■What is matcha?
Matcha is a powder made from specially cultivated green tea leaves that are steamed, dried and finely ground on a stone mill. Due to its production process, matcha has a richer flavour and nutritional value than other green teas. Matcha plays an important role in the Japanese tea ceremony and in recent years it has gained worldwide attention among health and beauty conscious people.
■What is the best matcha powder?
When choosing the best matcha powder, it is important to focus on colour, aroma and taste. High-quality matcha is bright green in colour, has a mellow aroma and a well-balanced mix of bitter and sweet tastes. A number of high-quality matcha powders are available in Singapore, imported directly from Japan, and can be found in Japanese grocery shops and online.
Kyoeiseicha Organic UJI Matcha 30g
Kyoeiseicha Instant UJI Matcha Stick(30p)
■Benefits of matcha
Matcha is rich in antioxidants, which help prevent disease and delay ageing by removing active oxygen in the body. It also contains caffeine and L-theanine, which can improve concentration and relaxation. Other benefits include the promotion of metabolic rhythms and improvement of cholesterol levels.
■How to prepare matcha
To make matcha, place an appropriate amount of matcha powder in a tea bowl and add hot water (approx. 80°C). Next, whisk the tea in fast, small movements with a tea whisk to create a smooth, creamy froth. Generally, about 2 g of matcha powder is used per cup.
■How to make matcha
There is a wide range of recipes using matcha. It can be added to drinks and desserts such as matcha lattes, matcha smoothies, matcha ice cream and matcha cakes. When cooking with matcha powder, it is important to balance it with other ingredients to bring out the matcha flavour.
Here are some simple and tasty dishes that utilise matcha powder using ingredients available in Singapore.
Kyoeiseicha UJI Matcha Sweet Green Tea 150g
1.matcha latte
This refreshing drink is perfect for hot Singapore days. Enjoy a café-style matcha latte in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients:
1-2 teaspoons matcha powder
60 ml hot water
Sugar or honey (optional)
240 ml cold milk (or almond milk or soy milk)
How to make:
Put the matcha powder in a teacup and stir well with a whisk, adding the hot water little by little.
Add sugar or honey to taste and allow to dissolve.
Pour the matcha into a glass filled with ice.
Pour the cold milk slowly over the top and stir gently.
2.matcha pancakes
These fluffy and flavoursome matcha pancakes are perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients:
200 g light flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons matcha powder
300ml milk
1 egg
30 g melted butter
How to make:
Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and matcha powder in a bowl until well combined.
In a separate bowl, mix the milk and egg and add the melted butter.
Add the liquid ingredients to the flour bowl and mix until combined (no lumps should remain).
Pour the batter into a pan heated over medium heat and cook on both sides.
■How about some matcha green tea sweets with it?
Shofuan AOKI Milk Manju Bun IEMON GREEN TEA TSUKI GESHO 6pcs
We hope this article will be a useful resource for Singapore readers on matcha powder and help to expand the possibilities of matcha in health and cooking. We hope you find the best matcha powder and enjoy its rich taste and benefits to the fullest.
