We are all familiar with the phenomenal health benefits of consuming green tea. Loaded with antioxidants, green tea has been shown to ward off the signs of aging, fight cancer, reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol. In recent years, health food trends have seen a surge in the popularity of matcha green tea products.
A product of finely ground green tea, matcha has been used in Japanese culture for hundreds of years, only recently gaining popularity in the West. In its finely ground form, matcha takes the nutritional benefits of green tea to another level. The potent green powder provides a concentrated dose of all that classic green tea has to offer, amplifying both its flavor and nutritional potency.
A Versatile Recipe Ingredient
With a pungent and slightly bitter flavor profile, this concentrated powder is most commonly consumed as a brewed tea. However, with its increasing popularity and inspiring health benefits, matcha is fast becoming a popular ingredient in a broad range of health-conscious recipes. From smoothies and lattes to muffins and macaroons, the vibrant chlorophyll-rich green color of matcha seems to be cropping up everywhere.
Numerous Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
But why has matcha become so popular?
As a concentrated superdose of green tea, matcha is an abundant source of health-giving nutrition, with some of the most well-documented potential benefits being:
- Aiding and assisting detoxification
- Assisting weight loss
- Prevention of certain cancers
- Producing a calming effect on anxiety
- Cholesterol reduction
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Improved memory and concentration
How to Add Matcha Powder to Your Diet
With such an impressive array of potential benefits, it’s no wonder matcha is fast becoming a pantry staple of the health-conscious. With an impressive list of uses as long as the list of benefits, here are some of the best ways to incorporate some of this potent superfood into your daily diet:
- Add the powder to your morning smoothie
- Stir into yogurt to accompany morning granola
- Stir into steamed and frothed milk of your choice for an antioxidant-rich latte
- Add two teaspoons to muffin or cake batter
- Add a teaspoon to overnight chia breakfast pudding
- Add to homemade ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Add a teaspoon to breakfast pancake batter
- Use a pinch of the powder as a seasoning over roasted vegetables
- Add a pinch of matcha to your favorite spice mix when preparing a curry or spice rub
Adding a little powdered matcha to some of your daily meals can go a long way in supporting your body’s health. This fun and simple recipe for coconut, lime and matcha ice cream is the ultimate superfood treat! Easy to prepare, the recipe does not require the use of an ice cream maker and is ready in just a few simple steps. Naturally free from dairy, gluten and refined sugars, this is a healthy treat for the whole family to enjoy.
An Easy-to-Adjust Ingredient
Of course, our staple flavor here is matcha. Being such an intensely concentrated tea, matcha can be slightly bitter. The recipe calls for 1/2 tablespoon of matcha powder creating a robust green tea flavor. This can be adjusted to your taste, however, by either using slightly less powder or adding more maple syrup to sweeten the ice cream. Matcha can also boost energy and support exercise recovery, making this a great treat to have on workout days.
The base of the ice cream is made from full-fat coconut milk. It is important to give the milk a good shake before using to ensure the fats and liquid are blended well. An excellent source of healthy fats, coconut milk is an excellent source of electrolytes, ideal for replenishing the body after exercise.
To complement the vibrant green matcha and the tropical flavor of coconut, lime juice and lime zest bring a citrus twist to this refreshing ice cream. A natural detoxifier, lime juice supports a healthy digestive system and possesses potent cancer-fighting properties.
Maple syrup is used to sweeten the ice cream and balance the bitterness of the matcha. A great alternative to refined sugar, maple syrup contains antioxidants alongside supplying a dose of crucial vitamins and minerals.
Although no ice cream maker is required, a food processor is needed to ensure a well-blended and silky smooth ice cream. Once the ice cream is set, it can be left at room temperature for 10 minutes until it is soft enough to serve and then can be enjoyed immediately.
Coconut, Lime and Matcha Tea Ice Cream
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 cans full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 tablespoon matcha powder
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
- Zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 1/2 a lime
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to a food processor.
Blend the mixture thoroughly until combined fully and completely smooth.
Pour the blended mixture into a shallow freezer-proof dish or tray.
Transfer the mixture to the freezer for 90 minutes.
Remove from the freezer and stir the mixture well with a fork, breaking up any frozen pieces. Smooth the matcha tea ice cream so that it is level and return to the freezer for another 90 minutes.
Remove the ice cream from the freezer and transfer to a food processor.
Blend the ice cream until completely smooth.
Pour the mixture back into the freezer-proof dish, ensuring it is smooth and level, and return to the freezer to set for at least 90 minutes or until set to your preferred consistency.
Remove the matcha tea ice cream from the freezer 15 to 20 minutes before serving to soften, and then serve immediately.
SERVES: 6
Total time: Around 5 hours Prep time: 15 minutes Freezing time: 4 1/2 hours (minimum)
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Calories 307 Fat 28g Carbs 13g Protein 4.5gProtein: 4.5g
For your guide to the best foods to heal your body, check out The Best Foods that Rapidly Slim & Heal in 7 Days, here!
