Tahini Latte Recipe: Creamy, Nutty and Ready in 5 Minutes
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Tahini has moved from the hummus bowl to the coffee cup. In March 2025, Yelp reported that searches for tahini lattes were up about 900% year over year, as cafés rolled out salted tahini lattes and tahini cold brews. The appeal is easy to understand: sesame paste brings a toasty, nutty richness and a creamy texture, even with plant milk. If you want to know how to make a tahini latte at home, you need just four ingredients and five minutes: tahini, a little honey or maple syrup, a pinch of salt and espresso, topped with steamed milk.
Here is the base recipe, a salted honey version, a halva-inspired cardamom twist, an iced tahini cold brew and the tricks that keep it smooth rather than gritty.
In this article
- Why tahini works in coffee
- How to make a tahini latte
- Variations
- Iced tahini cold brew
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
Why tahini works in coffee
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, a staple of Middle Eastern cooking. Its flavor is toasty and gently bitter, which echoes the roasted notes in coffee rather than fighting them. Its natural fat makes the drink feel creamy, so it shines with oat or almond milk, and a pinch of salt turns it into something close to salted caramel.
Market researchers also note that more cafés, especially boutique and wellness-focused ones, have been adding tahini drinks to their menus. You do not need a café, though: a jar of tahini lasts for months in the pantry.
Choosing your tahini
- Runny is better. Look for a smooth, pourable tahini. Thick, dry tahini is harder to blend.
- Stir the jar. The oil separates on top; stir thoroughly before measuring.
- Light vs dark. Tahini from hulled seeds is milder; unhulled or dark-roasted tahini is more bitter and intense.
How to make a tahini latte
Ingredients (1 latte, about 12 oz / 350 ml)
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tahini, well stirred | 1 tbsp | 15 g |
| Honey or maple syrup | 1–2 tsp | 7–14 g |
| Fine salt | 1 small pinch | 1 small pinch |
| Espresso | 2 shots (2 oz) | 60 ml |
| Milk (oat, almond or dairy) | 8 oz | 240 ml |
Method
- Make the paste. In your mug, stir tahini, honey and salt together until smooth.
- Add the espresso a little at a time, whisking constantly, until you have a smooth, glossy mixture. Adding liquid slowly prevents lumps.
- Steam or froth the milk to about 140–150°F (60–65°C).
- Pour the milk into the mug and stir once.
- Finish with a drizzle of tahini, a pinch of flaky salt or toasted sesame seeds.
Blender shortcut: put tahini, honey, salt, espresso and hot milk in a blender and blend for 10 seconds. You get a smooth, foamy latte without a frother. Vent the lid and start on low; hot liquids expand.
No espresso machine? Use ½ cup (120 ml) of strong coffee from a moka pot, AeroPress or French press.
Variations
Salted tahini honey latte
Use honey, increase the salt to a generous pinch and finish with flaky salt on the foam. It is the café favorite for a reason. If you like honey in coffee generally, see our tips on coffee with honey.
Halva-inspired cardamom latte
Add ⅛ tsp ground cardamom and a drop of vanilla to the paste. The flavor recalls halva, the sesame confection eaten across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Date-sweetened tahini latte
Blend 1–2 soft pitted dates with the tahini, espresso and milk instead of honey for a caramel-like sweetness.
Chocolate tahini mocha
Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder and an extra teaspoon of maple syrup. Sesame and chocolate work like peanut butter and chocolate, only more grown-up.
Lighter version
Use 2 tsp tahini, skip the sweetener and let a smooth, chocolatey coffee do the work. Unsweetened almond milk keeps it light.
Iced tahini cold brew
- Whisk 1 tbsp tahini, 2 tsp maple syrup and a pinch of salt with 2 tbsp warm water until smooth.
- Add 6 oz (180 ml) cold brew and stir or shake in a jar.
- Pour over ice and top with 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) cold oat milk.
Tahini firms up in the cold, so always thin it with a little warm water first. For the cold brew itself, our guide to how to make cold brew covers ratios and timing, and our iced latte recipe shows the espresso-based version.
Make a week of tahini sweetener
If you drink tahini lattes often, mix a batch: whisk ½ cup (120 g) tahini, ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey, ¼ cup (60 ml) warm water and ½ tsp salt until smooth. Keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week and use about 2 tablespoons per latte. Stir before using, since it thickens when cold; a few seconds in warm water loosens it again.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Lumps or grit | Liquid added too fast, or thick tahini | Whisk espresso in slowly, or use a blender |
| Oil slick on top | Tahini not emulsified | Blend or froth the whole drink for 10 seconds |
| Too bitter | Dark or unhulled tahini, or dark roast | Use hulled tahini, more sweetener, a medium roast |
| Flat flavor | No salt | Add a pinch; it brings out the nuttiness |
| Too thick | Too much tahini | Use 2 tsp, or add more milk |
Allergy note
Sesame is a common food allergen. If you are making tahini lattes for guests, tell them what is in the cup.
Best coffee for a tahini latte
Tahini loves coffees with cocoa and nut notes and low acidity. Our Brazil Santos is a balanced medium roast with cocoa undertones, gentle nuttiness and low acidity, an ideal match. For the iced version, Cold Brew Coffee is a dark French roast blend ground coarse for a smooth, low-acid, naturally sweet concentrate. And if you like the salted caramel direction, Caramel flavored coffee adds buttery sweetness without syrup. More choices in our best sellers.
Tahini latte FAQ
What does a tahini latte taste like?
Nutty, toasty and creamy, a little like a salted caramel latte crossed with halva. The sesame flavor is noticeable but gentle under the milk.
Can I put tahini in coffee without milk?
Yes. Blend a teaspoon of tahini with hot black coffee for a creamy, dairy-free cup. Blending is key to avoid an oily layer.
Is tahini latte dairy-free?
It can be. Tahini is plant-based, so use oat, almond or soy milk and maple syrup instead of honey for a fully vegan drink.
How much tahini should I use?
About 1 tablespoon (15 g) per 12 oz latte. Start with 2 teaspoons if you are new to the flavor.
Does tahini go bad?
It keeps for months, but its oils can turn rancid over time. If it smells sharp or paint-like, replace it.
Sources
- “Open Sesame: Tahini Latte Searches Surge 900% on Yelp,” The Food Institute, April 2025. foodinstitute.com
Facts checked in October 2026.
Keep reading: Iced Latte Recipe · Coffee With Honey · Best sellers