So, why would anyone pay $6.00 for a beverage from Starbucks when you can make it for way cheaper at home? You also know everything going into it when you make it yourself, and I’ll tell you what isn’t going into it – four pumps of pure sugar.

Here is what you will need to make this bevvy yourself:

• Espresso or strong coffee
• Plant-based milk (I love cashew milk)
• Pure pumpkin puree (homemade or canned)
• Maple syrup (optional)
• Pure vanilla extract
• Pumpkin pie spice (homemade or store-bought)

To make your drink more latte-ish, frothing the milk is essential. One of my favourite kitchen tools is this handheld milk frother that I purchased from amazon. It is super cheap and works so, so well. I use it every day. I highly recommend investing in a frother if you are looking to save money by creating your own coffee-based beverages.

Pumpkin pie spice can be found for purchase at most grocery stores, or online here. You can also make it yourself by combining cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and some cardamom. If you don’t often use many of these spices, I would recommend just buying it as you will have an abundance of leftovers that will just be taking up room in your pantry.

To put this yummy drink together, you first want to get your coffee ready. Brew 1-2 shots of espresso, depending on preference, in your espresso maker. Alternatively, you can use regular coffee instead. Next, combine your milk with all of the other ingredients, steam and then froth it up. Pour over espresso and top with an extra sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice and you got yourself a PSL.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Servings: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plant-based milk (I use cashew milk)
• 1 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1-2 shots of espresso (or 1/3 cup strong coffee)

Instructions:

1. Add the milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla and spice to a small pot over medium heat and whisk. When the milk begins to steam, use a milk frother for 20 seconds or until foamy.
2. While the milk is steaming, brew the espresso or coffee.
3. Pour the espresso into a tall mug and top with the frothed milk. Add a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice on top, if that’s your jam.

The post Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..

Matcha is basically green tea that has been ground up into a fine powder. It is rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamins and has countless other health benefits. Personally, I find that it tastes nothing like green tea, but has a more citrusy tone. If you haven’t had it before, you will likely want to add a bit of sweetness to cut through the bitterness and grassy taste. I like to add honey to mine, but if you are vegan, you can add maple syrup or agave.

When I first started making these lattes, I lacked technique, BIG time. The matcha wasn’t absorbing into the liquid as well as I had hoped, despite the arm workout from stirring for so long. I struggled to get the milk the perfect texture to make for a creamy, lucious drink…and it just tasted bad.

I’m no quitter though. And, since I was looking to fulfill an Amazon craving, I purchased a few things that have helped me improve my matcha game. Firstly, highly rated matcha powder, found here. The powder itself is fairly pricey regardless of where you shop, but I found this company to be fair for the quality of the product I was getting.

Secondly, to perfect my milk game, I purchased a basic milk frother. This little trinket has brought me unfathomable joy. It makes the milk creamier and more aesthetically pleasing when added to the top of the latte. It’s the simple things, really. Plus, twenty bucks for it on Amazon is a steal!

One final item that you may consider purchasing, if you are an everyday-matcha-drinker, is a matcha whisk. It is specially manufactured to help incorporate the matcha powder into the liquid that you are using, without any sediment left behind.

Alright, now that I’ve spent matcha my money purchasing helpful equipment, it’s time to perfect this drink!

Peace out, coffee. I’ve found a new matcha.

It’s a matcha made in heaven.

Matcha Latte

Serving size: 1 large mug

Prep time: 1 minute

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (I prefer cashew)
• 1 tsp. matcha powder
• 1/4 cup boiled water
• 1 tsp. honey (or any sweetner of your choice), optional
• Pinch of cinnamon, optional

Instructions:

1. Pour your milk into a heat-proof pitcher and place on a burner over medium-high heat until it begins to steam. You can also do this step in the microwave, using a glass bowl/measuring cup, or with an actual milk steamer on a professional coffee machine.
2. In a bowl, use a matcha whisk (or a regular whisk) to mix together the matcha powder with the boiled water. Do this for a while (about 30-40 seconds) to ensure the powder fully incorporates. Transfer to a large mug.
3. Stir in the sweetner, if using.
4. Use a milk frother to foam up the steamed milk for about 20 seconds. Pour into the mug and top with cinnamon, if desired.

NOTES:

If you do not have a matcha whisk, beat the matcha with your milk frother on a low speed to help it dissolve into the water before adding the sweetener and milk.

The post Matcha Latte appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..