Matcha powder has become an increasingly popular ingredient in recent years.
This finely ground green tea powder not only provides the wellness benefits of green tea, but it also adds a pop of natural color and delicious, complex flavor to foods and drinks.
From matcha lattes to matcha chocolate chip cookies, this versatile ingredient can elevate both sweet and savory recipes.
What is Matcha Powder?
Matcha comes from the green tea plant, but unlike drinking a cup of steeped tea, matcha powder is made from stone-ground whole tea leaves. So when you consume matcha, you're actually ingesting the entire leaf versus just drinking the steeped water.
This process boosts the nutritional value of matcha powder and intensifies its signature grassy, slightly bitter yet delicate flavor. When shopping for baking-grade matcha powder, opt for "culinary grade" instead of the more expensive "ceremonial grade" used for drinking straight.
Culinary matcha works well for mixing into batters, doughs, and recipes. It has a more robust, vegetal flavor that stands up to other ingredients.
Benefits of matcha powder:
- High in antioxidants
- Boosts metabolism
- Enhances focus and clarity
- Provides vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and magnesium
- Adds fiber when used in baked goods
Key Takeaway: Matcha powder delivers higher concentrations of nutrients compared to steeped green tea since the entire leaf is consumed. opt for culinary grade when baking and cooking.
Sweet Matcha Dessert Recipes
From ice cream to cream puffs, matcha powder brings out the sweetness in desserts while adding intrigue. Start by adding just 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per recipe, then adjust to taste. Keep in mind a little matcha goes a long way since it has a potent flavor.
Easy Matcha Butter Cookies
Buttery shortbread cookies get taken up a notch with earthy matcha. After creaming butter and sugar, simply add about 3/4 teaspoon matcha powder to the dry ingredients. Roll dough into a log, chill, and slice to bake buttery, tender green tea cookies. Sandwich two together with vanilla buttercream if desired.
Matcha White Chocolate Blondies
Blondies already have a sweet flavor from brown sugar and chocolate chips. Matcha powder adds complexity while creating a signature green color. Simply swap 1 tablespoon of the flour for matcha when mixing the dry ingredients.
Matcha Swiss Roll Cake
This stunning matcha cake roll encases fresh whipped cream and fruit inside a fluffy matcha sponge cake. Make the batter by folding matcha powder into egg yolks and sugar, then gently folding into whipped egg whites. Spread onto a sheet pan, bake, roll up with the filling inside, cool, and slice.
Matcha Panna Cotta
For an elegant, Japanese-inspired dessert, make creamy matcha panna cotta. Heat cream with sugar and gelatin, remove from heat, then stir in 1 teaspoon matcha powder until smooth. Pour into small cups and chill at least 4 hours. Top with fruit before serving.
Matcha Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate and matcha make perfect truffle partners. Melt chocolate with cream and matcha over a double boiler. Pour into a shallow dish, chill until firm enough to scoop, then roll into balls. Coat in matcha powder or cocoa powder before serving.
Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookies
These classic cookies get taken to new heights with matcha. Simply add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon matcha powder along with the flour and baking soda, then bake as usual. The chocolate and matcha marry beautifully together.
| Type of Recipe | Amount of Matcha Powder to Use |
|---|---|
| Cakes | 1-2 teaspoons |
| Cupcakes | 1/2 - 1 teaspoon |
| Cookies | 1/2 - 1 teaspoon |
| Bars/Squares | 1 tablespoon |
| Mousses | 1/2 - 1 teaspoon |
| Ice Cream | 1-2 teaspoons |
Key Takeaway: When using matcha powder in baking, start with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per recipe, then tweak to taste. A little matcha goes a long way since it has such a strong flavor.
Savory Matcha Recipes
In addition to sweet baked goods, matcha brings its antioxidants and umami flavor to savory cooking as well. It adds subtle complexity and intrigue to everything from salad dressings to scrambled eggs.
Matcha Vinaigrette
For an antioxidant-rich salad, make a matcha vinaigrette dressing. Simply whisk 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder together with rice wine vinegar, shallots, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. Toss with mixed greens, vegetables, chickpeas, or grains.
Matcha Guacamole
Give your guacamole a makeover by stirring in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder, which brings out the avocado's creamy richness. Enjoy with corn chips or fresh veggies.
Matcha Butter Compound Sauce
Mix pantry staples into a luscious matcha pan sauce perfect for chicken, fish, or veggies. Melt butter in a skillet, then whisk in soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and about 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder.
Matcha Deviled Eggs
Infuse your deviled eggs with antioxidants by adding 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder to the egg yolk filling. Spoon into hard boiled egg whites for a pretty green-hued hors d'oeuvre or snack.
Matcha Popcorn
What could be better than popcorn? Matcha popcorn! Prepare popcorn as usual, transfer to a bowl, then spritz with olive oil and sprinkle on about 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder and salt to taste. Toss to coat for a surprisingly tasty snack.
Creative Ways to Use Matcha Powder
Beyond classic baking recipes and meals, don't be afraid to get creative with matcha! Its flavor plays well in drinks like smoothies and cocktails, and it can even elevate body care items like face masks.
Iced Matcha Latte
An iced matcha latte makes for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up without the caffeine overload of coffee. Simply stir together cold milk of choice, ice, maple syrup to taste, and 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder until frothy. Easy, energizing, and delicious!
Green Tea Spinach Smoothie
Power up your morning smoothie by adding 1/4 teaspoon matcha along with fresh spinach, mango, banana, Greek yogurt, and ice. Blend until creamy for an antioxidant-rich breakfast.
Matcha Citrus Blast Cocktail
Matcha powder brings subtle bitterness that pairs perfectly with citrus flavors. Shake up an easy matcha citrus cocktail with vodka, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon matcha powder, and ice. Double strain into a martini glass!
Soothing Matcha Face Mask
Harness the anti-inflammatory power of matcha powder in your self-care routine. Mix 1 teaspoon matcha with plain yogurt or aloe vera gel and apply to clean skin, avoiding eye area. Leave on 10 minutes, then rinse.
Matcha Sugar Body Scrub
Pamper parched skin with an invigorating matcha sugar scrub. Stir 1 teaspoon matcha powder into a mixture of brown sugar, olive oil, coconut oil and almond oil. Use gently on elbows, knees, and heels while showering. Rinse well and moisturize after.
Key Takeaway: Get creative with matcha powder by adding it into smoothies, cocktails, face masks, body scrubs, and more for flavor and wellness benefits! Start with 1/4 to 1 teaspoon matcha per recipe.
How to Select High Quality Matcha Powder
With matcha powder's rising popularity, more brands offer both quality and lower grade varieties. So when shopping for matcha, check:
- Color: Good quality matcha is vibrant green, not brown or dull. Brown matcha contains more stems and veins versus nutrient-rich young leaves.
- Scent: Give matcha a sniff inside the bag or container. It should smell fresh, grassy, and vegetal without any sour, fishy, or alcohol odors.
- Taste: Quality matcha has a balance of grassiness, subtle sweetness, and moderate bitterness. Poor matcha tastes very bitter, astringent or sour.
- Origin: The finest Japanese matcha comes from Kyoto or Nishio regions. Chinese matcha tends to be lower quality.
- Labeling: Opt for organic, non-GMO certified matcha labeled as "culinary grade" or "ceremonial grade." Reputable Japanese brands like Ippodo, Aiya, DoMatcha, and Encha are known for premium matcha.
While high end ceremonial grade works for drinking straight, reasonably priced culinary matcha powders provide good value for cooking and baking. Whichever you choose, proper storage helps preserve freshness and color. Keep matcha powder in an airtight container away from sunlight, heat, and strong odors.
FAQs
Does matcha powder go bad?
Yes, it can expire and is best consumed within a year of production for optimal color, texture, and nutrient levels. Look for a "best by" date on quality brands. Properly stored in an airtight container away from light and heat, matcha generally lasts about 1 year.
Can matcha powder be substituted for green food coloring?
Yes! Not only will matcha color your recipes green naturally, it also adds flavor, antioxidants and fiber. Use about 1/4 to 1 teaspoon matcha powder per recipe as you would food coloring paste.
What does matcha powder taste like?
Matcha has a pleasant yet potent grassy, vegetal taste with subtle sweetness and moderate bitterness. Higher grades taste delicately sweet and smooth, while culinary grades have bolder umami flavors.
What goes well with matcha flavor?
Matcha complements both savory and sweet ingredients like citrus, berries, vanilla, chocolate, avocado, eggs, popcorn, green veggies, chickpeas, yogurt, oats and more! It pairs well with creaminess to balance its slight astringency.
Conclusion
Vibrant matcha powder serves as a versatile, flavorful, and nutritious ingredient to incorporate into everyday home cooking. It brings the health perks of green tea into recipes through its antioxidant compounds, metabolism-boosting properties, and stress-relieving L-theanine.
Matcha shines in both sweet and savory dishes thanks to its vegetal, umami-rich flavor with a pleasant bitterness. A little matcha goes a long way, so start small with 1/4 to 1 teaspoon per recipe, adding more to suit your tastes.