As avid matcha lovers, our days often begin with a hot matcha latte, and on occasion, we’ll enjoy a cup in the afternoon as a pick-me-up. Matcha is a type of green tea made from finely ground tea leaves and has a grassy, nutty flavor that makes it a delicious option any time of day.
Similar to other teas, it’s traditionally prepared with hot water and served with some steamed milk and a bit of sweetener. Unlike other teas, however, matcha is made with the entire tea leaf, and, as a result, has a thicker, frothier texture that makes it an ideal addition to a wide variety of drinks and desserts. If you love matcha as much as we do, read on for some fun ways to change up your matcha routine.
Coconut Water
We have to credit Remy Park, recipe developer, and matcha aficionado behind the popular food blog Veggiekins, for this idea. Remy’s Japanese heritage combined with her love for all things pink and green inspired her to prepare her matcha over a glass of Harmless Harvest pink coconut water, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing drink that tastes as good as it looks. If you don’t have access to this particular brand, you can still make your own by pouring a shot of matcha over any regular coconut water and some ice.
Lemonade
If you like Starbucks Green Tea Lemonade, know that you can easily make your own, but better, with just a few simple ingredients. Swap traditional green tea for ceremonial-grade matcha and store-bought lemonade for fresh lemon juice, sparkling water, and a splash of maple syrup. Add a slice of lemon and some fresh mint for an extra refreshing kick.
Affogato
Affogato is an Italian coffee-based dessert consisting of a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The word literally translates to “drowned,” and the idea behind the dessert is that the bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the ice cream will balance each other out. Matcha, like coffee, tends to have an earthy, slightly bitter flavor that pairs beautifully with vanilla or even chocolate ice cream.
