'MATCHA' is finely powdered premium green tea leaves. Unlike most green teas, which are steeped in water and then discarded, Matcha contains the whole tea leaf in a powdered form which is ingested whole.
Traditionally consumed as a tea with warm water, Matcha has lately gained popularity world wide due to its health benefits. Matcha is very versatile and can be used in numerous ways to suit your lifestyle- hot, cold, sweet or savory. It is a popular ingredient in smoothies, lattes, ice teas, cakes, ice cream etc.
Here are some ideas to get you started on the MATCHA journey:
TRADITIONAL MATCHA RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
Tea: 1/3 tsp Organic Ceremonial Matcha powder
Water: 70-80 C, 1/3 cup
INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Warm the bowl with hot water and wipe it dry.
2) Sift 1/3 tsp matcha into the bowl.
3) Add 10-15 ml of water
Whisk vigorously using a bamboo whisk in a back and forth ('W' or 'M') stroking motion until the matcha has a thick froth. A milk frother can also be used instead of a bamboo whisk.
4) Add more water (70 ml or more to your liking) and give it a quick whisk
5) Enjoy matcha straight from the bowl.
Matcha is a powdered leaf that is suspended in hot water during whisking. Enjoy matcha immediately after whisking before the particles settle to the bottom of the bowl.
MATCHA LATTE
INGREDIENTS:
Tea: 1/2-1tsp Organic Matcha powder (culinary or ceremonial)
Water: 70-80 C, 1/4 cup
Milk: 1 cup (your choice - Almond /Coconut/ Macadamia /Cow's milk)
Optional: Sweetener - Honey/ Maple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Sift 1/2 -1tsp matcha powder into a large cup.
2) Add water and whisk vigorously (making a W or M shape) using a bamboo whisk or small metal whisk.
3) Warm the milk (optional - use a milk frother to create a froth).
4) Add milk to the matcha cup and sweeten to taste.
ICED MATCHA
INGREDIENTS:
Tea: 1 tsp Organic Matcha powder (Culinary or ceremonial)
Cold water: 1 cup
Ice: 1 cup
Optional: Ginger/Lime/mint leaves/Maple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Pour 3/4 cup of cold water into a glass filled with ice cubes.
2) Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of cold water in a jar or shaker
3) Add matcha powder (optional- garnish/flavors can be also be added)
4) Close the lid on the jar/shaker and shake it vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
5) Pour the mixed matcha over the iced water glass and stir.
Iced Matcha is ready!
To make it even easier - put all the ingredients in a blender and give it a quick whizz!
MATCHA & COCONUT WATER
Super quick and easy energy booster!
INGREDIENTS:
Tea: 1/2 tsp Organic Matcha powder (Culinary or ceremonial)
Coconut water: 1 cup (cold)
Optional: Mint leaves and lime/lemon juice
INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Pour coconut water in a mason jar or shaker bottle
2) Add Matcha powder and shake it vigorously or whizz it all in a blender and its ready!
Optional-garnish with a few mint leaves and a squeeze or lemon/lime
MATCHA BLISS BALLS
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Oats, ground into flour (quick or rolled oats)
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup Almond Meal
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1 tbsp Matcha (Culinary) powder
2 tbsp Cacao nibs or Dairy free chocolate chips
Optional : Hemp seeds and roasted museli/nuts for rolling
INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Pit the Dates and soak them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes
2) Drain the dates
3) Use a high speed blender or food processor to blend the Oats into a fine powder.
4) Add Coconut, Almond meal and Matcha powder and pulse until combined
5) Add Dates to the mixture and blend to form a uniform paste
6) Add Cacao nibs or Chocolate chips and pulse until its mixed evenly
7) Using 1 tbsp measure, scoop out the dough & roll it into balls.
(Note: it helps to have slightly wet hands for this step)
Optional : Mix shredded coconut, hemp seeds and museli / crushed up nuts on a plate and roll the balls in the mixture.
MATCHA POWER SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 tsp Matcha powder
1 Banana
1/2 cup frozen Blueberries
1 cup unsweetened Almond milk
2 tbsp yogurt
Optional:
1 tsp Cacao nibs
1 tsp Collagen
1 tsp hemp seeds
1 tsp LSA
1 tsp Maca powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put all the above ingredients in a high powered blender and give it a whizz.
Super quick and easy breakfast on the go! Try different fruits and play around with the optional ingredients -mangoes / strawberries are a good choice :)
More recipes coming up shortly!