Coffee every morning is an age-old ritual that people all over the world adore. Latte’s, cortado’s, macchiato’s, mocha’s… you name it. We love ’em, and are borderline addicted. Although there’s nothing wrong, per say, with this love of coffee, there are some delicious and arguably healthier alternatives worthy of the same adoration. Here are a few that are worth sacrificing your beloved vanilla latte one morning to try. “Latte” by definition simply means there is steamed milk with the beverage. A traditional coffee latte is made with espresso and steamed milk. These “latte’s”, however, are made with tea instead of espresso, making for a delicious new morning habit that will be satisfying and good for you.
- Matcha Green Tea Latte
Matcha is so healthy for you, you can feel good about your self with every sip. Matcha is essentially a green tea powder. According to MatchaSource, one cup of matcha has antioxidants equivalent to 10 cups of brewed green tea! The key is to make sure you are getting your matcha from a company that uses real matcha powder. Real Matcha, essentially means organic matcha leaves ground into a powder. For the sake of cost and flavor, many companies (ahem, Starbucks) add sugar, flavoring, and even other blends of tea in their “matcha”. On top of that, many will add sugary syrups to the mix. Don’t be afraid to ask for the ingredients, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you find one that is authentically good. Real matcha that is healthy for you will have an earthy taste, and for a sweet bite, I recommend adding a touch of honey.
2. Rooibos Tea Latte
Rooibos tea tends to be a bit less popular than matcha, but it deserves just as much attention. Usually enjoyed alone with steeped water, many haven’t realized how delicious it is in latte form. Rooibos tea is a caffeine free herbal tea, low in tannins, rich in antioxidants, and particularly known for improving heart health. If you are craving a latte in the morning, but are trying to take a break from the caffeine, a rooibos tea latte is a great alternative.
3. Earl Grey Latte or “London Fog”
Earl Grey is a black, caffeinated tea popular in latte’s as a drink known as a “London Fog”. A London Fog uses earl grey tea as a base, steamed milk of choice, and usually vanilla flavoring. If you’re trying to cut back on the sugar, I’d recommend opting out of the vanilla. Earl Grey tea is high in polyphenols, antioxidants and has a good amount of caffeine, so if you want that caffeine in the morning, this is a delicious tea latte to try. It is an easy transition from coffee because it still has that sweet, full mouth taste and sits warmly in your mug.
4. Masala Chai Tea Latte
Chai tea carries many variations around the globe. Chai derives from India, by definition the word chai literally means tea and is used to refer to all tea. In the U.S. and Europe, “Chai” is referring to a specific Indian tea. The word “Masala” means spiced. So, Masala Chai is what you would refer to at a coffee or tea shop to ask for a proper Chai Tea Latte. Masala Chai is usually made with a variety of spices usually including cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, and others, but depending where you go, the Chai blend varies. Many coffee shops use a sugar concoction that doesn’t even resemble the traditional Masala Chai, and it includes ingredients such as dry milk powder, natural flavoring, sugar, sugar and more sugar! To get an authentic Masala Chai Tea Latte, you will want to go to a place that uses “real” chai, even then, the recipe will vary. According to BodyAndSoul Masala Chai boasts many health benefits including reduces cancer risk, antioxidants, phytochemicals, cold prevention, metabolism boost, PMS relief, reduced bloating, boosts energy, diabetes prevention and more.
What do you think?