purple sweet potato, though technically different)
2. Flavor: Subtle sweetness with vanilla and nutty undertones
3. Why it works: Natural sweetness pairs beautifully with matcha’s earthiness, creating balance without artificial flavor enhancers

Sourcing and Substitutions:

1. Where to buy: Asian markets, online suppliers, Korean grocery stores in Seoul
2. Best brands: Look for pure ube extract, not purple sweet potato
3. Storage: Keep ube extract refrigerated after opening

Matcha – The Japanese Heart

Matcha in Korean Context: Korean cafes often use ceremonial-grade matcha, with some like Super Matcha even sourcing organic matcha from Boseong, Korea’s “Capital of Green Tea.” This brings a unique Korean twist to the traditional Japanese ingredient.

Quality Indicators:

1. Color: Vibrant, bright green
2. Texture: Fine powder that whisks smoothly
3. Aroma: Fresh, grassy scent
4. Origin: Look for Japanese ceremonial grade or Korean-grown varieties

Recipe Variations & Customizations

Hot Version for Korean Winter

Perfect for Seoul’s cold months – warm the milk before layering and reduce ice. Simply heat milk to desired temperature and follow the same layering technique.

Korean-Style Vegan

1. Use coconut condensed milk
2. Substitute oat milk or almond milk
3. Add coconut cream for richness

Cafe-Style Ube Cold Foam

Create professional-style cold foam by whipping heavy cream with ube syrup using a milk frother – perfect for topping any matcha drink.

Korean Sweetness Adjustments

Korean palates often prefer less sweetness than Western tastes. Start with less condensed milk and adjust to preference.

Essential FAQs for Perfect Ube Matcha Latte

What makes this authentically Korean cafe-style?

While the ingredients are Filipino and Japanese, the preparation method and presentation style reflects Seoul’s trendy specialty cafes like METCHA and Super Matcha, which emphasize fresh preparation, ceremonial-grade ingredients, and Instagram-worthy presentation. Korean cafe culture embraces international fusion while maintaining high-quality preparation standards.

What if I can’t find ube extract in Korea?

Ube extract is the key to achieving the signature purple color and flavor – just 1/8 teaspoon mixed with milk creates that vibrant purple base. In Seoul, check Itaewon’s international markets, online Korean shopping sites, or Filipino grocery stores. You can also use ube halaya (sweetened ube paste) – use 1 tablespoon and reduce other sweeteners accordingly.

How do I know when my matcha is properly prepared?

Perfect matcha should be smooth, frothy, and bright green with no clumps – achieved by sifting the powder, using 170°F water, and whisking vigorously until smooth. If it tastes bitter, your water was too hot or you used too much powder. A properly mixed ube matcha latte should look slightly grayish when fully combined.

What should I serve with this Korean cafe-style drink?

Korean cafes often pair matcha drinks with complementary desserts like matcha tarts, crepe cakes, or traditional Korean confections. Consider serving alongside:

1. Korean rice cakes with sweet red beans
2. Matcha cookies or macarons
3. Light Korean pastries like cream bread
4. Traditional Korean tea sweets (hangwa)

Troubleshooting Your Ube Matcha Latte

Common Issues & Solutions:

Matcha tastes bitter: Water too hot (over 180°F) or too much powder. Start with cooler water and less matcha.

Layers won’t separate: Pour more slowly over ice cubes, and ensure ube mixture is properly thickened in the fridge.

Color too pale: Use more ube extract – it’s potent, but you may need slightly more for desired vibrancy.

Texture too thin: Add more coconut cream to ube layer or use coconut condensed milk for richness.

Korean Cafe Culture Context

When Koreans Enjoy This Drink

In Seoul’s cafe culture, specialty drinks like ube matcha are popular afternoon treats, often enjoyed during “cafe hopping” sessions in trendy districts like Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Seongsu-dong. They’re particularly popular among young Koreans who appreciate the visual appeal and unique flavor combinations.

Korean-Style Serving

Korean cafes emphasize the experience – serve in clear glassware to showcase layers, provide a long spoon for mixing, and don’t rush the drinking process. Some high-end Korean tea houses even offer 90-minute sessions dedicated to properly enjoying specialty tea drinks.

Health Benefits & Nutritional Value

Antioxidant Powerhouse: Both ube and matcha are rich in antioxidants, with matcha providing catechins and ube offering anthocyanins responsible for its purple color.

Gentle Energy Boost: Matcha provides sustained energy without the crash associated with coffee, making it popular in Korean work culture.

Natural Ingredients: This homemade version avoids artificial syrups often used in commercial versions, aligning with Korean preferences for natural, high-quality ingredients.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Ube Base: Prepare ube cream mixture up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate. Whisk before using.

Matcha Preparation: Always prepare matcha fresh – it loses its vibrant color and smooth texture quickly.

Batch Preparation: For entertaining, pre-make ube mixture and have matcha whisked to order for best results.

Bringing Korean Cafe Culture Home

This ube matcha latte represents the beautiful fusion that defines modern Korean cafe culture – respectful adoption of international flavors prepared with Korean attention to quality and presentation. Whether you’re inspired by Seoul’s innovative matcha scene or simply want to recreate that trendy cafe experience at home, this recipe delivers both visual impact and authentic flavors.

The drink perfectly embodies Korea’s approach to global cuisine: taking the best elements from different cultures and elevating them through meticulous preparation and high-quality ingredients. Each sip delivers the earthy sophistication of Japanese tea culture combined with the comforting sweetness of Filipino tradition – all presented with Korean cafe aesthetics.

Ready to create your own Korean cafe moment? Master this recipe and you’ll have a stunning drink that rivals Seoul’s trendiest specialty cafes, all while understanding the cultural fusion that makes Korean food culture so dynamic and appealing worldwide.

Save this recipe for your next Korean-inspired cafe session and share your creations with #KoreanCafeCulture #UbeMatchaLatte