Passionate about matcha green tea? From the best matcha latte to matcha cookies, here are some of our favorite matcha recipes you can enjoy every day and on special occasions.
Set as a trendy flavor at the forefront of the culinary scene, matcha (抹茶), or green tea powder, has taken the world by storm in recent years. Trendy or not, matcha is a long-standing staple in Japan that never goes out of style.
Made from whole green tea leaves that have been pulverized into a fine powder, matcha is the embodiment of Japanese tradition and it’s best known for its beneficial antioxidants.
The unmistakable green hue, the intense earthy flavor, and the versatility are what make matcha an outstanding ingredient. Comes in both ceremonial grade and food-grade, you can enjoy the green tea as a drink or use it as a flavoring in baking and cooking.
Here we rounded up our favorite 15 matcha recipes that you can enjoy every day or on special occasions. Let’s bring on the matcha magic!
15 Matcha Recipes You Must Try at Home
1. Matcha Latte
Invigorating and calming, this Matcha Green Tea Latte is the obvious alternative to espresso, especially on a chilly day. No fancy barista skills are required. The best part? It gives you a gentle caffeine boost and energizes you without the jitters. For dairy-free options, you can use oat milk. Some people use coconut milk, but I personally find the taste overpowering.
Prefer a cool drink? You can also find my Iced Matcha Latte recipe here.
2. Matcha Cookies
Perfect for a cozy afternoon snack or for your cookie swap during the holiday season, these Matcha Green Tea Cookies are buttery and crispy. They are just as delicious without white chocolate chips.
3. Matcha Basque Cheesecake
Basque cheesecake with matcha flavor? Yes, please. You’ll love the lingering sweet green tea flavor in this custardy cheesecake.
4. Matcha Madeleines 抹茶マドレーヌ
Classic French cookies with a Japanese twist, these Matcha Madeleines make the most dreamy sweet treat. Invite your friends over and enjoy them with a cup of Japanese tea like sencha, hojicha, or genmaicha.
5. Matcha Smoothie
If you are looking for a power morning drink or a pick-me-up, this Matcha Smoothie is a smart refreshing choice. All you need is banana, almond milk, and matcha powder.
6. Matcha Ice Cream
The ideal flavor of matcha ice cream should be a perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and slightly bitter. Many store-bought ones tend to be overly creamy or milky and lack true matcha flavor. Let me show you how you should be making matcha ice cream just like the quality ones we get in Japan! You’ll need only 4 simple ingredients.
7. Matcha Souffle
Fluffy soufflé accented with green tea powder, this Matcha Soufflé is the dessert to serve when you’re feeling extra fancy. If you’d like, go ahead to top it off with a dollop of hand-whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
8. How To Make Matcha (Japanese Green Tea)
Drinking this beloved Japanese tea every morning is the best way to enjoy the health benefits of green tea. If you’d like to create a ritual of drinking matcha regularly, I recommend getting simple tools such as a chawan (tea bowl) and a chasen (tea whisk) for your tea making. Learn how to make the perfect cup today!
9. Matcha Chiffon Cake
Made with eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, cake flour, and green tea powder, this Matcha Chiffon Cake is moist and spongy. A perfect light cake for a crowd, you can bake it ahead of time and serve it with coffee or tea at a dinner party.
10. Matcha Chocolate
You can now recreate one of the most popular Japanese souvenirs at home with this decadent Matcha Chocolate (or Matcha Nama Chocolate) recipe. Made with white chocolate, butter, and cream and dusted with Japanese green tea powder, this truffle-like chocolate is simply irresistible.
11. Matcha Steamed Cake
Steamed Cake or Mushi Pan (蒸しパン) is a light, fluffy, and soft cake. Because they are steamed, these Green Tea Mushi Pan make a wonderful snack for little kids.
12. Matcha Gateau au Chocolat
A Japanese rendition of the classic French chocolate cake! Made with white chocolate and green tea, this Matcha Gateau au Chocolat is rich, moist, and intensely flavorful. Warm it up slightly before you enjoy it—the melty texture is to die for!
13. Ujikintoki (Matcha Shaved Ice)
A traditional Japanese matcha shaved ice dessert, Ujikintoki is a summer must-try recipe! With a simple shaved ice machine, you and your family can enjoy this refreshing treat all summer long. Have fun with toppings such as red bean paste, shiratama dango, sweetened condensed milk, and green tea ice cream.
14. Matcha Donuts
First we need to be honest: These wildly popular donuts Matcha Donuts in Japan are downright addictive! The homemade versions are baked so they are healthier. The texture is more cake-like and moist. Skip the chocolate glaze if you prefer less sweet.
15. Matcha Pudding
Smooth and delicate triple layered Matcha Pudding with Japanese red bean paste, this elegant dessert is easier to make than you think. Serve this as an after-dinner dessert for a small crowd. Your guests will be impressed!
Where to Buy Best Matcha Powder
In general, you’ll find two main grades of matcha: ceremonial and culinary. Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality matcha powder and is meant to drink solely as a tea mixed with hot water. We usually use it for special occasions or at tea ceremonies.
I recommend using premium-quality matcha and choosing matcha imported from Japan as the processing is more consistent.
You can find pure matcha powder at Japanese grocery stores like Mitsuwa, Marukai, and Nijiya. My favorite tea shop Ippodo Tea Co. (一保堂), also sells matcha in different grades.
Matcha is also available at specialty tea stores, Asian grocery stores, or gourmet stores. If buying online, please be careful and check the labels first. Make sure there are no added ingredients or other additives.
More About Matcha & Matcha Recipes
If you are looking to learn more about matcha, click here to discover the history, preparation, health benefits, and so on.
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