Tea, Terrific Tea

Green tea may be healthy but matcha tea packs a healthier punch and it’s been rather food trendy. These three easy recipes introduce you to matcha powder.

Matcha is a powder made from whole green tea leaves. Ingesting the whole leaf means we can enjoy more benefits of green tea. (This does not mean you can sip matcha in one hand and nosh on a gigantic sticky bun with the other and still be healthy. Sorry.)

Green tea is rich in antioxidants (antioxidants fight disease producing free-radicals in a way similar to lemon juice preventing an apple slice from browning due to oxidation). Matcha is also an energy booster. A cup of matcha tea makes a healthy mid-afternoon pick-me-up or an alternative to the pep a cup of coffee offers.

Sneak matcha into your smoothie or juicing routine and be sure to give these recipes a try. The taste of matcha tea is very distinctive and I’ve created three recipes to get you started.

Purchase matcha at some local health food stores or online.

Iced Matcha Latte

vegan and gluten-free

Recipe Phoebe Canakis, PhoebesPureFood.com

Yield: 1 serving

The creaminess of the lite coconut milk makes this sip extra special and can be enjoyed chilled or warm. If you prefer use honey or maple syrup to sweeten.

Ingredients

• • 1 teaspoon matcha powder

• • 1 teaspoon water

• • 2 teaspoon raw agave

• • 3/4 cup lite canned coconut milk

• • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Directions 

In a tall glass stir the matcha, water and agave until smooth; add ice. Pour coconut milk and juice over ice and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange or a pinch of grated orange peel.

Recipe notes:

• • Alternatively prepare in a cocktail shaker. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, give a good shake, strain over ice.

• • If you really enjoy the taste of matcha add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder.

• • Prepare as a hot latte by using steamed coconut milk.

Iced Mint Matcha Latte

vegan and gluten-free

Recipe Phoebe Canakis, PhoebesPureFood.com

Yield: 1 serving

Try this version of iced mint tea for something a little special. Replace the milk with sparking water or sweeten with honey or maple syrup, if you prefer.

Ingredients

• • 3/4 cup water

• • 1 bag mint tea

• • 1 teaspoon matcha powder

• • 2 teaspoons agave

• • 1/4 cup non-dairy milk

• • Fresh mint

Directions

1. 1. Simmer the mint tea and water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea and allow to cool.

1. 1. In a tall glass mix the matcha powder and agave until smooth; add ice.

1. 1. Pour the mint tea and milk over the ice and stir. Garnish with fresh mint.

Iced Chai Latte 

Recipe Phoebe Canakis, PhoebesPureFood.com

Yield: 2 servings

This recipe is a favorite from my catered events. You may feel some of the spices are too exotic to keep in the pantry, banish the thought. They store well and have many uses. Use cardamon or anise when steaming your rice, for savory sauces or to create a lovely spiced simple syrup to use for dessert, fruit or iced drinks, spritzers or cocktails.

Ingredients

• • 4 cups water

• • 5 bags black tea

• • 7 whole peppercorns

• • 5 clove buds

• • 2 cardamom pods

• • 1 star anise

• • 1, 3-inch cinnamon stick

• • 1 tablespoon fresh orange peel

• • Agave or honey

• • 1/2 cup lite coconut milk

• • Orange slices

• • Cinnamon powder

Directions

1. 1. Bring water to a gentle boil, add tea, peppercorns, clove, cardamom, anise, cinnamon and orange. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

1. 1. Remove tea bags and sweeten to taste. Allow to cool.

1. 1. Strain chai into two glasses, add ice and milk; stir. Garnish with orange slices and cinnamon powder. Enjoy!