Brewing a Unique Coffee Bean Tea Latte

Quick answer

• Select a light roast, low-acidity coffee and a complementary tea for best flavor.
• Grind coffee beans coarsely, similar to French press, to minimize bitterness.
• Brew coffee and tea separately to control strength and prevent over-extraction.
• Combine brewed coffee and tea, then add frothed milk and sweetener to taste.
• Experiment with different coffee origins and tea types to find your preferred blend.
• Adjust coffee-to-water ratio and steeping times for optimal flavor balance.
• Ensure all brewing equipment is clean to avoid off-flavors.

Who this is for

• Home baristas looking to experiment with unique coffee and tea combinations.
• Coffee enthusiasts interested in exploring new dimensions of flavor beyond traditional brewing.
• Anyone seeking a comforting, customizable beverage that blends two beloved drinks.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

The type of brewer you use for your coffee will significantly impact its flavor profile, which in turn affects your latte. For a coffee bean tea latte, a French press or pour-over often works well as they allow for full flavor extraction without excessive bitterness, especially with a coarser grind. Basket filters (often found in drip machines) can be good for larger batches, while cone filters (pour-over) offer a cleaner cup. For the tea, a simple infuser or teapot is usually sufficient.

For a coffee bean tea latte, a French press or pour-over coffee maker often works well as they allow for full flavor extraction without excessive bitterness.

Bodum 34oz Pour Over Coffee Maker, High-Heat Borosilicate Glass with Reusable Stainless Steel Filter and Cork Grip - Made in Portugal

• Pour Over Coffee: Manual Pour Over Coffee Maker allows you to brew an excellent cup of Coffee in minutes
• Stainless steel: Includes a new and improved permanent, stainless steel mesh filter that helps extract your coffee's aromatic oils and subtle flavors instead of being absorbed by a paper filter
• Coffee Carafe: Made of durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass with Cork Band detailing that is both functional and elegant; single wall
• Quick and Easy: Simply add coarse ground Coffee to filter, pour a small amount of water in a circular motion over ground Coffee until soaked then add the remaining water and let drip
• Servings: Pour Over Coffee Maker makes 8 cups of Coffee, 4 oz each; dishwasher safe

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For the tea, a simple tea infuser or teapot is usually sufficient to get started.

Reinmoson Tea Strainers for Loose Tea, Extra Fine Mesh Tea Infuser, 304 Stainless Steel & Updated Slim Threaded Lid, Loose Leaf Tea Steeper for Black Tea, Rooibos, etc

• Upgraded Micron Mesh: loose leaf tea steeper is Ideal to hold tea leaves, particles, or ground coffee. Compared to traditional tea strainer, our tea ball features 50% more ultra fine, half-sized holes for optimal tea flavor and minimal sediment leak. Ideal for rooibos, herbs, green tea, Chai, ground coffee, small tea leaves and etc.
• High-Quality Materials: Made of 304 food-grade stainless steel, tea ball infuser for loose tea is easier to be cleaned. Besides, loose tea steeper ensures no metallic taste on your tea or coffee and never rust for years of use. Money-saving and eco-friendly alternative to disposable tea bags and paper filters.
• Easy to Open and Close: With the design of thread top, the lids screw easily and are much more secure than the traditional twist lid, so the tea leaves will be held tightly and the lid never escapes during the process of brewing.
• Wide Application: tea steeper is not only for loose tea leaves but also a spice filter, infusing spices, herbs, and seasonings in soups, sauce, broths, and stews. Extended 4.3” chain with S-handle makes tea infusers can catch securely on any rim of mugs, cups, teapots, kettles, bottles, and pitchers.
• Package: Comes with 1.5” diameter and 2.2” high tea balls for loose tea and 1 saucer. The saucer is helpful for avoiding making a mess when you take out the loose leaf tea infusers after brewing.

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Water quality and temperature

Water is over 98% of your brew, so its quality matters. Use filtered water to avoid chlorine or mineral tastes that can detract from your coffee and tea. For coffee, aim for water between 195-205°F (90-96°C). For most teas, 175-205°F (79-96°C) is appropriate, though some delicate green teas prefer cooler temperatures. Using water that’s too hot can burn coffee grounds or tea leaves, leading to bitterness.

Grind size and coffee freshness

For this latte, a coarser grind (like for French press) is often preferred for the coffee. This helps prevent over-extraction and bitterness, which can clash with the tea. If using a finer grind, reduce brewing time. Always use freshly ground coffee beans; pre-ground coffee loses its aromatic compounds quickly, resulting in a flat-tasting brew. Check the roast date on your coffee – ideally, it should be within 2-3 weeks of roasting.

Coffee-to-water ratio

A good starting point for coffee is a 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio. This means for every 1 gram of coffee, you use 15-17 grams of water. For a standard 8-ounce cup, this translates to about 15-17 grams (around 2-3 tablespoons) of coffee. For tea, follow the package instructions, but generally, 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water is a good starting point. Adjust these ratios based on your desired strength and the specific coffee and tea you are using.

Cleanliness/descale status

Residual coffee oils or mineral buildup (scale) can impart stale or metallic flavors to your brew. Regularly clean your coffee maker and tea infuser. Descale your coffee machine every 1-3 months, depending on your water hardness, using a descaling solution or a vinegar-water mixture. A clean brewer ensures you taste the coffee and tea, not leftover residue.

Step-by-step how to make coffee bean tea latte

1. Select your ingredients: Choose a light-to-medium roast coffee with low acidity and a complementary tea (e.g., Earl Grey, Chai, or a mild black tea).

• Good looks like: Coffee beans that are recently roasted, and tea leaves that are fragrant and intact.
• Common mistake: Using a dark roast coffee or a very strong, bitter tea. This can overwhelm the delicate balance of the latte. Avoid by choosing beans with tasting notes you enjoy and teas known for their balance.

2. Grind your coffee beans: Grind your chosen coffee beans to a coarse consistency, similar to what you’d use for a French press.

• Good looks like: Uniform particles, roughly the size of sea salt.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine. This leads to over-extraction and bitterness in the coffee, which will dominate the latte. Avoid by using a burr grinder and setting it to a coarse setting.

3. Heat your water: Heat filtered water to the appropriate temperature for both coffee (195-205°F) and tea (check tea package, usually 175-205°F).

• Good looks like: Water at the correct temperature, indicated by a thermometer or kettle setting.
• Common mistake: Using boiling water for all teas or too cool water for coffee. This can burn tea leaves or under-extract coffee. Avoid by using a variable temperature kettle.

4. Brew your coffee: Brew your coarse-ground coffee using a French press or pour-over method. Aim for a stronger brew than usual since it will be diluted.

• Good looks like: A rich, aromatic coffee extract, free of excessive bitterness. For French press, steep 4-5 minutes; for pour-over, a controlled, even extraction.
• Common mistake: Over-steeping or too fast a pour-over. This can result in a harsh, bitter coffee. Avoid by sticking to recommended brew times and techniques.

5. Brew your tea: Steep your tea leaves in a separate vessel according to package instructions.

• Good looks like: A fragrant, flavorful tea infusion, not overly strong or astringent.
• Common mistake: Over-steeping the tea. This can make the tea bitter and tannic. Avoid by removing tea leaves promptly after recommended steep time.

6. Prepare your milk: While coffee and tea are brewing, froth your preferred milk (dairy or non-dairy) using a steamer, frother, or whisk.

• Good looks like: Creamy, micro-foamed milk with a silky texture and no large bubbles.
• Common mistake: Overheating or under-frothing the milk. This can result in scalded milk or thin, watery foam. Avoid by monitoring milk temperature and frothing technique.

7. Combine coffee and tea: In your serving mug, combine your brewed coffee and tea. Start with equal parts and adjust to taste.

• Good looks like: A balanced base liquid where neither coffee nor tea overwhelmingly dominates the other.
• Common mistake: Adding too much of one component from the start. This can make the latte unbalanced. Avoid by starting with a 1:1 ratio and tasting before adding more.

8. Add frothed milk and sweetener: Pour the frothed milk over the coffee and tea mixture. Add sweetener (sugar, honey, syrup) to your preference.

• Good looks like: A visually appealing latte with a creamy top layer, and a flavor that is harmoniously sweet and balanced.
• Common mistake: Adding too much sweetener or unevenly mixing it. This can make the latte cloyingly sweet or leave undissolved sugar. Avoid by adding sweetener gradually and stirring well.

9. Garnish (optional): Dust with cinnamon, cocoa powder, or a sprinkle of finely ground coffee for an extra touch.

• Good looks like: An aesthetically pleasing finish that enhances the overall experience.
• Common mistake: Using too much garnish or a garnish that clashes with the flavors. Avoid by using a light hand and complementary spices.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules for how to make coffee bean tea latte

• If your coffee tastes too bitter, then try a coarser grind or reduce brewing time, because bitterness often comes from over-extraction.
• If your tea tastes too weak, then use more tea leaves or increase steeping time slightly, because it might be under-extracted.
• If your latte lacks a harmonious balance, then adjust the ratio of coffee to tea, because different beans and leaves have varying strengths.
• If the overall flavor is flat, then check your coffee’s roast date and grind fresh, because stale coffee loses its aromatic compounds quickly.
• If your milk is not frothing well, then ensure it’s cold and you’re using a proper frothing technique, because cold milk froths better and technique creates microfoam.
• If you detect an off-flavor, then clean and descale your brewing equipment, because residue can impart unwanted tastes.
• If your latte is too thin, then use less water for your coffee and tea brews, because a stronger concentrate will result in a richer final drink.
• If you prefer a sweeter latte, then add your chosen sweetener gradually and taste as you go, because it’s easier to add more than to remove.
• If you want a bolder coffee presence, then increase the coffee-to-water ratio slightly for your brew, because this will create a more concentrated coffee.
• If you want a more prominent tea flavor, then steep your tea for a little longer or use a slightly higher tea-to-water ratio, because this will intensify the tea’s character.

FAQ

Can I use instant coffee for a coffee bean tea latte?

While technically possible, instant coffee is generally not recommended for a coffee bean tea latte. Its flavor profile is often less nuanced and can be more bitter, making it difficult to achieve a balanced and enjoyable latte. For best results, use freshly ground whole beans.

What kind of tea works best with coffee?

Milder black teas like Earl Grey or English Breakfast often pair well, as do chai teas for a spiced latte. Green teas can also work, but choose a less astringent variety. The key is to select a tea whose flavor complements, rather than competes with, your chosen coffee.

How do I make my coffee bean tea latte less bitter?

To reduce bitterness, ensure you’re using a coarse grind for your coffee and not over-steeping either the coffee or the tea. Also, check your water temperature; excessively hot water can extract bitter compounds. Using a lighter roast coffee can also help.

Can I make this latte iced?

Absolutely! Simply brew your coffee and tea concentrates as usual, let them cool to room temperature, then combine them over ice. Add cold milk and sweetener, stir well, and enjoy. You might want to brew the coffee and tea a little stronger to account for ice dilution.

What’s the best way to froth milk without a steamer?

You can froth milk using a French press by pumping the plunger rapidly, a whisk (either by hand or with an electric mixer), or by shaking warm milk vigorously in a sealed jar. The goal is to incorporate air and create tiny bubbles for a creamy texture.

How much caffeine is in a coffee bean tea latte?

The caffeine content will vary significantly depending on the type and amount of coffee and tea you use. A typical cup of brewed coffee has 95-200mg, while black tea has 25-48mg. Combining them will result in a higher caffeine beverage, so adjust quantities to your preference.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific coffee bean origins and their flavor profiles (e.g., Ethiopian vs. Colombian)
• Detailed milk frothing techniques for latte art
• In-depth reviews of specific coffee grinders or espresso machines
• Advanced tea blending techniques or specific tea health benefits
• The science behind coffee extraction or tea steeping chemistry
• Historical origins of coffee or tea consumption