Don't ask how many failed attempts we made before *finally* figuring out why our homemade tea lattes we're just so meh. (It spanned literal years!)

To no one's surprise, it turned out to be both the ingredients and technique.

Just as coffee lattes combine a concentrated brewed base with creamy milk or alt-milk, the same rules of balance hold true for tea favorites. Your normal cup of earl grey or chai (no matter how long its brewed) won't hold up its end of the flavor pairing.

But you know what does? Tea powder!

@coolstorybuffalo Okay but have you been making your tea lattes all wrong or was it just us 👀 @cupofjustine #buffalony #makersoftiktok #coolstory ♬ original sound - coolstorybuffalo

Tea powders – for chai and london fog lattes – are go-to option for tea snobs *like us* because it lets the tea have its moment ⭐️ Justine at Cup of Communitea, who first introduced us to this magic ingredient, grinds her own tea powders in a matcha press. And just like in its original form, the powder blooms when added to hot water, brewing a dynamic tea latte base that stands up.

ultimate london fog & chai latte

• 1 tsp. latte powder, earl grey or chai 
• 1 oz. tea simple syrup, earl grey or chai
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 12 oz. milk or nondairy alt. of your choice

Pour 2 oz. hot water into a tall mug or heat-safe cup. Add latte powder and froth until you see foam form on the top layer and powder is thoroughly incorporated, about one minute. (Trust us! Under-foaming will leave with you a sadly grainy latte.) Add simple syrup.

Add vanilla extract to the milk and steam. Pour steamed milk into the latte base, and stir to combine.