8+ TASTY WAYS TO EAT MATCHA GREEN TEA

You know green tea is good for you. It’s packed full of nature’s little foot soldiers: antioxidants, which help protect the body against cancer and heart disease. But some people just don’t like tea.

Good news, then, if you’re looking to experience the health benefits of green tea but don’t like the taste or the hassle of drinking hot beverages:

Matcha is far more potent than green tea when it comes to delivering antioxidant power to your body.

Research shows that matcha has 137 times more antioxidants than some types of green tea! The reason? Matcha is ground-up green tea leaves, so you’re actually consuming the parts with the antioxidants. When you drink tea, the leaves are discarded, along with many of those antioxidants.

To help you get more of the health benefits of green tea, here are seven ways to eat matcha.

1. Matcha-Coconut Popsicles

Matcha paired with coconut is a match made in culinary heaven. In a blender, toss meat from one fresh young coconut, 2 frozen bananas,  a tiny splash of vanilla extract, honey to taste, and a teaspoon of matcha powder. Freeze, then marvel at how delicious popsicles can be when they’re made with grown-up ingredients like matcha and coconut!

2. Matcha Ice Cream

While we’re on the subject of cool desserts, you might want to try ice cream made from matcha, too. If you visit Japan, this should be on your foodie list of things to eat. But if you’re stuck at home, stroll on down to your nearest Japanese restaurant.

No Japanese cuisine in your town? That’s OK because most Chinese restaurants sell it too- only it’s known as your basic ‘green tea ice cream’.

3. Matcha in Your Yogurt

Since matcha can be purchased in powder form, it can be stirred, shaken, or blended into just about anything. Yogurt comes to mind because it’s a morning food and matcha does contain caffeine. Get your nutrients, your antioxidants, and your caffeine all in one bowl of yummy deliciousness!

4. Matcha in Your Smoothie

Try matcha in any smoothie recipe, preferably mixed with fruit or coconut. You’ll never go back to the basic banana smoothie again!

5. Matcha in Cupcakes

Try adding matcha powder to a plain Jane cupcake recipe. The flavor of the matcha is somehow enhanced during baking, making for an incredibly tasty little cupcake.

6. Matcha in Any Baked Good, Actually

Matcha powder is wonderfully easy to add to the cake batter, muffins, cookie dough, or anything you bake at home. You could even make green bagels for Saint Patrick’s Day!

7. Matcha on Your Popcorn!

Matcha recipes don’t all have to be loaded with sugar. Sprinkle your popcorn with matcha and salt (after buttering) and enjoy the savory goodness.

8. Hot Steamy Matcha Latte

Technically, matcha is sold to be used as a hot drink. But the whole point here is to create something yummier than tea. Try adding a teaspoon of matcha to about an inch of hot water in a mug. Then top with about one cup of hot milk. Starbucks has nothing on this latte!

9. And So Much More…

We could go on forever with matcha combos because it’s such a versatile ingredient. It can be sweetened or used in savory dishes. It can be baked, sprinkled, frozen, or steeped. Add it to your oats, your pancakes, or a souffle. Fudge? Brownies? Pudding? Energy bites? You betcha.

The best part about this superfood is the delightful shade of green it creates in everything you make. Go ahead, try some of your own unique combos and you’ll discover the joys of matcha. To your health!

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