Bird & Blend’s Matcha Latte Magic Whisk: The ultimate Gen Z kitchen accessory

Where even the faintest aroma of a pumpkin spice latte signals the presence of a Millennial, so too do matcha lattes of varying brightly hued flavour profiles serve as a symbol of Gen Z.

Whether you’re strolling down the streets of trendy Shoreditch or marvelling at shop windows in Marylebone, one thing’s for sure: you’ll come across more than one chic spot offering a variety of matcha-flavoured goods.

Gone are the days of cringeworthy “coffee diversion here” road signs; nowadays, all it takes is a flash of green and an arrow pointing in the direction of a café with distinct mid-century aesthetics, and those samba-clad feet pivot so fast you might just see smoke. So much so that a global shortage of matcha appears to be brewing, as Japanese farmers fight to meet the skyrocketing demand.

Artisinally crafted from finely ground tea leaves, both ceremonial-grade matcha powder (made from shade-grown tea leaves with a subtle creamy, sweet flavour) and culinary-grade matcha powder (made from the lower parts of the tea plant and more astringent in flavour) are at risk of commercial shortage. This is a big problem for cafés that have garnered a cult following thanks to various blueberry/lavender/vanilla/strawberry/mango-infused matcha drinks.

I am therefore choosing to take this recent news as a sign to stop being lazy and start making matcha at home. When it comes to iced lattes, the process is a breeze, and there’s really no excuse not to indulge in the refreshing caffeine boost from the comfort of my own kitchen. Sure, I won’t necessarily achieve the same lightly frothed finish as a professionally made latte, but it does the job.

It's when I’m craving a piping hot matcha latte, however, that I run into a roadblock. I’d rather pop to a café and pay a small premium than endure watching as my oat milk slowly heats up in a saucepan, praying that it won’t burn due to my lack of electric frother. This is where Bird & Blend’s latest innovation, the Matcha Latte Magic Whisk (RRP £99), is set to be my personal saviour. Designed by the UK-based tea experts and engineered by award-winning British appliance manufacturer, Dualit, it’s a match(a) made in heaven.

Keep scrolling for my full review.

Key specifications

Design and user-friendliness

Realised much like a simple, miniature kettle, the Magic Whisk is nevertheless slightly larger than a standard Nespresso frother. Size-wise, it sits somewhere between a handheld bullet blender and a Velvetiser. I adore when a kitchen appliance is void of a ridiculous excess of bells and whistles, and the only button on this device is the ‘on’ switch. The timer is automatic, and the whisk and basket mechanism adheres magnetically to the base, which is incredibly satisfying and surprisingly sturdy.

If you’re a fan of crazy matcha flavours and pairings, you’ll want to invest in some of Bird & Blend’s flavoured range, which includes bonkers blends like Honey Bunny, Mint Choc Chip, Ice Cream, Banana and Salted Caramel. I personally don’t have much of a sweet tooth and prefer my matcha lattes plain and ceremonial-grade.

Functionality

Thanks to the device’s built-in timer, all I had to do was fill the vessel with my milk of choice (oat, in case you were wondering) to the max line, press start and then scatter in a teaspoon of my favourite matcha powder before popping on the lid. In just two minutes, with no ridiculous queue and overworked barista in sight, I had a perfectly frothed, bright green and piping hot delight.

Ultra-smooth microfoam aside, I was particularly impressed by the device’s silent operation. Perfect for those who get in trouble with flatmates and partners for loudly grinding coffee beans early in the morning. Opting for matcha instead will not only prevent a caffeine crash later down the line, but it’ll keep the peace in your household.

When it comes to the craft of matcha, however, the brilliant but lazy device does encourage one to bypass the traditional green tea ceremony – which is not only wonderfully meditative, but an incredibly important part of Japanese culture. The appliance has, however, prevented me from whisking splashes of fluorescent tea onto my clothes at the office.

Verdict

Bird & Blend Matcha Latte Magic Whisk

Bird & Blend’s Matcha Latte Magic Whisk is a fantastic addition to any green tea-obsessed household. Small enough to pop into a cupboard when not in use but large enough to produce a satisfying, creamy and perfectly frothed matcha latte of dreams – it may be pricey, but it’ll certainly save regular matcha drinkers a fortune in the long haul by preventing those spontaneous trips to local sencha watering holes.

Thanks to the UK-based tea expert and British appliance manufacturers Dualit, barista-grade, piping-hot matcha lattes are finally accessible from home. If the ceremonial aspect of matcha remains important to you, I’d give the device a skip.

Buy now £99.00, Bird & Blend