We all like delicious cookies – what if we prepared a green version using matcha? This Japanese powdered tea has recently been breaking all records of popularity due to its unique taste and health-promoting properties. You can drink it, but it is also an ingredient in desserts, as in this case.
Matcha – powdered Japanese tea – is taking the world by storm. What distinguishes it is the extremely careful, multi-stage production process, which makes it so valuable. It goes as follows:
- Shading bushes. About 3 weeks before the tea harvest, the bushes are shaded using bamboo mats or special nets. The idea is to limit the access of light, thanks to which the plant produces more chlorophyll and amino acids, thanks to which matcha has its characteristic green color and delicate taste.
- Collection of leaves. The leaves are collected by hand. Importantly, in the case of the highest quality matcha, the most delicate leaves are collected from the first spring harvest.
- Steaming and drying leaves. After harvesting, the leaves are steamed for a short time (approx. 30 seconds) to stop oxidation. This allows it to retain its characteristic color and nutrients.
- Removing stems and veins. The leaves are cleaned so that only the soft parts remain.
- Grinding on stone mills. Finally, it’s time for the traditional grinding process, which is slow. You can get 30 grams of matcha in an hour. This happens slowly so as not to overheat the leaves and lose their valuable properties.
The most important health properties of matcha include: a positive effect on metabolism and the fact that it may have antioxidant effects. Thanks to its high chlorophyll content, it also has cleansing properties and supports the removal of toxins from the body. Matcha is also good for better immunity and reduces stress, regulates blood pressure, and can lower the level of “bad” cholesterol. It also has a beneficial effect on libido.
Although matcha in liquid form is, of course, the most popular, it turns out that it offers many possibilities. Matcha is not just for drinking? Of course. Social media is dominated by various recipes for culinary variations with matcha in the main role. If you also want something more than a green latte, maybe you can invite matcha to… the oven?
Check simple recipe for cookies with matcha and white chocolate. Their preparation is very simple and their taste is original. You can surprise guests with them or do it simply for everyday use.
Ingredients list:
- 180 g of flour,
- a teaspoon of baking powder,
- 20 g matcha powder,
- 130 g of butter,
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla sugar,
- 50 g of white sugar,
- white chocolate bar,
- one L or two M eggs.
Prepare a larger bowl. Pour flour and baking powder into it, then matcha powder. Stir.
In a separate bowl, place the butter (it should be soft), vanilla sugar and white sugar. Mix.
Add the egg to the butter and sugars and mix.
Then put the mixed mass into a bowl with flour, powder and matcha. Mix everything, also using a mixer.
Finely chop a white chocolate bar, add it to the entire cookie mixture and mix.
Form cookies and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for about 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
Sources: mymatcha.pl, Terazgotuje.pl
