Matcha is one of the healthiest green teas in the world, and including it in your diet can provide powerful health benefits. It contains polyphenols which have an antimicrobial and antifungal effect to help fight infections, as well as theanine, which can improve memory capacity, boost your immune system and enhance your concentration. It can also promote smooth, supple, glowing skin, so why not give it a try?
Matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves collected from a plant called Camellia Sinensis. It’s partly grown in the shade to increase its chlorophyll content, which is thought to aid with weight loss, digestive issues, and relieve muscle and joint pain. It’s also an important source of antioxidants, which help your body get rid of toxins and protect it from free radicals. In fact, matcha green tea has more antioxidants than superfoods such as spinach, wheatgrass and blueberries.
When choosing matcha powder, it’s best to go for the highest quality you can find to make sure it hasn’t lost any nutrients during processing. It should have a deep aroma, a slightly sweet taste, and a dark green color.
Here are three delicious matcha recipes that the whole family can enjoy.
MATCHA OATMEAL
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 cup rice milk (or any other plant-based milk)
Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
Optional Toppings
Walnuts, cashews, peanuts
Chia seeds, flax seeds
Dried cranberries, sultanas, dried dates
Coconut flakes
Crispy Fruit
Maple syrup, date syrup, honey
Directions
1. Place a saucepan over medium heat, pour in the milk, and bring to a simmer. Add the oats, matcha powder and salt, stirring constantly.
2. After 2-3 minutes, the porridge will start to thicken. Rolled, steel cut and crushed oats take less time to cook than whole oats.
3. When ready, take it off the heat. Serve it plain, and let your family and friends choose their own toppings. It’s a fun, healthy way to enjoy your meal and experiment with different flavors.
BANANA MATCHA COOKIES
Serves: 10
Ingredients
2 tsp matcha powder
1 1/2 cup spelt flour
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 banana
4 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch pf pink Himalayan salt
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 355° F and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork to make a puree. It’s best to use a ripe banana which is going soft.
3. In a larger bowl, mix all the dry ingredients and add a pinch of pink Himalayan salt.
4. Add banana to the flour mixture, then pour in the coconut oil. Mix well until dough comes together. If it feels very sticky, add a bit more flour.
5. The dough is ready when it feels springy and easy to manage. Divide it out into small pieces, and then roll into balls. Place them on the baking tray, evenly spaced out, and then press down lightly with the back of a fork.
6. If you prefer a more uniform finish, you can roll the dough out with a rolling pin, and then use a cookie cutter to create perfect shapes.
7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. When they’re ready, they should be a pale golden color. Let them cool on a rack, and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for later.
MATCHA SMOOTHIE
Serves: 1
Ingredients
1 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder
2 nectarines
1 banana
3 plums
Water
2 handfuls of ice
Directions
1. Chop fruit, place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until it’s smooth.
2. If you prefer your smoothie to be thick, only use a dash of water. To make it runnier, just add more water.
Have you made any of these this? Share your notes with others!
About the Author: Louisa Rose is 20 years old and from Cologne, Germany. Over the past two years, she has lived and traveled in Australia and New Zealand. Fed up with the bad advice she kept reading in beauty magazines, Louisa decided to start a personal blog called Body Health Love, a place to share well-researched health and beauty advice aimed at educating and empowering young women across the globe to make the right choices in their beauty regime.