[Recipe] Iced Toasted Walnut Almond Latte

If Misugaru is Korea's answer to a pecan latte, Adlay powder is its answer to a toasted-nut one. Made from Job's Tears (also called Adlay, or yulmu in Korean) blended with real walnut and almond pieces, this powder already tastes like a latte before you've added anything — creamy, mildly sweet, and full of toasted nut flavor. Shaken with milk and poured over ice, it takes about a minute to turn into a full iced latte.

What Is Adlay?

Adlay (Yulmu Cha) is a traditional Korean beverage made from roasted, ground Job's Tears grain, often blended with nuts like walnut and almond. It's naturally caffeine-free, mildly sweet, and has a texture closer to a light hot chocolate than a typical tea — which is exactly what makes it work so well as an iced latte base.

Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

• 1 packet Walnut Almond Adlay powder (Yulmu Cha) (40g)
• 230 ml milk (or oat/almond milk)
• Ice
• Optional: cinnamon, whipped cream

Instructions

1. Pour the milk into a shaker first, then add the powder packet.
2. Seal and shake well until fully combined.
3. Pour over a glass full of ice and enjoy.

Milk First, Powder Second

As with Damtuh's other roasted grain powder, the order matters. Adding the powder to a glass and stirring it in tends to leave clumps behind, no matter how long you stir. Pouring the milk into the shaker first and adding the powder after gives it something to disperse into immediately once you start shaking, so it comes out fully smooth before it ever hits the ice.

Getting the Iced-Latte Look

Shake it hard, then pour it over a glass packed with ice — that's what gives it the classic iced-latte look and texture, rather than a thin, watered-down finish. Top it with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon for the full café effect. Prefer it hot on a cold day? Just warm the milk and stir the tea packet in instead of shaking — no shaker needed for the hot version.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Adlay powder taste like? It has a mellow, nutty flavor from the walnut and almond, with a subtle natural sweetness from the roasted Job's Tears grain — closer to a light hot chocolate or horchata than a typical tea.

Is this the same as Job's Tears powder? Yes — Adlay, Job's Tears, and Yulmu (the Korean name) all refer to the same grain. Damtuh's version blends it with walnut and almond for extra flavor and texture.

Can I make the iced version without a shaker? Yes — a blender works as a substitute. Add the milk, tea packet, and a handful of ice to the blender and blend until smooth for a thicker, milkshake-style version.

Is Adlay powder caffeine-free? Yes. Since it's made from roasted grain and nuts rather than tea leaves, it contains no caffeine, making it a good afternoon or evening alternative to iced coffee.