I did NOT like Matcha. In fact, I believed the green powdery substance tasted like bunny food. However, I kept trying it for reasons unknown. Maybe it was my Pinterest feed bombarding me with Matcha recipes or even the reality of it seemingly staring at me in my own kitchen. Regardless, I am now proud to call myself a Matcha Advocate because I have not only learned the benefits but also how to make it not taste like forest critter lunch. I will now be sharing with you why you should incorporate matcha into your own diet.
First, what even is Matcha? Well, matcha is a type of green tea, actually, one cup of matcha is equal to 10 cups of green tea. Meaning it has higher antioxidant and caffeine properties (Ajmera, 2023). Benefits from this rich substance include: increased metabolism, protection of the liver, boost brain function, as well as a promotion of heart and skin health (Ajmera, 2023). Overall matcha seems to benefit bodies holistically and seems much better for you than your daily cup of coffee. But what if I said you do not have to replace your addiction to espresso? There are many ways to incorporate matcha into your life without making drastic changes, here are a few fun ways!
Matcha Chia Seed Pudding
This recipe is so quick to make! It’s especially great for grab-and-go college students before class – plus has added benefits. Chia seeds are an amazing source of fiber and are dense in Omega 3 fatty acids which aid in lowering the risks of heart disease, regulate your endocrine system (hormones), and help your immune system immensely (Londre, 2022). With the combined health benefits of Chia Seeds and Matcha, this makes an easy addition to your to-go recipes as a student.
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp matcha
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- A dash of vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Let it sit overnight in the fridge and watch the magic happen!
Matcha Overnight Oats
Packed with fiber, protein, magnesium, and complex carbohydrates (Ruder, 2023), matcha overnight oats might be one of the best recipes yet. While it’s quick and simple to make, the benefits don’t stop there. Oats contain a kind of fiber, called beta-glucan, which lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels, making you at less risk for heart disease and diabetes. Beta-glucan also promotes healthy gut bacteria and intestinal health. (Londre, 2021) Of course, combined with the added health benefits of matcha, I highly recommend you try this recipe.
- 1 1/2 tsp Matcha
- 1/2 cup Rolled oats
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Chia seeds
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (sub: coconut, hemp, oat, or almond yogurt if wanted)
- 1/4 cup Water
Frothy Strawberry Iced Matcha Latte
EE! This one is my favorite. This recipe is the most perfect high-maintenance coffee you will ever try. The drink is layered with heavy or blended cream (sub: coconut, oat, almond, hemp if wanted), strawberries, matcha, and espresso. An iced strawberry matcha latte is such a fun recipe to try, enjoy!
- ⅓ cup filtered water
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 heaping scoop of collagen powder (optional)
- 2 tsp matcha
- One espresso shot
- Blended handful of strawberries with ⅓ cup of chosen milk
Soft Matcha Sugar Cookies
These cookies are SO good. This recipe turns regular sugar cookies into an earthy delicious upgrade! Share them with friends or family and they will be wowed by their great unique taste!
- 2½ cups flour
- 2½ tbsp matcha powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt I use unsalted, if using salted butter, decrease salt in the recipe by half.
- 2 sticks of butter at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon flavorless oil (I used vegetable)
Preheat the oven to 350 and bake for 8-10 minutes, let cool for 5 minutes, and enjoy!
3 ingredient Matcha Coconut Ice Cream
This ice cream is vegan, gluten, and dairy-free, and the best part is its only 3 ingredients! In this recipe, you will find a high source of potassium from the bananas which will aid in muscle recovery, cell regeneration, and the regulation of blood pressure (Raman, 2023). The key to this matcha ice cream is not to add too much liquid to your blender, this will help it stay thick and creamy. If you think you need to add more, wait, and let the blender do its thing. I can’t wait for you to try this one.
- 3 chopped frozen bananas
- 1 ½ tbsp matcha
- ¾ cup coconut milk
If you would like to add heightened flavors try these!
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- ¾ cup shredded coconut
Savory Matcha Butter
Just like peanut or almond butter, the uses for this spread are seemingly endless. Matcha butter has a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and savory. You can put this on toast, use as a dipping sauce, salad glaze, and even with roasted nuts. There is such versatility in how you decide to make this recipe. Whether it’s adding more liquid to make it creamy or lessening the amount of honey to allow the matcha to shine through. The star of this recipe are cashews which are high in magnesium, fiber, and anti-inflammatory compounds called polyphenols, helping create a thriving gut microbiome (Munios, 2023).
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup boiling hot water
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2-3 tsp ceremonial grade matcha
- 1/4 cup oat milk
- 1/16 tsp kosher salt
Green Goddess Matcha salad dressing
This dressing is perfect for a light and leafy green salad, especially over kale or arugula. Full of nutrients, there are many benefits for microbial gut health from this creamy dressing. Such as live probiotics from the yogurt, manganism and vitamins from the avocado, antibacterial/immune support from onion (Ware, 2023), and of course a great addition to your culinary exploration journey.
- ¾ cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ½ avocado
- ¼ cup milk (sub: oat, almond, hemp, coconut)
- ½ cup fresh basil
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon matcha
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste