Korean café lattes now come in single-serve sticks. Danongwon (다농원), a Korean tea maker in Eumseong, makes the three we carry: a matcha latte, an ube coconut latte and an ube grain latte. Each stick already holds the milk base and the sugar, so hot water and a quick stir are all you need. Here is how the three differ and how to make each one hot or iced.
Matcha vs ube coconut vs ube grain latte: which one should you pick?
| Latte | Flavor base | Taste | Per stick | Contains | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matcha latte | Korean green tea powder | Earthy green tea with soft milk sweetness | 16 g, about 60 kcal, 9 g sugars | Milk, soy | You want a classic green tea latte |
| Ube coconut latte | Ube and purple sweet potato powder, coconut cream | Vanilla-like ube with a nutty coconut finish | 18 g, about 80 kcal, 9 g sugars | Milk, soy, coconut | You like rich, dessert-style drinks |
| Ube grain latte | Ube powder and a roasted mix of 19 grains and beans | Toasty, nutty and gently sweet | 18 g, about 70 kcal, 8 g sugars | Wheat, milk, soy (also barley, oats) | You like misugaru or roasted grain flavors |
Calories are rounded from the Korean package (64, 76 and 72 kcal per stick). Every box holds 10 sticks, and all three are made in Korea in a HACCP-certified facility.
Korean matcha latte: green tea in one stick
Danongwon's matcha latte pairs green tea powder from Korea (가루녹차) with skim milk, vegetable cream and sugar. It pours a bright green cup with a gentle, grassy note and is sweet straight from the stick. Pure matcha powder is different: it is 100% green tea, unsweetened and traditionally whisked. Choose pure matcha for baking or traditional tea, and the latte mix for an easy sweet drink at home or at the office. It contains green tea, so it is not caffeine-free.
Ube coconut vs ube grain latte: what is the difference?
Both start with ube powder from the Philippines and purple sweet potato powder for their lavender color, plus a taro flavoring. The ube coconut latte adds coconut cream powder made with 82% coconut milk, so it tastes richer and more tropical. The ube grain latte adds a roasted mix of 19 grains and beans, including barley, brown rice, oats, black beans and Job's tears, so it tastes toasty and nutty, a little like a sweetened misugaru latte. The grain latte lists no coffee or tea in its ingredients.
What is ube, and is it the same as taro?
No. Ube (Dioscorea alata) is a purple yam widely used in Filipino desserts, with a mellow, vanilla-like sweetness. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a different root with a paler lilac color and a nuttier taste, the classic bubble-tea flavor. Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a third plant with deep purple flesh. Danongwon's ube lattes use ube and purple sweet potato powder, with taro flavoring for aroma.
How do you make a latte with one stick?
| Latte | Hot | Iced |
|---|---|---|
| Matcha latte | Stir 1 stick into 2.7 to 3.4 fl oz (80 to 100 mL) of hot water or hot milk | Dissolve 1 stick in 0.7 fl oz (20 mL) of hot water, add 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of cold water or milk, then fill with ice |
| Ube coconut latte | Stir 1 stick into 2.7 fl oz (80 mL) of hot water or hot milk | Dissolve 1 stick in 1 fl oz (30 mL) of hot water or milk, add 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of cold water, then fill with ice |
| Ube grain latte | Stir 1 stick into 2.7 fl oz (80 mL) of hot water or hot milk | Dissolve 1 stick in 1 fl oz (30 mL) of hot water or milk, add 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of cold water, then fill with ice |
- Water or milk? Water is enough because the milk base is already in the stick. Hot milk, oat milk or soy milk makes a richer cup.
- Layered ube latte: dissolve the stick in a little hot water, pour it over ice, then slowly add cold milk for a purple-and-white café look.
- Stronger or lighter: use a little less water for a bolder cup and more for a lighter one. Mix each stick right after you open it.
Three café-style ideas
- Matcha frappé: blend 2 matcha latte sticks with 4 fl oz (120 mL) of milk and a glass of ice, then top with whipped cream.
- Matcha yogurt bowl: stir 1 stick into 3.5 oz (100 g) of Greek yogurt, then add granola, honey and fruit.
- Latte ice cream topping: dissolve 1 matcha or ube stick in 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) of hot water and pour it over vanilla ice cream.
Allergens and good to know
- Matcha latte: contains milk and soy. Contains green tea, so it is not caffeine-free.
- Ube coconut latte: contains milk and soy, and also contains coconut.
- Ube grain latte: contains wheat, milk and soy, plus barley, oats and coconut oil, so it is not gluten-free.
All three are made in a facility that also processes shellfish, peach, buckwheat, walnut (a tree nut) and peanut; the matcha and ube coconut lattes share that facility with wheat as well. Sugar is the first ingredient in each stick, so enjoy them as a sweet drink. Store the box in a dry, cool place. If you are pregnant or nursing, take any medication, or are under medical care, consult your healthcare provider before use. Enjoy in moderation.
Quick answers
Do I need to add milk?
No. All three sticks already contain a milk base and sugar, so hot water alone makes a creamy latte. Milk is optional for a richer cup.
Which latte stick is the least sweet?
The ube grain latte has the least sugar per stick (8 g, against 9 g for the other two), and its roasted grain base keeps the taste gentle.
Are any of them gluten-free?
None is labeled gluten-free. The ube grain latte contains wheat, barley and oats, and the other two are made in a facility that also processes wheat.
Are these lattes made in Korea?
Yes. Danongwon makes all three in Korea in a HACCP-certified facility, using Korean green tea powder for the matcha latte and ube powder from the Philippines for the ube lattes. We ship them from our New Jersey warehouse.
See all three, plus zero-sugar kombucha and apple cider vinegar sticks, in our Korean drink sticks collection. Prefer an unsweetened roasted grain drink? Try Korean black barley tea. Orders placed by 2 PM ET on business days ship the same day from New Jersey, with free shipping on orders of $60 or more.
