The obsession with matcha began many years ago when Gwyneth Paltrow in one interview told about her firm decision to abandon coffee and switch to this tonic drink. Up to this point, matcha was known only to a handful of vegans and fans of Japan. Ordinary people reacted to matcha fans as sectarians.
However, a lot of time has passed since then, and a healthy lifestyle has become an integral part of glamour just as a selfie or high heels. Matcha latte today is served in the most glamorous cafes in the different capitals of the world; food bloggers make matcha ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, and muffins; vegan bloggers make vegan matcha latte, and beauty bloggers are heavily promoting homemade matcha face masks and matcha scrubs.
So, What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a special kind of green tea made of a plant with the complex name Camellia Sinensis. During the growth period, this plant produces a large amount of tannin and caffeine. A combination of tannin and caffeine simultaneously soothes and recharges your body with energy. Matcha tea has been popular in China and Japan since time immemorial, and it, by the way, was used not only for the preparation of drinks but also as a dye.
Amazing Benefits Of Matcha Tea
Matcha contains 10 times more antioxidants than regular green tea. Oxides are barbaric oxygen molecules that lose one electron and become unstable under the influence of negative factors (ecology, solar radiation, stress, smoking, poor nutrition, lack of sleep). To stabilize, these molecules of unstable oxygen move through the body and steal electrons from other decent molecules, destroying collagen and launching inflammatory processes.
Products with high antioxidant properties (such as matcha) have the ability to bind this unstable oxygen and remove it from the body. All this makes matcha an indispensable drink for those who care about skin health. Moreover, matcha is useful to drink on vacation to compensate for long-term harm from sunburn.
Matcha Detox
Matcha is an effective detox tool. It helps the liver clean itself so matcha is often prescribed as part of complex programs of recovery and weight loss. At the same time, matcha has the ability to activate natural metabolism and help your body burn bad fat reserves.
Matcha is one of the most effective appetite suppressors, as this tea contains a lot of fiber.
Moreover, matcha contains a huge amount of chlorophyll, a substance that helps to bind and remove heavy metals from your body.
Matcha helps a soft awakening and focusing, essentially acting like coffee, but without the reverse effect of caffeine exhaustion familiar to anyone who drinks too much espresso at one time “to Wake up.”
Vegan Matcha Latte
If you are a purist and a lover of pure flavors, then you can brew matcha in the traditional way. For doing this you should fill 1-2 tsp of matcha powder with hot water (around 185 degrees, not boiling water). Whisk the matcha with a special whisk in a zig-zag motion until matcha and water create a paste consistency. Keep in mind that there should not be any lumps in the tea! Then pour matcha tea into cups.
However, this method is an amateur, because in its pure form matcha has a pretty bitter taste. A much more popular (and much more glamorous) drink has long been a matcha latte, the recipes of which I’m going to share with you below.
Vegan HOT Matcha Latte Recipe
For making matcha tea you will need a bamboo tea whisk and a tea bowl. Optional: a blender.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp hot water
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 1/4 tsp matcha powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or another sweetener you like)
- 1 tbsp coconut butter (optional)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder (optional)
Instructions:
- Add matcha powder to a tea bowl along with maple syrup (or another sweetener of your choice), hot water, vanilla powder (optional) and coconut butter (optional).
- Whisk the matcha with a bamboo tea whisk in a zig-zag motion until completely dissolved. Make sure there are no lumps! Optional: you may use a blender instead.
- Once your matcha is ready, mix coconut and almond milk and heat them up.
- First, pour your matcha into your cup. And then pour your steamed dairy-free milk mixture into your cup.
- Stir it. Taste it. And add more sweetener if needed.
- Enjoy your hot and creamy vegan matcha latte immediately!
Vegan ICED Vegan Matcha Latte Recipe
For making an iced vegan matcha latte we’ll be using a blender.
Ingredients:
- 3 coconut milk ice cubes + more for serving
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or another sweetener you like)
- 1 tsp natural vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Freeze coconut milk in an ice cube tray until solid
- Add coconut and almond milk into a blender along with matcha powder, coconut milk ice cubes, vanilla and sweetener of your choice. Blend on high speed, making sure there are no lumps left.
- Put the rest of coconut milk ice cubes into a serving glass or jar. Pour your matcha tea into your glass over coconut milk ice cubes.
- Enjoy your iced vegan matcha latte right away!