Flavoured matcha lattes are everywhere at the moment – from plain vanilla to blueberry, gingersnap and even banana bread, the possibilities are endless. Matcha, the bright green powder made from shade-grown green tea leaves, is said to have health benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties, and studies have shown that it may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

While the flavoured versions might not be as virtuous as the plain, non-sweetened options, I’m hooked. But at a cost of around £4 per cup from a coffee shop, my favourite afternoon treat is becoming a pricey habit.

So, I was thrilled when I got the chance to try Bird & Blend Tea Co’s Matcha Latte Magic Whisk. Retailing at £99, it claims to be the world’s first machine “designed for perfect hot or iced matcha lattes at home”. Bird & Blend also sent me its Magical Matcha Selection Box with 12 flavours including peaches and cream, birthday cake, buttermint and lemon matcha.

The short answer is no. Many people make matcha lattes at home, and there are various methods for doing so. Unlike instant coffee or chocolate powder, matcha doesn’t dissolve, and aficionados say that it needs to be rapidly aerated to achieve the velvety, smooth texture we’ve come to expect from our drinks.  

Some swear by a traditional bamboo whisk – a chasen – which can be bought widely for under £10. These have finer, flexible prongs than kitchen whisks. Another option is a hand-held electric milk frother. While a standard one will do, some report that they are prone to producing bigger bubbles and can struggle to tackle lumps. Aerolatte makes a £19 model specifically designed for matcha. The brand says this goes at the optimum speed, and has a nylon whisk head for making silky, frothy matcha lattes.

All of these options are more faff and messier than a one-and-done machine, but are also considerably cheaper. I was intrigued to see whether the Bird & Blend machine would be worth the considerable spend. 

The Magic Whisk comes in two styles – Bamboo Gloss, the one I tried (pictured), or a brushed stainless steel. The large black ‘power’ button doesn’t do much for aesthetics, but it looks fine on the counter top or can be stashed away in a cupboard. 

I found the blending process surprisingly simple. For a hot drink, you add 250ml of milk and press the button to set the whisk attachment spinning.

After a couple of seconds, sprinkle half a teaspoon of your chosen matcha powder over the milk. You then put the lid on and wait around two minutes for the whisk to stop, before pouring the frothy latte into a mug.

To make an iced latte, use 125ml of milk, follow the same steps and pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice before topping up with 125ml cold milk.

Taking less than three minutes from preparation to steaming cup, the matcha maker delivered a perfectly smooth, slightly frothy cup every time with not a clump in sight.

The lattes were not as sweet as my usual coffee shop selection, but this was easily remedied by adding a few drops of syrup to the spinning milk.

You have to be a little careful when washing out the whisk to ensure the base does not get wet, but this was easy enough.

I was impressed by the results, but the machine is undoubtedly an investment. To weigh up the value, I looked at my own matcha habit. 

Refill packs of matcha cost around £22 for 30 cups. If you set aside the initial £99 cost for the machine, then this works out at around 73p per cup.

Buying an average of two matcha lattes per week at a coffee shop would set me back around £416 per year, compared to roughly £75.92 per year with the Magic Whisk. According to my matcha maths, that means I could save around £340 annually by making all my lattes at home.

If you’re a fairly frequent matcha drinker, this could definitely work out as the cheaper option. Having tried it, I’m confident that I would use it often enough to recoup the money back. I do think it would make a great gift for any matcha latte lovers. 

Shoppers mostly seem to agree. One review describes the machine as an “absolute game-changer”. That user adds: “This is the best kitchen gadget I’ve bought in years.”

Another describes the drinks as “super creamy and delicious”, adding: “Very easy to clean after use. I bought the matcha selection box and working my way through the different flavours, I’ve loved them all so far.”

However, one user complains that you have to wait for the matcha to cool down if making an iced latte. They add: “If it was half the price I’d be fine with it but struggling to see why it’s £99.”