Matcha cookies are easy to make and an excellent breakfast addition. But how well do you know your matcha powder? Matcha, originally from the Chinese heritage (Although associated with the Japanese more often), is a green colored powder ground from green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis plant). These leaves typically grow for 3 weeks while shaded before they are harvested and processed. Processing involves steaming and removing the veins and stems before drying and grinding. Compared to the other forms of tea, matcha powder is rich in caffeine and theanine. Since it is rich in antioxidants, it is an excellent antidote for illnesses like cancer and diabetes.
The Benefits of Matcha Powder
Acne Solution
Matcha powder has incredible benefits for your skin. It contains antioxidants that fight bacteria causing acne and therefore excellent for your beauty routine. If you suffer from regular acne outbreaks, make a face mask by adding a tablespoon of matcha powder with lemongrass oil and then apply on the face daily. This mixture will also help to eliminate any existing scars.
An Excellent Health Supplement
In addition to antioxidants, matcha is rich in beneficial micronutrients such as theanine, beta-carotene, vitamins B complex, A, E, and C, and chlorophyll.
Slows Down Several Types of Illnesses
From several scientific tests documented, we can conclude that matcha has a significant effect on illnesses such as diabetes.
Weight Loss
I look at this in two ways. First of all, taking a cup of tea before meals makes you fuller and you, therefore, end up eating less. Secondly, matcha contains a good amount of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which promotes the oxidation of fat in your body.
It Makes You More Alert
This is quite obvious with tea, isn’t it? But while most teas give you an overdose of caffeine, matcha gives your body l-theanine to enhance your cognitive performance.
Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipes
Let me now discuss a few ways you can enjoy a healthy dose of matcha powder in your breakfast using my all-time favorite matcha cookies.
Gluten-Free Matcha Cookies
Ingredients
- Homemade vegan butter – two sticks.
- Agave syrup – half cup.
- Vanilla extract – few drops.
- Gluten-free flour (buckwheat flour or quinoa flour) – two cups.
- Ground cashew nuts – half cup.
- Green matcha powder – one tablespoon.
- Powdered cardamom – 1 teaspoon.
- Herbal sea salt to taste.
Tip: To dust the cookies you will need a ½ tablespoon of green matcha powder mixed with a ½ tablespoon of powdered coconut sugar.
Procedure
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line the baking tray with a baking sheet to make cleaning easier and to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom. Alternatively, you could spray it with olive oil.
Beat the butter in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Now add the syrup and vanilla extract to the mixture while you mix well.
Sift in the dry ingredients (flour, cashew nuts, cardamom, salt, and matcha) and fold them into the liquid mixture. When the dough starts to thicken, get your hands in there and form a workable dough but don’t over knead.
Wrap the dough with cling wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or chill overnight. I love baking cookies in the morning. The aroma is alluring.
When you’re ready to bake, shape the dough into balls of your preferred size and place them on the baking sheet. If you have an ice cream scope, use it for even shapes. Bake for 15 minutes until they start to brown at the top.
Remove and cool the cookies in a cooling rack. Once cooled, dust the matcha and coconut sugar mixture and serve.
Mint, Mixed Nuts, and Matcha Cookies
Ingredients
- Ground walnuts – 1 cup.
- Ground almonds – ½ cup.
- Green matcha powder – one tablespoon.
- Quinoa flour (or buckwheat flour if you like) – 1/3 cup.
- Cocoa powder – 1/3 cup.
- Mint extract (crash a few mint leaves using a mortar and pestle) – few drops (it can be overpowering).
- Dates – 1 handful.
- Soy milk – ½ cup.
- Herbal sea salt to taste.
Tip: To garnish the cookies, you can make a mixture of 1 ½ tablespoon of agave syrup, 1 tablespoon of matcha powder, and 2 drops of peppermint extract.
Procedure
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredient using an electric mixer until consistent dough starts to form. Cover the bowl with a lid or cling film and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes until the dough is firm.
Dust a smooth surface with a little flour and roll out the dough using a rolling pin. Cut the desired shapes with a cookie cutter and bake them on a lined baking tray for 10 minutes or until well done.
Garnish and serve.
Note:
Cookies keep well frozen. Freeze them immediately they cool down in an airtight container and keep enjoying for the next 6 months.
Matcha Cupcakes
Ingredients
- Gluten-free plain white flour – 1 ¼ cups.
- Baking powder – 1 ¼ tablespoon.
- A pinch of salt.
- Matcha powder – 3 tablespoons.
- Coconut sugar – ¾ cup.
- Almond milk – ½ cup.
- Extra virgin Olive oil – ¼ cup.
Procedure
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large mixing bowl sieve the flour, matcha, baking powder, coconut sugar, and salt and mix them well. Create a well and pour in the wet ingredients (milk and olive oil). Using a wooden spoon, fold in taking care not to over mix.
Pour the mixture in cupcake molds and bake for 15-25 minutes.
A quick test when baking is to insert a toothpick. If it comes out clean, your queen cakes are done.
So What Makes Matcha Powder a More Superior Form of Green Tea?
If you’re familiar with Moringa and other versions of green teas, you might be wondering why matcha?
First and foremost, we ingest matcha in its whole form. With other teas, you have to filter the tea leaves and drink the diluted concoction.
Secondly, matcha does not undergo oxidation to mature its flavor, unlike the other teas. On the contrary, it is cured (via steaming) immediately it is harvested to prevent oxidation. And consequently, matcha has a lovely earthy flavor: Because most of the natural fragrances, nutritional compounds, and colors are preserved.
Finally (maybe I should have started with this one), the cultivation of Camellia sinensis plant (the source of Matcha), is in such a way that the plant has zero exposure to sunlight. Biologically, the lack of sunlight stimulates chlorophyll production. This makes matcha rich in the amino acid theanine, which has numerous health benefits.
In Conclusion
The above recipes should awaken your creativity. However, feel free to experiment with other versions of the ingredients. And in case the dough is too firm, add a tablespoon or two of water, you’ll be fine. And in the kitchen, other than baking matcha cookies use the powder to flavor your drinks. You can buy matcha online or at your local groceries.