Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Oatmilk Matcha Latte + Matcha Tahini Smoothie

It is not possible for me to overstate how much I’ve grown to love my morning oatmilk matcha latte. This last year as a new mom, it has given me energy and clarity when I need it most. I gave up coffee when I got pregnant because it made me feel anxious, and often gave me a stomachache. Matcha is also high in caffeine, but it wakes me up without jitters, and I don’t crash a couple hours after drinking it. In this post I’m going to share with you my recipe for the oatmilk matcha latte I have every morning, plus an incredibly delicious matcha tahini smoothie, and an oatmilk iced matcha latte that I drink everyday during summer.

I first fell in love with matcha (finely ground green tea powder) when I visited Japan in 2015. It was there that I was introduced to the traditional tea ceremony, and the “correct” way of making matcha tea for sipping. Traditionally, matcha is enjoyed without milk or sugar. Ceremonial grade tea is used, and drinking the matcha tea becomes an often spiritual experience. Actually, matcha came to Japan from China by way of Buddhist monks.

When I traveled to Japan I discovered that matcha isn’t just for drinking. In Japan you’ll find matcha Kit Kat bars, Pocky sticks, and even Oreos! It has long been used for baking and in mochi as well. I have a great recipe for grilled matcha mochi that you should try! Also, give these matcha coconut butter cups a try. OMG, so much you can do with matcha! But my favorite thing to make is a simple oatmilk matcha latte.

Why oatmilk?

I love using oatmilk because its naturally sweet flavor pairs well with the grassy taste of matcha. I have tried making it with soy milk and almond milk. Both are fine, but meh. Oatmilk froths so well, which is why baristas and coffee enthusiasts love it. Soy milk froths well too, but lacks the nice subtle sweetness and light flavor of oatmilk. I prefer an oatmilk that has little to no stabilizers and gums, like Califia Farms or Oatly. The video below is sponsored by Califia Farms, by the way.

Matcha tools?

There are a few things you will need to have to make matcha. It’s kind of a process…but totally worth it! Watch the video below to see how I use these tools. You’ll need a matcha whisk to blend the matcha powder into hot water, and get it really smooth. If you don’t have a matcha whisk you could use a flat coil whisk. You could also try blending the powder into the water, or directly into your plant milk using a milk frother. It’s not necessary, but I highly recommend sifting your matcha with a mesh strainer first. This guarantees there are no lumps of powder in your final tea. You will also need a small bowl. It isn’t necessary to buy one specifically made for this purpose. A 6-8oz bowl should be just fine.

Which matcha should you buy?

Shopping for matcha can be confusing and pricey. You might wonder which one to buy, how much to spend, and where to find it. Watch my video below to learn the difference between ceremonial and culinary grade matcha. In a nutshell, ceremonial grade matcha is more expensive, higher quality, made with younger leaves, and more robust tasting. Culinary matcha is less expensive, not as bright green, tends to have a more bitter taste, and made from more mature young leaves. There are different qualities of ceremonial and culinary matcha too. Some are better than others, and price is usually a marker of quality. Below the video I’ve posted some links to brands of matcha in different price ranges that I like. In general for matcha lattes and smoothies culinary grade is fine. I do prefer using ceremonial grade for my matcha latte because I really do notice the difference, though it’s not that extreme. And lastly, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between antioxidant potential in ceremonial vs. culinary matcha.

• Matcha whisk & sifter: https://amzn.to/32zMfOk

• Full matcha tea set: https://amzn.to/2uDHLK4

• Milk frother: https://amzn.to/2I7herCq

• Expensive ceremonial grade matcha (AIYA MATCHA) https://amzn.to/2I29mI7

• Mid-tier ceremonial grade matcha (MATCHABAR): https://amzn.to/2weY5S9

• Mid-tier ceremonial grade matcha (ENCHA MATCHA): https://amzn.to/3ckvGKH

• Expensive culinary grade matcha (This one is good for matcha lattes and still has good flavor: https://amzn.to/395b5It

• Inexpensive culinary grade matcha (This one is better for baking and smoothies): https://amzn.to/3aerx9l

OATMILK MATCHA LATTE
 
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TWIST: add ¼ tsp of rose water to the matcha latte and top with dried rose petals if you have them.
Author:
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup hot water (170-175° F is best)
  • ¾ cup oatmilk
  • 1 tsp matcha powder
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or agave (optional)
Instructions
  1. Bring water to a boil for the tea, warm it until just before it boils. You want to avoid boiling water for your tea.
  2. Warm the oatmilk in the microwave or stovetop.
  3. Use a milk frother to froth until creamy.
  4. Sift the matcha powder through amesh strainer into a bowl.
  5. Pour the hot water over the matcha, and use the matcha whisk to dissolve it. Small bubbles will form on the surface.
  6. Pour the matcha and oatmilk into a mug together. Sweeten, and enjoy.

ICED OATMILK MATCHA LATTE
 
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Author:
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup hot water (170-175° F is best)
  • 1 tsp matcha powder
  • ¾ cup oatmilk
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or agave (optional)
Instructions
  1. Bring water to a boil for the tea, warm it until just before it boils. You want to avoid boiling water for your tea.
  2. Sift the matcha powder through a mesh strainerinto a bowl.
  3. Pour the hot water over the matcha, and use the matcha whisk to dissolve it. Small bubbles will form on the surface.
  4. Fill a glass with ice, then pour 1 cup of oatmilk and sweetener over the ice.
  5. Pour over the matcha, and stir. Enjoy!

TAHINI MATCHA LATTE
 
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Author:
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 cup oatmilk
  • 1 ripe banana (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tsp matcha powder
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 2-4 pitted dates

Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to the blender.
  2. If you are using a fresh banana you may want to add about ½ to 1 cup of ice.
  3. Blend until creamy.
  4. Top with cacao nibs and sesame seeds.

 

 

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