9 Ways To Serve Matcha And Enjoy This Powerful Green Tea

CRYSTAL H.  | ,   |   Updated
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If you’ve been curious about this type of tea, then this article will give you a better understanding of how to drink matcha and why. Using a ceramic teapot and cups is my favorite, but there sure are other ways to get its benefits.

Serving matcha tea

Matcha is a type of green tea that has been a Japanese favorite for centuries. Its rich flavor and deep color set it apart from other types of green tea. It’s known for its many nutritional and remedial benefits.

There are two forms of matcha tea that I’ve tried – powdered and green tea leaf/teabag form.

What is matcha tea?

Matcha is powdered green tea that’s grown and harvested differently from other green teas. For matcha, the tea plants grow in the shade for the final few months before harvesting. This boosts the chlorophyll content giving matcha an almost electric-green color. It has four grades of quality that vary in color, nutrition, and price.

The best quality is made from the young tips of the fast-growing tea plant (Camellia sinensis) since these have higher amounts of nutrients than the older leaves.

Powdered vs tea bag

The two different forms of matcha tea available to buy online or from the store, and which I will cover here, are the matcha powder and the matcha green teabag.

Teabags are convenient and easy to take with you when you’re on the go – though they do expire as I cover in my article on how best to keep teabags.

In the powdered form, my best food tip is to use the organic sort for the most nutritional benefits. The one I prefer is unsweetened, but you can also buy sweetened matcha green powder. I prefer the unsweetened.

I’ve tried both the organic unsweetened powder and the teabag form. The teabag version is milder, and mellow-like, while the powdered form is a vibrant green with a richer flavor. Both make healthy beverages, but the powdered form can also be used in baking as a natural food colorant.

Matcha is also used as a healthy food coloring option.

Price: Matcha may be more expensive than other types of green tea, but the depth and complexity of its flavor are worth it.

Matcha with a tea set

The traditional way of drinking Matcha tea is it is served hot from a ceramic tea set with Japanese-style teapots and tea bowls. Basically, an elegant ceramic pot and clean cups would do the trick.

This ceremony is not just about tea drinking but also about each person partaking in the tea drinking and sharing the things they are thankful for.

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Japanese Tea Sets
are a great way to serve green tea and you can get these at Amazon

Lipton suggests to simplify this normally complex setup, simply arrange a stylish table with flowers and sweets and add some mini napkins. But make sure to use high-quality grade matcha (Amazon link).

How much matcha per cup?

You need about a teaspoon of matcha per cup. Here’s what you do…

  • Add about a teaspoonful of matcha powder per cup/mug to the teapot
  • Pour boiling water into the pot containing the matcha
  • Stir briefly until the powder is dissolved
  • After pouring the brew into individual cups, sweeten and add milk or milk alternatives as desired
  • Enjoy it hot!

Tip: To get an even richer flavor, you can add a touch more green tea powder until you get the strength you desire.

Napkins are used to wipe the side of the cup before drinking the tea – as a part of this tradition.

Matcha teabag hot beverage

One of the most popular ways to drink tea is using a tea bag. Add hot water (176ºF, 80º C), not boiling, to one matcha teabag in your cup and leave it steep for 30 seconds, jiggling the teabag 3-4 times for the strength you desire, then discard the teabag.

Matcha latte

A latte is usually made with espresso, but this recipe replaces the espresso with a strong matcha tea powder and milk or soy milk for an extra flavorful drink that puts you in high spirits! Make sure to use less water than normal when preparing your steaming hot Matcha tea lattes so as not to water down the matcha effect.

Matcha latte recipe

  • Place a teaspoon and a half of matcha powder in a mug
  • Add a tablespoon of hot water and mix to a smooth consistency (no lumps)
  • Add ¾ cup of hot milk and whisk or froth to combine
  • Sweeten to taste

Cold-brewed matcha iced tea

A delicious and refreshing way to drink Matcha – The easiest way of all is to just brew up some cold brewed iced tea (with the desired amount of sweetener) and add it to tall glasses with ice.

How to use a teabag to make iced green tea: Place a matcha green teabag in a tumbler and pour cold water over it. Let it steak for 2-3 minutes. Discard the teabag and ice.

Using matcha powder: Matcha is usually brewed at a ratio of about one teaspoon of powdered matcha to every cup of water – so add one teaspoon of the powder per cup/mug, fill with cold water, stir briefly until dissolved, and enjoy chilled!

The colder temperature slows down the natural oxidation process that takes place when it is brewed hot so this method has a much longer shelf life than other preparations. You can also use part or all milk as an alternative.

serving matcha tea cold with ice cream, cream, or ice in glass drinkware
Served cold in glass drinkware

Matcha ice cream cocktail

Mixing matcha into ice cream creates an incredibly creamy consistency while also adding a rich green color to a nutritious ice cream cocktail. Matcha ice cream is a Japanese dessert.

Matcha smoothie

Simply add matcha tea powder to your favorite smoothie. Or if using tea bags, boil the water and let cool a little then pour over the teabag in a cup and let brew for about 2 min. Add the brewed tea to the ingredients.

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Lipton Tea has this healthy Three-Green Matcha Super-Smoothie, which uses

  • 2 matcha tea bags (brewed as above),
  • 1 1/2 cups water,
  • 1 cup coconut water,
  • 4 oz frozen spinach,
  • 1/2 avocado, and
  • one banana.

Blend all ingredients with a pinch of salt and a handful of ice cubes and you’re good to go.

Matcha latte mug cake

For this, you’ll need a ceramic mug. Not a plastic type, nor stainless steel or glass.

Matcha cake recipe in a ceramic mug: A cake recipe that uses matcha powder instead of just regular chocolate or coffee baked in a mug! Easy because it’s quick and it’s done in the microwave in a jiffy!

All it takes is 1 teaspoon of matcha tea powder added to and blended with ingredients for a cake in a ceramic mug. Make sure to whisk until no lumps remain. Here’s a simple one: whisk 1 teaspoon of matcha powder with these ingredients and microwave on full for 1 min.

  • 4 tbsp. (15 ml) flour
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tbsp. (15 ml) sugar or equiv. sweetener
  • pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp. (15 ml) cream
  • 2 tbsp. (30 ml) milk (melted)
  • 1/2 tsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. water

Tip: Mix the dry ingredients together first.

This makes a cupcake-sized treat.

Matcha cookies

A cookie recipe that adds matcha powder to the ingredients for a smooth, subtle matcha-flavored cookie that’s perfect with tea or coffee.

Look for these on Pinterest or simply google search the term “easy matcha cookies” for simple easy-to-bake recipes.

Matcha rice Krispy treats

A recipe to make rice crispies (or any other cereal) into delicious and chewy treats – add some of your favorite toppings like chocolate chips or coconut flakes!

You’ll find a few recipes online with instructions. Courtesy of Candice Kumai, this is a no-baking needed recipe…

  • Combine ¼ cup of melted coconut oil with 4 ½ cups of mini marshmallows
  • Followed by 6 ½ cups of rice Krispie cereal and 2 teaspoons of matcha
  • Press mixture into a square or rectangle baking pan and let set

Tip: If you live in a warm climate, consider refrigerating this treat as coconut oil will liquify on a very warm day.

When to drink matcha tea

A) Breakfast – One of the best times to drink matcha tea is in the morning before you start your day – its stimulant qualities will wake you up without making you feel jittery like coffee might do.

Matcha tea on an empty stomach can be quite energizing; especially when blended with milk or oat milk.

b) Sip it during the day – Matcha’s energy-boosting qualities make it perfect for a midday pick-me-up! It also makes an excellent before or after-workout drink.

Sustained energy release – One of the wonderful properties of matcha is that you can enjoy all its benefits without experiencing any caffeine crash later on in the day. It has moderate caffeine that it releases slowly to sustain the energy hit.

C) After dinner – Matcha tea has been shown to improve digestion, so if you’re looking for something sweet with your dessert but don’t want to spoil your appetite, try drinking some matcha instead!

D) Dessert time – When combined with sweets such as cakes, cookies, puddings, etc., Matcha adds a healthy alternative to flavor your dessert.

E) Afternoon tea time – Matcha is great for a pick-me-up at any time of the day but it’s also perfect if you’re looking for something refreshing and light in the afternoon.

F) Detoxing before bed – One awesome way to combat sleeplessness after a big meal (especially with chocolate involved!) is by drinking some matcha beforehand as it has a calming effect.

Tip: If you don’t have a teapot, a French press can substitute for brewing tea as well as coffee.

FAQ

©ceramiccookwarehub.com original article created: 2021-06-11