Nutty black sesame and earthy matcha together in a creamy drink is the Asian flavor combination you have to try! This black sesame cream matcha latte is delicious and an easy treat to make at home. It’s perfect for when you want a matcha latte that is a little more substantial.

If you love Asian flavors, then you’ll love this black sesame cream matcha latte! Here’s how to make it at home!

What is Black Sesame?

Black sesame is a variety of sesame, which is a long, stalky plant, and has dark hulls or skins. The seeds are inside the sesame fruit, which releases tiny, tear-drop-shaped seeds with a crisp exterior into the air when ripe. (This is where the saying “open sesame” comes from!)

The dark hulls add to the flavor and aroma of the seed, which are nutty, slightly bitter-sweet, and crunchy!

Black sesame is a huge flavor in Asia, particularly in East Asia, where it’s used in many desserts, baked goods, rice toppings, drinks, sweets, and more. It’s often toasted and used whole or ground into a paste or powder, and I grew up eating it!

Does Black Sesame Go Well with Matcha?

Yes! Black sesame is nutty and slightly savory, which matcha tends to pair well with. They’re also both earthy, so they complement each other. Even in ground form, black sesame paste works just as nicely and leans more creamy and nutty. It’s a popular combination in baked goods, like a matcha custard with black sesame cream, or a black sesame cake with matcha cream.

And if it works in dessert, it definitely works in drinks, which is where this black sesame cream matcha latte comes in! If you’re a fan of sweet, savory, and nutty, then you’ll love this combination.

How to Make Black Sesame Foam?

First, this cream is technically not a cold foam, aka sweet cream cold foam, which is a softly whipped cream made from heavy cream and milk. It has a lighter and fluffier texture, which is easier to mix into iced drinks, compared to whipped cream, which separates. But for a creamier texture, I use just cream in this!

To flavor the cold foam, you can add your desired ingredient as a syrup or paste. For black sesame cream, use black sesame paste or ground-up sesame seeds for the best flavor. It will turn a beautiful gray color and have small black speckles throughout.

For single servings, I like to use a handheld frother to make a small quantity of cream versus a large batch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a delicious Asian flavor combination!
• Easy to make at home!
• Experiment with two popular flavors.
• Make cafe-quality drinks at a fraction of the price.

Black Sesame Cream Matcha Latte: What You’ll Need

Equipment

• A handheld frother or electric mixer
• Matcha whisk
• Matcha bowl
• Tea sifter

Ingredients

• Matcha Latte
• 1½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1-2 tsp sugar or sweetener
• Black Sesame Cream
• ½ tbsp black sesame paste or powder
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp sugar or sweetener (optional if black sesame powder is unsweetened)
• A pinch of black sesame seeds (garnish)

Black Sesame Cream Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Whisk Matcha. Soak the matcha whisk in warm water for 2 minutes. Sift matcha powder into a matcha bowl, then add water. Using the whisk, vigorously whisk the matcha powder and water in a zigzag motion for 20-30 seconds until a foam forms. It should resemble espresso crema.
2. Make Black Sesame Cream. Add black sesame paste or powder and heavy cream to a cup or small bowl. If the black sesame you add is unsweetened, add a little bit of sweetener. Using a handheld frother, whip the cream until light and fluffy but still pourable. You want it to be soft and not stiff.
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice, milk, sweetener, and matcha to a separate glass, then top with the whipped black sesame cold foam. Garnish with a sprinkle of black sesame seeds.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Note: The cream texture should be similar to a thick, pourable smoothie or waffle batter.

Tips for the Best Black Sesame Cream Matcha Latte

• Adjust the Amount of Black Sesame: If you want a stronger sesame flavor, you can always add more black sesame powder or paste and adjust accordingly. You could also add black sesame to the milk for extra nuttiness! And vice versa for a milder flavor.
• Grind Your Own Sesame: If you don’t have black sesame paste or powder but have black sesame, you can make your own paste or powder! For paste, grind roasted black sesame seeds with a little oil and sugar in a food processor until smooth. For powder, grind the seeds with sugar in a food processor or blender until ultra-fine.
• Whisk Matcha Well: Whisking matcha well creates a smooth matcha latte with no clumps. You shouldn’t see any clumps of matcha in your whisking bowl when you swirl it around. If you do, whisk until they disperse.
• Get the Perfect Cream Texture: Watch the texture of the cream when whipping, you want to stop when it doubles in size but is still pourable. Avoid making whipped cream; otherwise, it will be hard to drink!
• Make Layers: If you use a glass or transparent cup, layer your ingredients so you get a nice, colorful layer trio! Pour the whisked matcha directly on ice to break its impact, and the cream will naturally float thanks to the air.

Black Sesame Matcha Variations

• White Sesame Seeds: If you don’t have black sesame seeds, you can substitute them with white sesame seeds. While they’re both sesame, the white version is milder and sweeter in flavor, while the black ones are nuttier and slightly bitter. Technically, tahini would be a great paste alternative!
• Creamless: You can omit the black sesame cream to make it healthier and milkier, and opt to add black sesame flavor to the milk itself. If you find black sesame milk, you can also use that instead!
• Vegan: Swap the heavy cream and milk for your favorite vegan alternatives. I’ve seen non-dairy, oat, and coconut cream and milk that would work perfectly here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to whisk matcha properly?

This recipe calls for a bamboo whisk and bowl, which you use to disperse the matcha powder in the water and make it properly. However, if you don’t have those tools, there are several ways to make matcha without a matcha whisk.

What does black sesame pair well with?

Black sesame is rich and nutty, which pairs well in both sweet and savory applications! For sweets, you can combine it with honey, vanilla, bread, chocolate, etc., like in a black sesame pudding, cake, or cookies. For savory, add it on top of noodles, rice, vegetables, meat, etc. It adds a satisfying crunch and slightly nutty flavor.

Other Creamy Matcha Latte Recipes to Try

This black sesame cream matcha latte is such a treat and fun flavor combination! If you love this, then you need to try these other matcha recipes next:

• Kinako Cream Matcha Latte
• Ube Cream Matcha Latte
• Date Cream Matcha Latte
• Sea Salt Cream Matcha
• Salted Tahini Honeycomb Matcha Latte