This cozy matcha latte with figs and honey has a unique combination of flavors that you're going to love. The marriage of sweet honey, fruity figs, and delicate matcha is so special and different. If you've never made a fig matcha before, prepare to be amazed!
This simple but complexly-flavored honey and fig matcha latte recipe celebrates one of nature's greatest gifts: fresh, decadent, flavorful figs. And because figs actually have two seasons each year (more on this below), this is a matcha latte recipe that you can enjoy in both the spring and the fall. Try it iced on a warm May day, then enjoy it hot on a chilly October day.
Ready to dive in? In the sections below I'll share information about how to buy and use fresh figs, how to make a fig honey syrup to sweeten and flavor the matcha, and where to get the best matcha. I'll also provide a great discount on premium matcha. I'm excited for you to experience this combination!
In case you're not familiar, figs are a delicious type of fruit that grow widely in low/middle latitude regions like the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and California. There are actually about 800 different species of figs, which vary between tropical and subtropical climates. Figs have been cultivated by humans for many thousands of years.
Although most people are familiar with dried figs (and dried fig products like cookies and my famous dried fig jam), fresh figs are an incredible seasonal treat. They have a succulent, juicy texture and a fruity, earthy flavor. Depending on where you are, you'll see figs of all different sizes, with exterior colors from bright green to deep purple, and interior colors from light pink to deep red. You can use any type in this fresh fig matcha latte, as long as they're ripe.
The main fig season is in the fall, from about August through November. You'll be able to find figs most reliably during this time, especially if you don't live in a region where they're grown. There's also a smaller, shorter fig season in the late spring; this is called the "breba crop" and specifically refers to figs that fruit on the previous year's branch growth.
Unlike most fruits, figs do not ripen off the tree. So, unlike an avocado or banana, you can't buy them unripe and wait for them to be ready. Accordingly, figs have a very short season and are hard to transport due to their softness; it's part of what makes them feel so special and transient.
Never buy figs without feeling them. Avoid figs that are firm since their insides will lack flavor and juiciness. Instead, look for figs that feel very plump and soft to the touch, as if they're almost ready to burst open. Using ripe fruit is the best way to ensure that this fig matcha recipe will turn out flavorful and distinctive.
You can find fresh figs at the farmers market, if you're in a region where they're grown. You may also be able to find them at Whole Foods or equivalent artisan grocery stores, and sometimes even Trader Joe's. However, be aware that some stores try to sell them unripe since they're easier to transport.
Fresh figs are best treated very simply since they're a special (and sometimes pricey) ingredient. Just slice them up and use them to top salads (like this fig and pomegranate salad), cheese plates, flatbreads (after cooking), or fruit platters. They're especially wonderful alongside salty ingredients like cheese and/or creamy ingredients like avocado. For avocado fans, check out this holiday fig and pomegranate guacamole. If you enjoy cocktails, then you'll love this honey fig gin and tonic. Figs excel alongside Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and autumnal flavors.
This fig-infused matcha relies upon a syrup to get all that wonderful, decadent fig flavor into a drinkable form. In this case, since we're using flavorful honey to sweeten the matcha, we'll be making a honey syrup instead of the more typical simple syrup.
Generally speaking, a simple syrup is just a 1:1 mixture of sugar and water, often with added flavors. It's a great way to capture ingredients that are difficult to get into a liquid form otherwise. Because figs are pulpy, they're not easy to add to a drink. In this recipe, you'll make the fig syrup with honey instead of granulated sugar for even more flavor.
A simple syrup is easy and quick to make. Here, because we're using honey instead of sugar, we'll start with a 1:2 mixture of honey and water. Add the flavorings (in this case fresh figs) and cook it over a low simmer until the liquid has reduced by about half. The resulting syrup will be light pink in color and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, then store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can use the leftover cooked figs to mix into yogurt or oatmeal, or to spoon on top of ice cream.
If you don't eat honey, you can still make this cozy matcha latte by using a fig simple syrup instead of a fig honey syrup. Just substitute a quarter cup of granulated sugar for the honey in the recipe, then follow the same directions.
Here's what you'll need for this fresh fig matcha latte recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
If you love matcha, then you've come to the right place. I'm a huge matcha fan and have lots of matcha recipes here for you to explore. If you're interested in other matcha lattes, you'll love this blue lilac matcha for spring and this tropical coconut matcha for summer. Matcha works great in a smoothie too; this green electrolyte and protein smoothie is my morning go-to.
Like matcha treats? For an easy, satisfying nibble, check out this honey matcha freezer fudge. Or, if you're a chocolate lover, I think you'll enjoy these raw vegan matcha brownie bites.
Since matcha plays a starring role in this fresh fig latte, you'll want to make sure you use a premium matcha that's bright green and has a delicate flavor with no grassy or bitter notes. My go-to is Matcha Nude; it's the only matcha I use at home and I recommend it so highly. Use the code ROGUE to get 15% off your order.
Aren't you excited to try this honey and fig matcha latte? I love that it's simple to make and uses just a few ingredients, yet feels special and decadent. Something about fresh figs always seems exotic and luxurious, and this matcha recipe is a wonderful way to celebrate them.
Whether you just want to make a special latte for yourself or you're hosting visitors (or a brunch party!) during fig season, make sure to bookmark this recipe. You can easily make a big batch of the fig honey syrup and keep it in the refrigerator all week. That way, when you want to make this show-stopping fig matcha, it will only take a few minutes; it's perfect for everything from busy fall mornings to Thanksgiving house guests. Cheers!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
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Disclosure: This recipe has been developed through a paid partnership with Matcha Nude. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.
This fresh fig matcha latte combines succulent ripe figs, sweet honey, and vibrant matcha for a cozy, seasonal drink you’ll crave all fall.
For the Fig Infused Honey Syrup
For the Honey Fig Matcha Latte
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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