Can’t try Yala Coffee’s delicious fig vanilla matcha latte yourself? Here’s an easy step-by-step recipe on how to make it at home! Featuring sweet figs, vanilla, creamy milk, and umami matcha, this fig matcha latte is the perfect balance of sweet, fruity, and creamy.

Here’s how to make this incredible fig vanilla matcha latte at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• An easy recreation of Yala Coffee’s matcha drink
• A delicious combination of fig and vanilla
• Great way to practice making matcha lattes
• Perfect way to use up figs
• Easy fig syrup recipe!

What is a Fig Vanilla Matcha Latte

This fig vanilla matcha latte is inspired by a beloved coffee shop in Studio City, CA, called Yala Coffee! They serve great Middle-Eastern-flavored beverages and recently garnered attention for their fig vanilla matcha latte. Their fig matcha latte has fig puree and vanilla bean syrup, but when I tried it, the fig flavor was quite subtle.

The drink was very balanced, though, and the matcha was solid. I live in the Bay Area, which is a 6-hour drive away from LA, so, naturally, I wanted to recreate this drink at home and give it a figgy boost!

What Does a Fig Vanilla Matcha Latte Taste Like?

Dried figs and puree have a raisin-like flavor, almost like a deep caramel or molasses note. It’s different from a fresh fig, which has a subtle berry-like flavor and is honey-sweet!

This recipe uses dried figs, so the end flavor leans subtly toward raisin with a delicious wash of vanilla. It’s honestly so subtle with milk and matcha, but it highlights the vanilla nicely. It’s more of an aftertaste, but it’s there!

Do Fig and Matcha Go Together?

Yes! Figs, as mentioned, have a very mild flavor, so they pair well with a bold matcha, which is softened with fig sweetness. Figs have a gourmand aroma with a caramel undertone, and they remind me of dates! Matcha pairs well with more subtle, mild sweet flavors (think condensed milk, dates, white chocolate, maple syrup), so it works well with figs.

The best part is that figs do not overwhelm matcha. Sometimes fruits can be too strong and overpower the delicate matcha flavor, but figs are perfectly mild. So if you’re looking for a subtle fruity matcha latte, try this one!

How to Make Fig Syrup

You can either cook fig syrup or make a fig cheong, which does not require any cooking. Regardless of method, you’ll need figs (fresh or dried), sugar, and water.

For traditional cooked syrup, boil water, then add it to a small pot along with your figs and sugar. If using dried figs, let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until soft. Then, simmer on low heat and reduce until you get the desired consistency.

For cheong, cut the figs into small, 1/2 inch cubes or pieces, then add it to a container along with sugar equivalent in weight. Dried figs will not work for cheong since all the moisture is gone. Let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight until you see the juices pulled out.

How to Store

• Cooked Syrup: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
• Fig Cheong/Macerated Syrup: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 months. Give it a stir once in a while to distribute the sugar evenly.

What Figs to Use

Any type of fig will work with this recipe! Turkish, black mission, tiger, kadoka, and the list goes on. While varieties may taste subtly different, ranging from jammy to sugary to subtly tart. So, use whatever you have available to you!

You can also use dried, fresh, or powdered figs; each has a different preparation method. The best, strongest flavor will be from dried figs since all the moisture is removed and you’re left with the concentrated fig flavor. You’ll get an intense caramelized flavor, which translates nicely into fig syrup! The tradeoff is that you lose the fresher flavors of figs, which are juicy and berry-like.

With fresh figs, you’ll have to use more to get a strong fig flavor in syrup. It’s also best prepared as a macerate syrup, where the fig juice mixes with sugar to create a delicious fresh fig syrup.

You can also use freeze-dried fig powder or even puree, which you can easily mix with water and sugar for a fast and effective fig syrup.

How to Whisk Matcha

You can’t make a matcha latte without learning how to whisk your matcha properly!

To get that smooth, creamy texture, start by sifting your matcha powder into a matcha bowl using a fine mesh strainer. This breaks up clumps and leaves a soft powder that you can whisk evenly into water. Add room temperature or hot water (not boiling, around 175°F) and whisk vigorously using a bamboo whisk in a quick zigzag or “M” motion.

Whisk for 20–30 seconds, or until a fine layer of foam appears on top. It should look like espresso crema: a light froth with tiny, tight bubbles. Then, it’s ready to use!

How to Make a Fig Vanilla Matcha Latte

You’ll need:

• Fig Syrup
• 3 dried figs
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fig Vanilla Matcha Latte
• 1½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1½ cups milk
• 1 cup ice
• ¼ tsp vanilla paste
• 1 tbsp fig syrup

Fig Vanilla Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Hydrate Figs: If using dried figs, cut figs into small pieces and soak in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes or until soft.
2. Make Fig Syrup: Add figs, water, and sugar to a small pot, then simmer on low to medium heat until reduced to the desired consistency. You can make it thick or thin depending on what you like. Let cool slightly before use.
3. Whisk Matcha: Sift matcha powder into a bowl, then add water. Whisk matcha for 20 – 30 seconds in a zigzag motion using a matcha whisk until frothy.
4. Assemble Drink: Add ice, fig syrup, vanilla paste, and milk to a separate glass, then top with whisked matcha. Garnish with a fig slice or a cut dried fig.
5. Mix and Enjoy!

Other Matcha Lattes to Try

Matcha is a great tea to experiment with! It pairs well with a variety of flavors, so the possibilities are endless. Here are some of my favorites you should try next:

• Mango sticky rice matcha latte
• Banana cream matcha latte
• Date cream matcha latte
• Pistachio cream matcha latte
• Salted vanilla matcha latte
• Lavender cold foam matcha latte
• Matcha Thai tea

Tips:

• Use More Fig or Sugar: For an extra bold fig flavor, use double the amount of figs and sugar in your syrup with the same amount of water. This will make the flavor stronger and more intense, which will be more pronounced in the final drink.
• If Using Vanilla Extract: Add it to the syrup after its cooled so it doesn’t evaporate away. Alternatively, add it to the drink separately.
• Blend Figs into Milk: For an easy shortcut, blend figs into milk for a fig milk base. You’ll get all the fruit flavor, plus some extra texture from the fruit. You can always strain it for a smoother milk.
• Use Fig Jam or Powder: If you don’t have fresh, frozen, or dried figs on you for syrup, you can use fig jam or powder as a substitute. Fig jam is super easy and adds sweetness and flavor simultaneously. Fig powder is best mixed into milk, but may need some extra sweetness.