I remember passing by a local bubble tea store in Sydney and standing there admiring how wonderful their teas were. On a busy Monday, a lot of university students gazed through the menu trying to pick the best one. However, my friend picked the matcha milk tea and I was amazed to see how delightful it looked! I was awestruck by its appearance and had to find out more about this wonderful beverage.
Matcha milk tea is rejuvenating and refreshing as it is packed with nutrients and health benefits. This tea makes for a perfect nutritious drink, thanks to its ingredients consisting of simple matcha powder, milk, tapioca pearls (if you like the look and feel of those mushy beads), and voila! You have your tea ready in a few minutes.
What is Matcha?
The concept of matcha tea roots back to Japan where the most popular growing regions are in the southern half of the country: Nishio, Uji, Shizuoka, and Kyushu. The diverse grades of matcha are well-known by the quality of their appearance, processing method, and ingredients used.
You can use matcha powder to make matcha milk tea. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Matcha tea is immensely popular amongst people of all age groups because it is a one-of-a-kind tea that blends well with every type of beverage. Now, let’s get into the nit-bits of this amazing creation. Matcha tea is a fine powder made from green tea leaves specially grown and processed. The matcha leaves are shaded from direct rays of the sun about twenty days before the harvest. This method boosts its chlorophyll and increases the production of the amino acid L-Theanine, which is known to promote concentration and relaxation. [1]
Talking about nutrition, matcha is rich in catechin polyphenols – compounds that have high antioxidant activity. Also, matcha is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and caffeine. These nutrients help reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. But again, matcha is not a magic bullet or antidote. [2]
DIY Gorgeous Matcha Milk Tea Recipe
Here is our matcha milk tea version to make at home with no fancy equipment required. Feel free to adjust the ratio as per your preference.
Rejuvenating Matcha Milk Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 tsp matcha tea ceremonial grade or culinary grade
- 2 tsp sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, granulated sugar, or condensed milk
- 1 cup milk such as cow's, almond, or oat
- handful of ice
Instructions
- In a mason jar, add matcha tea and mix in the sweetener.
- Add milk and gently stir the contents with a spoon.
- Close the lid tightly and shake everything vigorously for a minute. The concoction should be frothy.
- Pour the tea into a glass and top with ice.
Notes
Give your summer a ‘matcha’stic turnaround with this beautiful drink. Remember to include this in your pool parties, get-togethers, and picnics.
