It’s officially the holiday season and the end of 2020, and what a year it’s been. If you’re like me, I think we could all use a warm and toasty hug in a mug. So here’s my version of a black sesame oat milk latte.
This latte is a warm and cozy hot beverage to enjoy in the colder winter months. It’s a nice mix of toasted and nutty black sesame, creamy oat milk, aromatic vanilla, and a touch of sweetness from honey. It’s great to sip anytime you’re feeling like a sweet treat. And, it’s dairy free and caffeine free, which makes it a nice option for an afternoon beverage that isn’t coffee or tea.
In Chinese medicine, black foods are associated with the Kidneys, supporting longevity and the reproductive systems and strengthening bones. Black sesame seeds strengthen the Liver and Kidneys, build Yin and nourish Blood, and are thought to darken grey hair. They also contain calcium, protein, phosphorus, iron and magnesium.
Ingredients
Serves 1
1 cup oat milk
3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon raw honey
Directions
Combine oat milk and sesame seeds in a small saucepan on the stove. Bring the mixture to a low simmer (there should be small bubbles in the milk, but no big bubbles like it’s boiling). Add vanilla extract and continue to gently simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sesame seeds should smell nice and toasted, but not burnt. After 5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Gently pour the milk and seeds into a blender, add honey, and blend on high to combine until frothy. Strain the liquid out through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into a mug. Sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top and enjoy!
Substitutions / Alterations
This recipe works well with any type of dairy or non-dairy milk of choice. I found that I liked the oat milk the most for the rich and creamy taste and frothy milk consistency.
Make this recipe entirely vegan by swapping the honey for agave or maple syrup.
Use whatever type of blender you have at home, but a high speed blender works really well for getting the milk to that light frothy consistency.
If you’re using a fine strainer to strain out the liquid, you can use the back of a small spoon to press all the liquid out the sesame seed solids.
References
Recipe is inspired by the black sesame latte by Root and Bones.
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Stoger, E., & Gamble, A. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd Edition. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, Inc.
Pitchford, Paul. (2002). Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, 3rd Edition. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Wang, Y., Sheir, W., & Ono, M. (2010). Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.