Passionate about matcha green tea? You are not alone. Earlier, health enthusiasts and fitness lovers were the only ones who swore by the health benefits of Japanese matcha. Times have changed.

Now, everyone is going gaga over matcha. The feeds of Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and other social media platforms have taken a green hue, with users trying out matcha green tea recipes at home.

And why would people swoon over it? Matcha offers a host of health benefits that are scientifically proven by numerous research.

What Is So Special About Matcha?

Green tea and matcha come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. However, the plant is grown differently to make matcha. The plants are kept in shade for almost a month before harvesting to avoid contact with direct sunlight. This mechanism boosts chlorophyll production, increasing amino acid production in the leaves. This is where the matcha plant gets its dark green colour from.

After the harvest, the whole leaves are separated from the veins and stems and pulverized into a superfine powder called matcha. Compared to green tea, matcha contains a higher concentration of caffeine and is a rich source of antioxidants.

Studies have shown that matcha consumption can promote heart health, protect our liver, and even help with weight loss. A well-brewed cup of matcha tea or recipes using matcha powder can induce alertness thanks to the greater amino acid concentration. The amino acid compound L-Theanine is associated with promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness. In addition, the higher chlorophyll content in the whole green tea leaves that are ground into matcha powder is a comparatively more powerful detoxifying agent than the standard green tea.

3 Yummy Recipes With Matcha Powder to Make At Home

Before we explore the matcha green tea recipes you can make at home, there is something you need to know. There are two distinct categories of matcha powder: food-grade and ceremony-grade.

While the ceremony-grade matcha powder is mainly used only for making tea, the food-grade kind is used in cooking and baking. Having said that, no hard-bound rules forbid people from using ceremony-grade matcha powder in cooking recipes.

It is time to explore the world of gastronomy and learn about three popular matcha tea powder recipes to try at home.

Matcha Cupcake with Matcha Buttercream 

Get a double matcha kick with the sweetness of buttercream frosting with this cupcake recipe. 

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• Sugar – 1 ¾ cups
• All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups
• Baking powder – 1 ½ tsp
• Matcha powder – 2 tbsp
• Baking Soda – 1 ½ tsp
• Kosher salt – 1 ½ tsp
• Buttermilk – 1 cup
• Eggs – 2 (large)
• Vanilla extract – 1 tbsp
• Boiling water – ¾ cup
• Canola oil – ½ cup

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• Softened, unsalted butter – 2 cups
• Matcha powder – 2 ½ tsps
• Powdered sugar – 4 ⅔ cups
• A pinch of kosher salt
• Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

Method:

• Take a large bowl and mix all the dry ingredients. Take another smaller bowl and whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Now transfer the contents of the smaller bowl into the mix of dry ingredients and mix them well until the batter is smooth without lumps. Add boiling water while mixing the wet and dry ingredients to make the batter.
• Now preheat your over at 350° in convection mode and line the muffin pans with paper liners. Pour the batter and bake it for approximately 18 minutes. 
• Transfer the baked cupcakes to a rack for cooling. Now let us make the frosting.
• Beat all the frosting ingredients together to make a smooth mixture. Frost the cupcakes in a way you like and enjoy them with your loved ones.

Matcha Chocolate Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• Soft and sticky dates
• Raw almonds
• Cocoa powder or cacao powder, unsweetened
• Almond milk, unsweetened
• Matcha powder
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Mix the almonds and dates into a food processor till they turn into a sticky ball. This process might take some time. So, be patient.
• Break apart the mixture a little inside the food processor. Add matcha powder, cocoa powder, almond milk, and salt. Process all the ingredients until it turns into a large sticky ball.
• Bring out the mixture and roll them into small balls. You can also dust the top with matcha powder before eating it.

Chia Seed and Matcha Pudding

From children to adults, everyone loves good pudding. Here is a quick pudding recipe with matcha powder that you can easily make at home.

Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt – 1 cup or 285 gms
• Honey – 2 tbsp
• Almond milk – 1 cup or 240 mL
• Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
• Matcha powder – 1 tbsp
• Chai seeds – ¼ cup or 40 gms
• Chocolate shaving for garnishing

Method:

• Mix the almond milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, matcha powder, and chia seeds in a medium-sized bowl.
• Take an airtight container and pour the mixture into it. Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours.
• Serve the pudding topped with a dusting of matcha powder and chocolate shavings. Enjoy with your family and friends.

Matcha-based recipes are not only tasty but come with a host of health benefits. Try out these recipes and let us know if you liked them.