If you’re not drinking Matcha yet, you should be! Made from the shade-grown Camellia sinensis plant, Matcha green tea is hand-picked, steamed, dried then stone ground, all while being hidden from any and all sunlight to prevent any loss on it’s magnificent green color (that comes from the high chlorophyll content). Matcha is also considered to be one of the most powerful and wholesome super foods out there, due to it’s amazing benefits. One cup of Matcha has 10 times the amount of antioxidants than a typical green tea!
That’s right – 10 times!
Matcha green tea was discovered over 800 years ago by a Buddhist Monk. The Japanese Monks began to drink Matcha everyday to keep their focus during long periods of meditation, as the tea was able to give them a boost of lasting energy. After that, Matcha became an essential part of Japanese culture, and even today has become a worldwide desirable tea to enjoy.
Not only is Matcha full of amazing health benefits, it can also be used in a variety of ways other than drinking it as a hot tea. We’ve compiled a list of different ways to use Matcha, from beverages to using it topically.
- Baking With Matcha
Matcha is so versatile that you can use it in a number of different recipes that are bound you get you drooling. Not only does it give your goodies a brilliant emerald green hue, it adds a unique flavor and taste, along with some of those added benefits.
Before you get cooking, we need to know the two Matcha categories: ceremonial grade, and food-grade. Food-grade Matcha is made from lower quality leaves and is often times a lot cheaper in price, too. Though ceremonial-grade Matcha is a bit more expensive, there’s nothing wrong with using it instead of food-grade, as sometimes the lower quality Matcha can leave a bitter taste, where higher grades like ours is more smooth and flavorful.
Next time you make cookies, toss a tsp of Matcha in with your dry ingredients, or if you’re making porridge, adding some Matcha can only add to the taste. You can also try it in smoothies, soups, pudding, pancakes; the list goes on! Want something quick and easy? Try our favorite 5 Minute Matcha Mug Cake recipe below for a beautifully light, delicious snack:
Ingredients
Directions
1. Mix flour, Matcha, baking powder, and sugar together in your favorite large microwave-safe mug. Stir in milk, then add vegetable oil and mix with a fork until the batter is smooth.
3. Microwave for 60 seconds on top of a piece of paper towel, or a plate. Remember that each microwave is different – if batter is still wet at the bottom, microwave for another 15 seconds or until the cake is moist and fluffy. Let cool for a few minutes, then enjoy! Top off with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream, or enjoy on it’s own!
- Iced Matcha
Our second way to use Matcha Green Tea, is to enjoy it over ice! There are no rules on only being allowed to drink Matcha as a hot drink, so why not try something a little different?
Whisk 1/2 tsp Matcha in a bowl using a proper bamboo Matcha whisk, with about 1/3 cup hot water, until frothy and clump-free. Poor Matcha into desired glass, and top up with cold water and ice. Add a little honey and lemon for an extra twist!
- Matcha Latte
One popular way to use Matcha is to make it into a frothy, milky latte! This can be great if you need a little pick-me-up and would prefer a cup of tea, rather than a coffee, during those afternoon drowsy times.
To make a Matcha latte, use a bamboo Matcha whisk and whisk 1 tsp of Matcha Green Tea in a bowl with a small amount of hot water. Pour into your favourite mug. Next, heat up some milk, either on the stove top or microwave, and pour over the Matcha. Sweeten if desired!
- Matcha Face Mask
Did you know, besides consuming Matcha Green Tea, you can also use it topically? Face masks have been used for centuries to detoxify and cleanse the skin. By using natural ingredients with ingredients you may have already at home, you’ll be saving money and your skin without using any of those nasty, harsh chemicals in the face masks you buy at the store. Matcha contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is especially good for the skin to help reduce inflammation and evening out your skin tone.
Not only that, buy Matcha has been known to help with acne and breakouts. You can make a Matcha paste by mixing 1/2 tsp of Matcha with only a few drops of water. Use this on small breakouts to aid in clearing out acne.
To make a Matcha face mask, you can use any homemade recipe you find and simply add about 1/2 tsp of Matcha!
Here’s a quick and easy Matcha Facial Scrub recipe you can make at home:
Ingredients
Directions
Mix Matcha and sugar in a bowl, and add one drop at a time of lemon juice until it reaches a thick paste consistency. The sugar will help with scrubbing pores and cleaning dry skin from your face, while the Matcha detoxifies and cleanses. Apply to face, using only a small amount at a time, with the tips of your fingers in a circular motion, making sure to stay away from your eye area. Leave on for at least 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water, and bask in the glory of being Matcha‘d!
Small note: This may leave a green tint on your skin – not to worry! It is temporary and fades/washes off very quickly.
- Regular cup of Tea!
Matcha Tea Tools
Step One: Using a bamboo Matcha scoop, scoop 1-2 spoonfuls into a Matcha bowl, or a bowl wide enough to whisk and deep enough that it won’t splash.
Note: It may benefit to whisk the clumps out of the dry Matcha before adding water.
Step Two: Pour about 1/2 cup of hot water (Approx. 180° F/80° C) onto the Matcha, and whisk until Matcha is nice and frothy, with no clumps left.
Step Three: You can either add another 1 cup of hot water to your Matcha, mix, and enjoy straight from the bowl, or pour your Matcha mix into your favorite mug, and top off with the rest of your hot water.