Matcha is versatile. Already famed as a energizing, healthy drink, it has now found its way into many delicious foods. Probably the best known is Mochi Green Tea Ice Cream served in many Japanese restaurants. Inside a soft sticky rice cake is a mouth-watering Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream. Other flavors are also popular but for many, this may have been their first introduction to Matcha.
Matcha Ice Cream is hugely popular and numerous recipes can be found. One of our favorites is:
Ingredients:
1 cup of heavy cream1/4 cup of sugar1/2 cup condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 - 2 Tbsp. Matcha green tea powder
2 Tbsp. water
Directions:
1) Whisk the heavy cream and sugar together in a medium-sized bowl until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is creamy and frothy.
2) In a separate bowl, mix the matcha green tea powder in water to completely dilute the clumps of powder.
3) Add condensed milk, vanilla extract and the matcha mixture in to the bowl with the cream and sugar, mix everything together.
4) Transfer to a seal-able container and store in the freezer for 8 - 12 hours. If you have an ice-cream maker, you can use that as well, just follow the manufacturer's recommendation for mix time.
Tea Rooms and Coffee Shops have now included Matcha in their beverage line-up. The runaway favorite is obviously the Matcha Latte. But other versions are also delicious. Here are some you can try at home or order at your favorite hang-out:
MATCHA ICED LATTE
All you need are 3 ingredients:
1 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder
1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 - 2 tsp. Honey (to taste)
Simple to make:
1) In a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, mix the matcha green tea powder with a little bit of water - just enough to make a paste. Stir until you have no clumps left.
2) Add the vanilla almond milk and the honey. Cover jar with lid and shake vigorously until fully incorporated.
3) Let this sit for 1 - 2 minutes, to allow any remaining clumps to settle to the bottom. Carefully pour into a glass with ice and enjoy!
Matcha Lemonade
What makes matcha lemonade so special? It packs a huge punch of energy and within a few minutes, you can have a tall, cold pitcher of bliss!
You will need:
3 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup hot water
2 cups lemon juice
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. Matcha green tea
Lemons and Mint leaves for garnish
Directions:
1) Dissolve the Matcha green tea powder in the hot water, blend until no clumps remain.
2) Combine cold water, lemon juice, sugar, and the Matcha tea mixture in a large glass pitcher.
3) Serve chilled in a ice-filled glass, add lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.
Matcha Gin Cocktail
The perfect summer adult beverage. Make it your go-to brunch or after dinner cocktail.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup mint leaves
3/4 oz. agave or honey
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 oz. Gin
1 tsp. Matcha green tea powder
Ice
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, muddle the mint leaves with the agave or honey, and lime juice. Add the remaining ingredients and shake until well chilled and the Matcha is dissolved. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, dividing between 2 ice-filled rocks glasses and serve. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
Still in doubt about Matcha? Let our recipes below change your mind for you - they are easy, delicious and can introduce a fun way to add health and variety to your diet.
Matcha & Sesame-Crusted Salmon
Serves 2
Ingredients:
8 - 10 oz. Salmon
1/2 cup hazelnuts
2 tsp. sesame seeds
1 tsp. Matcha green tea powder
1 tsp. cumin powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup broccoli
10 asparagus spears
2/3 cup white cabbage
1/2 avocado
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup black wild rice
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350° F.
2) Crush the hazelnuts in a bowl, add sesame seeds, cumin, salt & pepper.
3) Layer this mixture on top of the Salmon and bake for 15 - 20 minutes.
4) While salmon is baking, stea the broccoli, cabbage and asparagus for 6 - 8 minutes.
5) Bring the rice to a boil, turn off heat, cover and let stand until fluffy.
6) Mix the avocado, matcha green tea powder, and olive oil together in a blender until smooth. Pour over the salmon and vegetables as a sauce.
7) Serve with the black wild rice.
White Chocolate Chip Matcha Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 Tbsp. Matcha green tea powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
2) Sift flour, Matcha green tea powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
3) In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar, using an electric mixer. Beat in the vanilla extract, egg and egg yolk until light and creamy.
4) Add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix until dough is just blended; fold in the white chocolate chips. Drop 1 heaping tablespoon of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet 2 -3 inches apart.
5) Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
