Want to try a different flavor of matcha that isn’t strawberry or banana? Then you need to try this tropical passionfruit matcha latte! I find that passionfruit is such a bright and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with matcha and milk. And don’t worry, mixing a sour fruit and milk is still safe to drink!

Here’s how to make a delicious passionfruit matcha latte at home!

What is a Passionfruit Matcha Latte?

A passionfruit matcha latte is a matcha latte with passionfruit puree or syrup. You can use the fresh fruit as well! It’s super easy to make, and besides the passionfruit flavor, the rest of the latte is the same as a classic matcha latte.

It’s a tropical twist on a fruit-flavored matcha latte! It’s made with milk, ice, whisked matcha, and passionfruit syrup or fruit. When you assemble the drink, you get three pretty layers, which you can top with more passionfruit pulp as garnish.

What Does a Passionfruit Matcha Latte Taste Like?

This drink is super refreshing and has a nice balance of tangy, umami, and creamy. While matcha is vegetal and slightly savory, it pairs well with flavors that are either similar to it or contrasting, like sour and juicy. With contrasting flavors, matcha is brighter and refreshing than umami.

The passionfruit has an intense tartness to it, but also has the flavor of a pineapple and mango together. In this drink, you’ll first get the fruity passionfruit, followed by a mellow matcha flavor. Depending on how strong your matcha is, it can be overshadowed or stand on its own with the passionfruit!

It’s quite a good pair, especially if you like stronger flavors.

How to Add Passionfruit Flavor

There are so many ways you can add passionfruit flavor, including: fruit pulp, puree, jam, syrup, and flavoring. My top methods are using the fruit pulp or a syrup.

For fruit pulp, wash and cut a ripe passionfruit in half, then use a clean spoon to scoop out the seeds and juice. You can choose to take out the seeds and just use the pulp and juice for a smoother texture.

How to Make Passionfruit Syrup

You can also use a passionfruit syrup, but I find that most syrups are extremely sweet and don’t have a strong passionfruit taste. Luckily, it’s super easy to make a better one at home!

All you need is passionfruit, sugar, and water! Add sugar, water, and passionfruit pulp to a small pot and reduce until you get the desired consistency. For a brighter flavor, cook this on low to medium heat, but do not boil. This will mute any fruit flavors.

You can also use passionfruit juice or puree if you don’t have fresh passionfruit. You can just boil the juice down until it thickens. If you want to round out the flavor, add a little bit of vanilla!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s easy and unique!
• Use leftover passion fruit.
• Cafe-quality drink at home.
• Healthier than store-bought drinks.
• Fun flavor combo to impress guests.

How to Make Passionfruit Matcha Latte

You’ll need:

• ½ passionfruit
• 1½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1 tsp sweetener

Passionfruit Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Sift matcha powder into a matcha bowl, then add water. Whisk the matcha in a zigzag motion for 20 – 30 seconds using a bamboo whisk until frothy (aim for tiny, espresso-crema-like bubbles).
2. Wash and halve a ripe passionfruit. Careful about pulp or juice spilling out!
3. Scrape out the passionfruit pulp of one half into a separate glass, then add sweetener and stir to combine.
4. Add ice and milk, then top with the whisked matcha.
5. Mix and enjoy!

How to Pick Ripe Passionfruit

Passionfruit kind of ripens like eggplant; they’re green when young and purple when ripe. However, with passionfruit, look for wrinkled skin. That’s the easiest sign it’s ripe! Smooth passionfruit skin means it’s still underripe and will taste more sour. The wrinkles show it’s had time to develop sweetness inside.

Pick one that feels heavy for its size. That means it’s full of juice and pulp. If it feels light or hollow, it’s likely dried out inside.

Color can vary depending on the variety, but generally, deep purple or golden yellow passionfruit are the sweetest. Avoid any that have soft, mushy spots or mold.

If your fruit isn’t quite ripe yet, just leave it at room temperature for a few days; it’ll wrinkle naturally and sweeten over time.

What Milk to Use

When it comes to pairing milk with passionfruit, non-dairy options are usually the way to go. The acidity in passionfruit can cause regular dairy milk to curdle if it sits for too long.

Plant-based milks like oat, almond, or soy hold up longer and won’t separate as easily. Oat milk gives the creamiest texture, while almond milk adds a subtle nuttiness that complements the fruit flavor.

If you do prefer dairy, make sure to drink your latte soon after making it. But if you want a worry-free, silky drink that stays smooth and stable, non-dairy milk is your best choice.

Tips:

• Use Ripe Passionfruit: With the tips on how to pick a ripe one in the previous section, you’ll have super sweet and slightly tart fruit that tastes amazing in this latte. If you don’t have fresh fruit, you can always use a preprocessed option.
• Use Plant-Based Milk: Non-dairy milk will mix with the fruit acidity a little better, but the protein in it can still curdle if the acidity is strong. But I like the creamy flavor it gives!
• Make Layers: This is the perfect opportunity to create a tri-color drink! Bright yellow on the bottom, white in the middle, and fresh green on top. It’s aesthetic and yummy.
• Use a Handheld Frother: If you don’t have a bamboo whisk for whisking matcha, a handheld frother works great for whisking matcha until frothy and lump-free.

Substitutions and Variations

Passionfruit Substitutions: If you can’t find fresh passionfruit, you can use frozen passionfruit pulp or store-bought passionfruit puree, just make sure it’s 100% fruit with no added sugar so you can control sweetness. You can also swap it for other tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, or guava for a similar tangy-sweet flavor combo.

Different Sweeteners: Instead of sugar, try honey, agave, or maple syrup. You can even swap it out for a sugar-free alternative like Stevia or monkfruit.

Sparkling Version: Swap the milk for sparkling water or soda water for a refreshing, fizzy passionfruit matcha spritz. It’s perfect for hot days and is basically a healthy, energizing soda.

FAQ’s

Is passionfruit matcha good?
Yes! Passionfruit and matcha might sound like an unexpected combo, but they balance each other perfectly. The tart, tropical flavor of passionfruit cuts through the bitterness of matcha. It’s super refreshing and popular in desserts!

Will the milk curdle?
It can if you use regular dairy milk and let the drink sit too long. Passionfruit is acidic, which can cause milk to separate over time. To avoid this, use plant-based milk like oat or almond, or drink it right after making it.

Can I use bottled passionfruit juice instead of fresh fruit?
Absolutely. Bottled or frozen passionfruit puree works great if you can’t find fresh passionfruit. You can add it directly into your drink, and if it’s sweetened, you can skip adding sugar!

Does passionfruit matcha have caffeine?
Yes, since matcha naturally contains caffeine. 1 tsp of matcha has around 50 mg of caffeine, which is roughly the same as one espresso shot.

Other Fruity Matcha Lattes to Try

If you like this passionfruit matcha latte, then you need to try other fruit-matcha combinations! Here are some you need to try next:

• Strawberry Matcha Latte
• Blueberry Matcha Latte
• Banana Cream Matcha Latte
• Peaches and Cream Matcha
• Guava Matcha Latte