Friday, April 9, 2010

Matcha Green Tea Latte

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants.  According to research, its benefits include lowering cholesterol, weight loss, fighting cancer and heart disease much more.  It took a while for me to warm up to green tea because when I made it it always tasted bitter so I ended up adding a ton of sugar, thus negating the effectiveness of the brew, I'm sure.  I found out later that the tea should be prepared with hot but not boiling water and it made all the difference.

Matcha tea is reported to have even higher levels of antioxidant than green tea leaves so I decided to give it a try and now I'm hooked.  I've made matcha smoothies and lattes and I can't wait to try it in food recipes.  Here's my recipe for matcha latte:


Matcha Green Tea Latte
created with love by LBTurner

1 1/2 teaspoons powdered Matcha green tea
1 tablespoon powdered creamer
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tablespoons honey or sweeten to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups hot water

Add the 2 1/2 cups of water to a pot and bring to a gentle boil.  Turn off the flame and set it aside.  Mix together the powdered green tea, creamer and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl.  With a wire whisk or bamboo whisk (chasen), slowly whisk the water into the mixing bowl.  Add the honey or sweetener and vanilla extract and continue to whisk. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of fresh whipped cream if desired.  Makes approximately 2 1/2 cups.


Substitutions:
Substitute the powdered creamer with soy or whey protein
Substitute the honey with agave nectar, brown sugar or other sweetener

Want more info on the health benefits of green tea?  Check out these websites:

4 comments:

  1. need to try this! Tea Latte is definitely interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. @Uma, you're welcome! I'm really glad I decided to make this latte. I love it and it's very cost effective since I'm making it at home.

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  3. I love tea, but my allergist told me I counldt drink green tea becaues of my allergies. I love chia tea, I drink it all the time.. I wish I could drink this... :(

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  4. @Amanda, sorry you can't drink green tea! You definitely want to avoid anything that activate allergy symptoms. I love chai tea too--can never get enough chai tea. :>)

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