Green tea has become very popular due to its high concentration of anti-aging, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and matcha green tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants. So what is matcha green tea? It is powdered green tea leaves that can be added to almost anything. Because it can be stirred into drinks like a protein powder or baked into dishes like cacao powder, the health benefits can be enjoyed anytime and in a variety of ways. In fact, here are six creative ways to enjoy this tea that will leave you with matcha mania.
Breakfasts
Green tea for breakfast? Not only does green tea provide a helpful energy boost, but it also contains high levels of antioxidants that can easily be paired with other antioxidant-rich foods such as berries or pomegranates. Mix matcha in your morning smoothie or juice to start your day off strong. Mix it in with your gluten-free granola, cereal or oatmeal to add color to your grains and vibrancy to your morning. Also, if your kids love Dr. Seuss, use matcha to make them green eggs and ham.Â
Beverages
Another way you can add some matcha to your morning is to sneak some into your morning latte. Or, make your iced tea or lemonade more refreshing on a hot summer’s day. It’s much healthier than drinking an energy drink or even juice. If your kids like slushies or snow cones, use matcha tea as a natural coloring agent. You can even add it to your fruit-infused water — use green fruits like green apples and kiwi with a sprig or two of fresh mint to make it a feast for the eyes and palate. If you’re a tea drinker, stir it into some mint tea and serve it cold or hot. It can also be added to fruit-infused sparkling water for some bubbly green fun. If you work out often, add matcha to coconut water. That way, you can enjoy some antioxidants with your electrolytes.
Lunch
Matcha tea can easily be stirred into any condiment for a sandwich, spread, dip or salad dressing. Mix it with an avocado for a midday pick-me-up that can be used in a variety of ways. Make a vinaigrette with matcha whisked right in. Sneak some matcha into your protein bar or energy balls for an extra boost. If you like yogurt parfaits, you can stir it in to make different layers of color and add variety. Love chia pudding? Try it with some matcha. Sprinkle some into your hummus or tomato chutney for an interesting twist. You can even sprinkle some on top of organic cheese before melting it in a sandwich.
Dinner
Speaking of cheese, sprinkle some matcha in your gluten-free macaroni and cheese. Toss some matcha with your breadcrumbs before topping off a casserole or covering a chicken breast. Bake it in your gluten-free dinner rolls or cornbreads for a colorful twist on some classic side dishes. Mix it in white gravy before topping off your meals, or cook it in your rice or quinoa with some cilantro and lime for the base of a green salad bowl. Sneak it in a turkey loaf or in a quiche. Dress up your mashed potatoes and soups with a pretty green swirl.
Frozen treats
Popsicles and creamsicles are a summertime favorite. Make your own with fruit juices, fresh herbs, or some Greek yogurt and sprinkle in some green fun. You can even enjoy it in ice cream or frozen yogurt! If you prefer something more fruity, enjoy a matcha sorbet. Add matcha to your frozen pies or raw desserts. Dip fruit in homemade matcha chocolate. Make simple freezer matcha bars by stirring it into cocoa powder and coconut oil and freezing the mixture until it’s hard. Freeze water with mint or fruit juice in fun ice-cube trays for Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day.
Baked desserts
Every once in a while, we all like to indulge our sweet tooth with some baked goods. They don’t have to be unhealthy though. Using gluten-free flours and natural sugars, you can make matcha birthday cakes, pound cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, soufflés, tarts, fudge, cookies, cinnamon rolls, banana nut breads, orange muffins, carrot cake, and whatever else you can imagine! You can even top off your delicious desserts with a homemade matcha icing or glaze. Your guilty pleasures won’t make you feel guilty when you pack them with healthier flours and sugars and top it all off with some antioxidants.
Matcha green tea is so versatile that it can be used almost anywhere. It can be snuck into food for your family or showcased as a healthy food coloring alternative. If you get a good quality matcha tea powder, it should be relatively flavorless. That’s what makes it so handy! What have you used it in? If you haven’t tried it yet, why not have fun inventing new ways to use matcha! Let us know your favorite ways to enjoy matcha below.
—Nicole Manuel
Nicole Manuel, CPC is a certified life coach with a degree in economics and over five years of professional writing experience. Her goal is to help others discover ways to incorporate sustainable solutions that can improve their health and well-being on a budget.Â
Sources:
http://news.health.com/2015/03/27/what-is-matcha
http://dailyburn.com/life/recipes/matcha-recipes-matcha-latte
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/food-cocktails/a6923/matcha-recipes
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/matcha-green-tea-recipes
http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/matcha-recipes-to-try-at-home
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02050/Matcha-Tea.html
http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/06/why-is-everyone-drinking-matcha.html
