Category: Matcha Recipes

Baking with Matcha and Beyond.

Getting The Most From Matcha. Baking and Beyond.

We all know about the benefits of matcha green tea, but have you ever considered using it as an ingredient in your cooking and baking? The subtle sweet grassy tones of matcha add an interesting flavour dimension, and when you understand how well it pairs with other ingredients the creative possibilities are endless.

So, whether you simply want to bring a bit more interest to your morning matcha latte, or bake some impressive matcha makes, read on to find out what you can do with matcha. And what you maybe can’t.

Matcha Flavour Pairings

Matcha is a hugely versatile ingredient that plays well with a variety of complementary tastes.

Sweet Vanilla

The creamy sweetness of vanilla is like a hug for matcha’s complex bitterness, softening its edge and adding a cosy warmth.

Rich Caramel

The deep, buttery notes of caramel melt into the earthy matcha, adding a rich, more complex sweetness.

White Chocolate

The creamy texture and sweet, milky flavour of white chocolate pair perfectly with matcha’s slightly bitter and earthy tones. Matcha loves anything creamy, and sweet.

Peppermint

Peppermint takes matcha in a different direction, bringing out the herbaceous quality of matcha, rather than rounding out bitterness. With a deft hand, you could balance both.

Toasty Nuts

Toasted nuts have their own element of bitterness, with a sweet creaminess that works alongside the bitterness of matcha. The toasted depth adds an extra layer of complexity.

Coconut

Coconut infuses a silky, exotic flavour that works in the same way as sweet and creamy flavours, yet with a different tropical dimension.

Bold Spices

Again, it is the sweet spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg that work well with creamy milky flavours, that pair well with matcha. You could push the boundaries though. Keep it milky, yet experiment with black or pink pepper; even Szechuan.

What not to pair with matcha

While matcha is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a broad range of flavours, there are a few that might not make the perfect match.

Citrus fruits, for instance, can overly accentuate matcha’s bitterness, creating a sharp taste that overshadows its nuanced flavours. The same goes for most acidic flavours. The key here is to balance out the acidity, with something richer. The fruity flavour of raspberries, for instance, goes well with matcha, yet it requires a careful hand to balance out their acidity.

Dark chocolate or coffee, with their bitter tones, can sometimes accentuate the bitter notes of matcha too much. Again, the key here is to balance out the bitterness with something creamier.

Too much sugar can also drown out the distinctive taste of matcha, turning a sophisticated flavour profile into a one-note sweetness.

Experimenting is key, but these guidelines can help maintain the integrity of matcha’s unique taste.

Ideas for Matcha Makes

  1. Matcha Shortbread Cookies: Incorporate matcha powder into your shortbread before baking.
  2. Matcha Chia Seed Pudding: Mix 1/4 cup of chia seeds with 1 cup matcha-infused milk, let it sit overnight, and top with berries in the morning.
  3. Matcha Tiramisu: Indulge in a decadent but simple dessert by layering matcha-soaked ladyfingers with a whipped mixture of mascarpone cheese, sugar, and cream, then dusting the top with matcha powder as the finishing touch.
  4. Matcha Mousse: Create a light and airy matcha mousse by folding matcha powder into whipped cream. Sweeten with powdered sugar and layer with crumbled biscuits for an easy, elegant dessert.
  5. Matcha White Chocolate Latte: Turn your matcha latte into a decadent winter treat with melted white chocolate. Top with whipped cream and a light sprinkle of matcha powder for a truly indulgent drink.
  6. White Chocolate Matcha Truffles: Melted 450g white chocolate into 250ml heavy cream. Add a tablespoon of matcha powder and leave it to set. Roll the mixture into balls and dust with matcha powder. Or dip in tempered melted white chocolate and leave to set.
  7. Matcha White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies: Give the classic cookie a twist by adding a hint of matcha to the dough. The nuttiness of macadamia pairs well with the sweetness of white chocolate chips.
  8. Creamy Matcha Panna Cotta: Delight in the silky texture of panna cotta with a matcha twist. Simply infuse the cream with matcha powder before setting it with gelatin and chilling. Go one step further and turn it into a creme caramel instead.
  9. Quick Matcha Cupcakes: Upgrade a vanilla cupcake mix and blend in a bit of matcha powder for an easy matcha upgrade. Top with vanilla frosting and a dusting of matcha.

Explore our range of matcha and other teas. Want to more about matcha? Read our article on the different grades of matcha explained.


This article was reproduced on this site with permission from operafoods.com.au the “Organic Matcha Tea importers”.
See original article:- Baking with Matcha and Beyond

Japanese cotton cheesecake with matcha green tea

matcha green tea japanese cheesecake

A bit of a baking phenomenon and yet another hit from the ever popular arena of Japanese food, is the Japanese cotton cheesecake. AKA jiggly cake. And yes, it reminds us of a certain Pokemon too…

What is Japanese cheesecake?

Japanese cotton cheesecake is perhaps better known as Jiggly cake. If you have ever seen those YouTube videos of Japanese bakeries, then you will know why. If you haven’t, then we recommend a look as it is a phenomenon best described in motion.

This half sponge/half cheesecake hybrid is made with a mixture of egg yolks, butter, and cream cheese, folded through whipped egg whites and stabilised with cornstarch. At first glance the texture is more superlight sponge than cheesecake, but the eating proves otherwise with the sour flavour notes and oddly creamy texture.

Interestingly, it would seem that the term Jiggly cake describes two kinds of Japanese cakes. The first (and incidentally the star of THOSE videos) is actually a sponge cake known as castella. Said to have been taken to Japan by the Portuguese in the 16th century, castella is a speciality of Nagasaki that CONTAINS NO CHEESE.

The second, the one that does contain cheese and thereby deserves the title of cheesecake is a more recent invention.

Both versions do however jiggle admirably.

What does Japanese cheesecake taste like?

As much about texture as taste, Japanese souffle cheesecake melts in your mouth and is as light as a cloud. Somewhere between spongecake and souffle, it isn’t overly sweet or cloying but you do a get a pleasing lactic tang from the cream cheese.

Is Japanese cheesecake gluten-free?

You could experiment with just using cornflour to make your cheesecake gluten-free, but most recipes also incorporate a little wheat flour to help stabilise the mix.

How to make a Japanese cheesecake

The process is not difficult yet it should not be rushed. It is after all Japanese and relies on focus, precision and due care. It is a little fiddly but the actual bake is quite forgiving so it is difficult to overcook. Do not be disheartened if it shrinks a bit on cooling, especially the first few times.

Cream cheese and butter need to be at room temperature and spreadably soft so they are easy to blend. Egg whites are easier to whip when at room temperature, but the eggs themselves are easier to separate when cold.

You want a cream cheese that is creamy and soft, yet with a good old-fashioned tang.

Matcha green tea Japanese cheesecake recipe

Matcha green tea is the perfect flavouring for a cake like this, with its subtle herbal tones and slightly sour sweetness. Read about the different grades of matcha green tea.

You will need an 8 inch round cake tin.

225g cream cheese, really soft

60g butter, really soft

6 egg yolks

60g sugar

70g flour

3 tbsp cornstarch

2 tsp matcha powder

60ml milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

For the meringue

6 egg whites

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

60g sugar

Icing sugar – for dusting

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C.
  2. Grease and line your cake tin.
  3. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  4. Beat in the egg yolks and the sugar.
  5. Beat in the flour, cornstarch, and matcha powder.
  6. Add the salt, milk, and vanilla.
  7. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites with the cream of tartar.
  8. Once they are fluffy, gradually whisk in the sugar until the mixture is smooth, glossy and forms soft peaks. This means that when you pull some of the mix up with a spoon it stands and keeps its shape, but the peaks bend softly at the top.
  9. Using a large metal spoon carefully fold the egg whites through the cream cheese mix until fully incorporated.
  10. Pour the batter into your prepared tin.
  11. Place the tin in a baking tray, and fill with cold water to reach a third of the way up the cake tin.
  12. Bake for 15 mins at 200C. Turn the oven down to 140C and bake for a further 30 minutes.
  13. Turn the oven off and leave for a further 30 minutes.
  14. The test for doneness is the same as a sponge cake. It will spring back when you press the top, and a skewer will come out clean. It is quite forgiving so rather over bake than under.
  15. After it has sat in the cooling oven for 30 minutes it will be cool enough to tip out onto your hand and then onto a plate.
  16. Leave to cool completely before dusting with icing sugar and slicing to serve.

Does Japanese cheesecake need to be refrigerated?

Japanese souffle cheesecake can be served whilst still warm from the oven, and will keep for an afternoon out on the kitchen counter at room temperature. After that you will need to keep it in the fridge where it will sit quite happily for up to 5 days. Do keep it covered though so it does not absorb all the flavours of the fridge.

Can you freeze Japanese cotton cheesecake?

You can freeze it too. Either in individual slices or as the whole thing. Wrap in cling film, and then in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

 

Don’t forget to stock up on organic matcha tea online and take advantage of our wholesale prices.


This article was reproduced on this site with permission from operafoods.com.au the “Bulk Suppliers of Organic Asian Groceries”.
See original article:- Japanese Cotton Cheesecake with Matcha Green Tea

Green means glow – with a matcha tea face mask

matcha tea face mask

Green tea has many health benefits. Containing powerful antioxidants, it comes as no surprise that many of these involve our skin.

Many studies suggest that there are benefits to both drinking green tea and applying it topically. Making a matcha tea face mask is the ideal place to begin exploring the benefits of matcha skin care.

Is matcha green tea good for your skin?

Matcha green tea is good for your skin in so many ways. It contains a group of antioxidants known as catechins, more specifically a compound known as EGCG, that are directly involved in cell growth and repair. Green tea also has many anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that can help with hormonal acne. as well as Vitamin B2 for maintaining collagen levels and Vitamin E to nourish and hydrate.

The benefits of a matcha face mask

Many of the benefits of green tea are triggered from within but there are specific benefits to using it directly on the skin.

  1. Brighten dull skin
  2. Help retain moisture and hydration
  3. Fight wrinkles and firm sagging skin
  4. Work against acne bacteria and reduce sebum production
  5. Help puffy eyes
  6. Clearing clogged pores

Make a matcha tea face mask

If you make your own matcha skin mask then you are in full control of the ingredients. Green tea is a big thing in the beauty world but the quality and quantity of active ingredients can vary. Many cosmetic brands contain artificial ingredients and preservatives to extend shelf life. Whilst these may be deemed skin safe what you put on your body is as important as what you put in your body. Thankfully all of our matcha green tea powder is 100% certified organic. 

When creating your own DIY beauty products it is just as important to do a patch test. Apply a small amount to the skin on the inside of your elbow to make sure your skin is not sensitive to the ingredients you are using.

The recipe below is for a honey and matcha face mask, because why not harness the healing power of honey too. You could also use natural yoghurt or olive oil. Or just make a paste with plain old water. Whatever suits you.

Recipe for honey and matcha face mask

This makes enough for one faceful, but you could make up more and store it in an airtight container in a cool dark place.

1 tsp matcha green tea powder

1 tbsp raw honey

  1. Mix the ingredients together well.
  2. Apply all over the face, avoiding the eyes but covering the skin around the eyes.
  3. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and remove with a warm wet cloth.

Use once a week.

We stock a variety of grades of  high quality organic matcha powder. Our green tea powder is also available to buy in bulk online at wholesale prices.


This article was reproduced on this site only with permission from operafoods.com.au the “Gourmet Online Wholesale Grocer”. See original article:- Green Means Glow With a Matcha Tea Face Mask

Four great matcha ice cream recipes. Because one size does not fit all.

matcha ice cream scoop

Try our matcha ice cream recipes; four different ways.

Using matcha in recipes doesn’t just boost the nutrient profile of a dish. As an ingredient in its own right it lends an air of sophistication and, despite being popular for a few years now, comes with supercool cutting edge credentials.

We recommend using premium grade matcha powder for all culinary uses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What does matcha ice cream taste like?

Clearly the flavour depends on your ingredients, but the basic flavour profile is sweet and grassy. Not too creamy and not too sweet, good matcha ice cream feels smooth in the mouth and has a slightly bitter finish.With its herbal notes and refreshing finish it is the perfect end to a meal, or a cooling treat on a hot day.

How to make matcha ice cream

matcha ice cream

There are many ways to make matcha ice cream, from classic style in an ice cream machine to vegan cheats with frozen banana. Our matcha ice cream recipes make it easy, whether you are short on time or just don’t do dairy.

Classic matcha ice cream recipe

Classic ice cream uses eggs and involves using an ice cream machine. You can make it without a machine by taking it out of the freezer and stirring it every hour to break up the ice crystals. A tablespoon of liquid glucose in the custard mix helps to create a softer ice cream too.

1 1/4 cups double cream

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

2 tbsp matcha powder

  1. Whisk together eggs and sugar until thick and pale.
  2. Beat in the matcha powder.
  3. Heat the milk and cream together in a saucepan over a medium heat, until not quite boiling.
  4. Whisk the warm mixture into the matcha egg mix.
  5. Return to the pan and stir continuously over a low heat until the mixture coats the back of the spoon. About 10 minutes.
  6. Churn according to your machine directions or freeze as above.

No-churn matcha ice cream

This recipe has only 3 ingredients, and does not contain eggs, yet is as close as it gets to the real deal.

1.5 cups double cream

2/3 cup condensed milk

2 tbsp matcha powder

  1. Sprinkle the matcha powder over the double cream.
  2. Whisk until it forms soft peaks.
  3. Carefully fold in the condensed milk.
  4. Pour into a container and freeze until set.

Vegan matcha ice cream

There are numerous ways to make vegan nice cream but the quickest is to use frozen banana. It won’t have the same taste as its dairy counterpart, but as frozen treats go it is still pretty cool. You can use any non-dairy milk, or for a thicker sweeter ice cream use coconut cream. It will be coconutty, but the flavours go quite well with the acidic grassy tones of matcha. We use a relatively large amount of matcha powder to offset the bolder flavours of the other ingredients.

3 bananas, frozen in chunks

1/3 cup almond milk

1 tbsp matcha powder

  1. Let the banana defrost slightly so it is easier to blend.
  2. Blitz the ingredients together in a food processor or high powered blender.
  3. Serve immediately.

Really easy matcha ice cream

You can make a really simple matcha ice cream with vanilla ice cream. Use 1 tsp of matcha powder for each 120g serving of ice cream. Allow the vanilla ice cream to soften and beat in the matcha powder. Either refreeze until required, or eat immediately soft serve style.

 

Take a look at our ceremonial grade matcha online, or head over to our wholesale organic food store for more gourmet grocery ideas.

Cooking with Matcha – How to Make Matcha Donuts


This video shows the recipe and the how-to, in easy steps, to make this Matcha recipe for Match donuts with matcha icing

How to Create Your Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe At Home?

Matcha Tea Latte a popular tea beverage was unheard in Australia before a decade ago but now almost every coffee shop provides with this delicious Matcha powder drink. It has been given various names by most of the famous cafes in Australia while some boasts of its meditative qualities others call it as the “perfect Zen” or “the healthy superfood”. The best thing about Matcha Latte is that it can easily be made at home.

Buy the Imperial Matcha Tea powder from Peptea and take it in a mug or cup. Then add warm water and mix it with a spoon until it turns into a dark green paste. Warm the milk in a saucepan and pour it into the mug and stir well till it turns light green in color. Then add a few sprinkles of Matcha Powder on top for decorations. If you are looking for an ice-cold Matcha Latte then use cold milk instead of hot milk and add some ice cubes for the chill.

Order your Imperial Matcha Powder wholesale right now from Peptea.

 

Why Matcha Tea Powder Is A “Powerhouse Of Antioxidants”

Matcha Tea powder contains a powerhouse of antioxidants. In recent years people have become more aware of the different health benefits which can be gained by drinking just a cup of Green Tea. But still, it is just unthinkable that every day unknowingly we throw away such huge quantities of antioxidants and minerals which are present in tea leaves.
A cup of green tea is only able to extract a limited amount of minerals and antioxidants but that does not mean you have to start eating tea leaves.

We suggest you switch your taste to matcha tea which provides a simple solution as it uses the whole of the tea leaf. It provides numerable minerals and antioxidants and proven health benefits. It has even been proven that 1 cup of Matcha tea is equal to drinking 10 cups of green tea.

Pep Tea is an Australian brand which specializes in organic Matcha wholesale. We have different varieties of Matcha Tea powder available in our store. All our products are organic and of high quality which are grown in the famous southern tea plantations of Japan.

Pep Tea brand matcha products are certified by the Japanese agriculture ministry before packing. We have the Supreme, Imperial and Premium Matcha tea powder which are available in packs of 30gm, 100gm, and 1kg. All these products can be ordered from wholesale matcha distributor Opera Foods.

A Brief History of Matcha Tea

The word Matcha has its origin from Japan. In Japanese “Cha” means tea, and “Ma” means powder. Hence the unique traditional style of making tea in Japan was called Matcha. In this technique, the tea leaves are ground into a fine powder.  Over the years the Japanese perfected the art of ceremonial Matcha tea making.

All our Matcha powder products are authentic Japanese certified and organic in nature. The Matcha Powder of Peptea is grown by the ministry of agriculture, Japan in the southern regions of Japan like Kyoto Mie and Aichi.

Our Matcha products are one of the most powerful natural superfoods available in Australia. After the Matcha leaves are grounded into fine powder they are stored away from sunlight and oxygen to preserve its bright green color and antioxidant properties.

Matcha Tea is a powerhouse of antioxidant, order Peptea’s Matcha from matcha powder wholesale distributor Opera Foods, and enjoy the amazing benefits by drinking a cup every day.

Hot Matcha Tea or Iced Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is also a type of green tea in which the young tea leaves are ground down into a bright green powder. In a normal green tea, you are just getting a part of the nutrients as the rest are thrown away but with Matcha tea, you’re drinking the whole tea leaves.

You can drink Matcha tea with hot water as well as cold water and ice because with Matcha tea you can experience the same benefits in both the ways.

You can make a Hot Matcha Tea when you are drinking tea with a casual breakfast. The combination to make your perfect Matcha tea, you should keep the ratio as one teaspoon of our Peptea brand organic Matcha powder and six ounces of water. Boil the water first and then let it cool down a bit. Take one teaspoon of powder and mix it with two ounces of water first, then add the rest of the water into it. You can also add sweeteners to taste and be sure to stir the cup once the powder settles down at the bottom.

If you feel like drinking tea at any time of the day you can go for the Iced Matcha Tea. It is easier to make than the Hot Matcha Tea. The combination to make your perfect Iced Matcha tea, take one-half teaspoon of our Pep tea brand organic Matcha powder and mix it with few ounces of water to create a smooth paste. Add about 10-12 ounces of water, and sugar. Keep it in direct sunlight for about 15-20 minutes and add Ice and sweetener to enjoy your delicious cup of Iced Matcha Tea.

Pep Tea’s Imperial – The Best Matcha I Have Had

100g Imperial Matcha Organic Green Tea

Here is what a new customer had to say about Pep Tea’s Imperial Matcha tea powder today.

By: Brenton on 13 February 2017

“The matcha is exquisite. The best matcha I have had, the Imperial is very refined, with a fine, light but clear green tea flavour with a smooth profile whose exquisitely subtle taste curve calls out for another sip.

My favorite tipple, in the heat of the Northern Rivers’ summer, is as an Iced Match Latte, made with our home-made almond milk, a touch of honey and vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg – shaken in a cocktail shaker with lots of ice. Purists might grimace, or even scowl and howl, but our daily morning tea ceremony is sacred to us – and refreshing, uplifting and stimulating!

Thanks Michele for a great product – and your very ethical and sincere business attitude.

Warm Regards”

BP, Chinderah NSW