If you’re one of the few who never ate any matcha-infused food before, you might be wondering what does matcha taste like. Is it worth the hype and what are the benefits of using them for your drinks or pastries? Does matcha taste like green tea? Here’s everything you need to know about the crowd-favorite matcha.
Matcha is powdered green tea leaves. These finely ground leaves are mainly used for preparing tea. Matcha is a part of many traditions, especially those heavily influenced by the Buddhist religion. In Japan, for instance, they hold a ceremony where they drink matcha while gathering and eating.
Even if matcha has been part of many cultures in Asia, it’s just recently that it became a fad. People started to use it in any dessert they can think of, from ice cream and doughnuts to cake and cookies. It’s so popular that when you need your matcha fix, all you have to do is go to a nearby fast-food restaurant and order your matcha latte or tea.
Matcha Taste
Does matcha taste like green tea? Yes, but the intensity of its green tea flavor varies depending on the brand. There are different types of matcha available online, like roasted matcha, ceremonial grade, and culinary grade so the taste of matcha will not always be the same. For example, latte grade is smoother than ordinary matcha powder.
Ceremonial grade matcha usually comes with a strong flavor and a more vibrant color. This is the type of matcha often used in formal ceremonies in Japan. It’s also the most expensive type of matcha. It’s accompanied by a kaiseki course meal or a meal consisting of different dishes from rice dish and grilled course to appetizer and sashimi.
High-quality brands of matcha leaves are smooth because they are processed accordingly. Depending on its grade, matcha can produce a delicately grassy or a grassy bitter taste. They are processed at a very low speed and they are usually obtained from the farms in Japan.
Be cautious when buying cheap matcha, because there is no assurance they are produced accordingly. Matcha should be grown in a shaded area to produce the compounds that give them their unique flavor. Regardless of the brand, you can expect matcha powder to have grassy and herbaceous notes in it. Do note, though, that they are only different in flavor and color but all of them are the same in terms of nutritional content and antioxidant levels.
Matcha Recipes
You can be creative with matcha. Other than using it to make your tea or latte, you can use it for making crepes, granola bars, waffles, pancakes, and cheesecake. The possibilities are endless: you can infuse any dessert with matcha and you can use it for making your refreshing drink.
You don’t need to use a lot of matcha when making sweet treats. For an ice cream for four, you will only need to use around 3-5 tablespoons of matcha. What does matcha ice cream taste like? It’s rich and flavorful, but it’s far from any taste of ice cream you usually eat. It’s among the most unique flavors of ice cream you can find.
What does matcha ice cream taste like? It’s light and refreshing– perfect for health-conscious individuals who want something sweet but do not want to feel guilty afterward. It has a slightly bitter flavor in it, especially if you only used very small amounts of sugar in your ice cream recipe.
Consider the grade of your matcha when planning to use it for other recipes other than making tea. Ceremonial matcha is the best for making pure matcha tea but it will not be appropriate for creating a smoothie or a dessert. Culinary grade is more exposed to the sun and has a muddy bitter taste. It also has lower amounts of caffeine compared to the ceremonial grade and latte grade.
Matcha Benefits
Do you enjoy matcha? Then good for you, because there are many matcha benefits for your body. It’s loaded with antioxidants, protein, fiber, and calcium. It’s rich in Vitamin A, one of the vitamins you can’t get from black tea, coffee, and even green tea. Another thing you can get from matcha, that you can’t obtain from any of these drinks, is carotene.
Carotene is a substance derived from plants that are converted to Vitamin A inside the body. These are commonly found in orange-colored fruits and vegetables like squash, carrot, and sweet potatoes. It’s good for the eyes and the skin.
One of its lesser-known benefits is its ability to fight cancer. It contains catechins, a form of a phenolic compound known for its strong antioxidant activity. This compound, which is also found in berries and cocoa, is also known to have antimicrobial properties. It’s also virtually zero in fat, so you can drink it when you want to shed some pounds.
Conclusion
If there’s one word that best describes the flavor of matcha, it’s vegetal. The flavor of matcha is perfectly balanced because it combines nutty, earthy, and fruity in one. It also has savory notes in it that makes it more interesting. Do note that not all matcha is created equal, so if you’re looking for the best, consider organic matcha.
Matcha is believed to be a hundred times more potent than loose-leaf or tea bags. Drinking ten cups of green tea is equivalent to a cup of matcha. If you consume it regularly, you will reap its benefits such as burning your calories fast, boosting your energy and calming your mind from stress.
With its many health benefits, you can’t simply ignore matcha. So the next time you’re at the grocery, go ahead and buy your matcha powder. You can use it in many ways and you can be extra creative by adding a small amount on your dessert. If you have a thing for green tea, matcha will surely satisfy your tastebuds.
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