There is no denying that Matcha is one of the most talked-about ingredients on the planet at the moment. The health benefits that are associated with this drink are truly astonishing.
Matcha is packed with antioxidants. It enhances concentration and mood. It is also rich in vitamins, chlorophyll, and fiber, as well as relaxing the body and calming the mind. It can detoxify naturally and effectively, as well as burning calories and boosting your metabolism. There have also been claims of matcha help ease the symptoms of tinnitus. Of course, this does not mean you’ll get all of these hearing aid benefits from drinking matcha, but combining the two is certainly worthwhile! Oh, and did we mention it can help with radiant skin too?
Most people consume Matcha by combining it with hot water and enjoying it as a delicious and naturally sweet tea. However, there are many different ways for you to enjoy this powerful superfood. Here are some suggestions:
Matcha Latte
If you are someone who enjoys a cup of coffee, you can switch to a Matcha latte for a healthy alternative. All you need to do is add 50ml of hot water to your mug. After this, add a quarter of a teaspoon of Matcha green tea powder and whisk until the mixture becomes frothy. Finally, add 200ml of steamed milk and stir. It is as simple as that!
Matcha Ice Cream
To make Matcha ice cream, you will need to grab a large bowl and fill it with ice water. Then, add one tbsp. of cornstarch and 30ml of whole milk to another bowl. Whisk it and set aside. Take a third bowl and mix 2 tbsp. of Matcha powder with ½ a cup of double cream, and whisk.
Grab a saucepan and combine 2/3 cup of sugar, 1 and ¼ cups of double cream, and 320ml of whole milk. Mix until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, take the cornstarch mixture and gradually mix it in. You should then cook this on medium-high heat for about a minute until it has thickened slightly. Pour this mixture into the bowl with the Matcha and cream. After this, whisk in an eighth of a teaspoon of salt. You will then need to place the bowl in the ice water for around 20 minutes. Refrigerate for a minimum of four hours.
After this, simply place into an ice cream maker and follow the instructions. When complete, put the mixture in the freezer for at least another four hours.
Matcha White Chocolate Brownies
Begin by flouring and greasing a baking pan and preheat the oven to 350. After this, grab a large bowl and combine six ounces of white chocolate and six tbsp. of butter. Heat in the microwave until melted.
Next, stir in a quarter of a tsp. of Matcha powder and two eggs until they are combined, then add a quarter of a tsp. of almond extract, half a teaspoon of vanilla, and one cup of flour. After, stir in half a cup of white chocolate chips and half a cup of toasted almonds.
You then need to pour this mix into the baking pan and cook until it is lightly browned. Delicious!
How to tell good Matcha from bad
Not all Matcha is created equally, which is why you do need to be cautious when purchasing. Use these tips to help determine whether you have good or poor quality Matcha on your hands:
- Color – The first thing you should look at is the color of the Matcha. All Matcha powder should be a vibrant, spring green color. If it’s not, you should be concerned. Matcha should never be a murky green shade nor should it have a brown or yellow tinge. If it does, it is likely that the leaves were not shaded correctly during growth, or the stems and veins have not been discarded and have been powdered with the leaves.
- Smell – The next test you need to do is the smell test. Matcha should always have a fresh and inviting scent. It should never smell stale. If it does, it’s probably past its prime and could have branches included.
- Touch – The touch of the powder is important, as it should feel extremely fine and silky. Unfortunately, there are some companies that use air pressure to pulverize Matcha in order to reduce expenditure, yet this can result in Matcha that feels coarse.
Taste – Finally, the most vital attribute of them all is, of course, the taste of Matcha. Matcha should be naturally sweet, so much so that there is no need to add sugar or any other sweeteners. It should taste fresh and scrumptious. If it doesn’t, you’ve got poor quality Matcha on your hands.