Imagine a fresh, soft cardamom bun, take all the flavor, and turn it into a syrup. Then, that syrup goes into a creamy matcha latte. Heaven! That’s what this cardamom matcha latte tastes like. It’s especially delicious with an easy cardamom bun-inspired syrup that’s so easy to make with 3 ingredients.

Here’s how to make this cardamom bun matcha latte at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s freaking delicioussss! Tastes like a cardamom bun in matcha.
• Super easy to follow and make a cafe-quality beverage.
• Make a delicious cardamom syrup you can use for coffee, tea, cakes, and more.
• Allows you to make a delicious drink at home!
• Try a unique flavor combination.

What is a Cardamom Bun?

Danish cardamom buns or kardemommesnurres inspired this recipe! I lived in Copenhagen for one month (can I really say I lived there lol), and cardamom buns made the largest impression on me. I tried them from bakeries all over the city, and the best were from Juno the Bakery.

Scandinavian cardamom buns are a famous fika pastry made with brioche-style dough, twisted into a knot, and filled with ground cardamom seeds, brown sugar, and vanilla. You can find them in practically every Scandinavian country, but most popular in Denmark and Sweden.

Soft, sticky, moist, and delicious, I wish I could get them often here in California! But because I can’t, this cardamom matcha latte is the next best thing.

Do Cardamom and Matcha Go Together?

You bet. Matcha has an earthy, umami, and sometimes savory flavor that goes really nicely with warm spices. I usually like it with cinnamon, but matcha goes great with cardamom as well.

Cardamom is slightly spiced, floral, citrusy, and peppery, which all brighten up matcha. Especially considering that matcha can be bitter or grassy at times. I think they pair really well together, and taste incredible with some brown sugar.

How to Make Cardamom Syrup

The best way to add cardamom to a latte is in syrup form. Cardamom is actually a seed that comes from the cardamom pod. The pods don’t carry any flavor, so you need to grind the seeds to release all the aroma and flavor.

Preground cardamom won’t be as strong as freshly ground cardamom due to oxidation. And the best way to infuse that flavor is in a syrup or oil. Luckily, homemade cardamom syrup is easy to make.

Add the sugar, water, and ground cardamom to a pot and simmer for 5 minutes until aromatic. The sugar should dissolve completely. Then, let it cool, and it’s ready to use in your lattes!

Cardamom Matcha Latte: What You’ll Need

Equipment:

• A small or medium-sized pot
• A matcha whisk
• Matcha bowl
• Tea sifter
• A mortar and pestle

Ingredients:

• 1½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• ½ tbsp cardamom syrup

Cardamom Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Make Cardamom Syrup. Add freshly ground cardamom, brown sugar, vanilla, and water to a pot. Simmer on low to medium heat for 4 – 5 minutes until the sugar completely dissolves and the syrup reduces down to your desired consistency.
2. Whisk Matcha. Sift matcha powder into your bowl and add hot water at around 170°F. Vigorously whisk in letter M or W motions for 20 – 30 seconds or until you create a velvety froth on top.
3. Assemble Drink. Add cardamom syrup, ice, and milk to a separate glass, then top with your whisked matcha. Garnish with a pinch of ground cardamom.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Cardamom Matcha Latte

• Use Freshly Ground Cardamom: Freshly ground cardamom has the best, brightest flavor compared to preground cardamom. It’s super citrusy, peppery, and floral, which tastes amazing with matcha!
• Use a Quality Matcha Powder: I like using a matcha powder with a good balance of umami and creaminess. Avoid using matcha powders that are super bitter or astringent, which might make this latte taste bad. A powder with floral notes can also pair well with cardamom!
• Whisk Matcha Well: Make sure you whisk your matcha powder properly! If you don’t whisk enough, you can end up with clumps that make your drink grainy. Don’t skip out on whisking well, and be patient with it.

What Other Flavors Go With Cardamom Matcha?

Well, cardamom pairs well with a lot of different spices and flavors. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are easy complementary spices, as well as vanilla, which adds a creamy finish. Cardamom is also stellar with florals, and cardamom rose is a popular dessert combination in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

It’s also great with berries and citrus. You could make a blueberry or orange cardamom matcha latte, and it would be delicious. For a dessert route, you can add cocoa powder, honey, or even maple syrup.

Experiment with what sounds delicious to you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-ground cardamom?

Yes, if you don’t have fresh cardamom, you can always use pre-ground cardamom in your syrup. I would use double the amount of cardamom since fresh tends to be stronger than pre-ground.

How much caffeine does this have?

1 teaspoon of matcha has around 50 mg of caffeine, so this recipe has roughly 75 mg of caffeine. In comparison, a standard latte has 120 mg of caffeine from two shots of espresso. So, it’s decently caffeinated!

How long does the cardamom syrup last?

If you store the syrup in the fridge in an airtight container, it honestly should last about 2 – 3 weeks. Sometimes you can push it to a month or over, but at that point, you should be checking for any weird odors or appearances in case.

Other Matcha Latte Recipes to Try

This cardamom matcha latte tastes like a cardamom bun in the best way. Who knew they would pair so well? Matcha tastes great with other spices, especially if it’s a contrasting flavor. Here are some other delicious matcha recipes you should try next:

• Salted Tahini Honeycomb Matcha Latte
• Rosemary Matcha Latte
• Brown Sugar Cinnamon Matcha Latte
• Cinnamon Vanilla Matcha Latte