Matcha: All Day Energy Booster and Low-Carb Printable Recipes

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    Since my daughter, Brittany, has been obsessed with all things Japanese for quite a few years now, I'd heard of matcha powder.  We actually bought some about a year ago and used it to make matcha ice cream.  While she wasn't able to use matcha powder in her cooking contest at the county fair a couple of years ago, she enjoyed using it at home.

Brittany dressed up for the county fair "Tablesetting" contest!

Brittany's Japanese-themed table she decorated.

    I'm not the one to run after the latest health craze (or any craze at all...there's a reason why it's spelled C - R - A - Z - ...well, you get the picture, right?).

    But we have used matcha powder in our home.

So, what IS matcha?  Is this just one of those disturbing health trends that will be here today, gone tomorrow?

    Matcha, also spelled maccha, is the name for finely milled or finely powdered green tea.

    Most commonly used in Japan, the Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. In modern times, matcha has also come to be used to flavor and dye foods such as mochi, soba noodles, green tea ice cream, and a variety of wagashi (Japanese candies).

Green Tea Ice Cream

Wagashi (Japanese candies)

Green Soba Noodles

Mochi

    The current practice of drinking powdered green tea in the Japanese tea ceremony actually originates from the Song Dynasty in China, which dates back to over 1,000 years ago. This practice was carried on in Japan and is now considered a pillar of Japanese culture. Today, high quality Matcha is being made in China as well as Japan.

What can Matcha do for your energy level and health?

*All day energy with increased focus:
    Matcha provides 4 to 6 hours of mild steady energy as it acts as both a stimulant and a relaxant. This is ideal for focusing on whatever comes your way throughout the day.

*Metabolism boost:
    Consuming matcha green tea can increase your body's rate of burning calories from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expenditure.

*Improved skin health:
     ​Scientists have discovered that Matcha Green Tea helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays.  Matcha also improves blood flow and oxygen levels, lifting the overall health of the skin.

*137 times more antioxidants of brewed green tea:
    Antioxidants are essential as you age to boost your body's natural defenses against oxidation. Researchers have found that a high level of dietary antioxidants can prevent many age-related diseases.

How to use Matcha in your kitchen and recipes:

    Matcha can be used for so many recipes besides making some hot matcha tea!  Matcha green tea powder can be used in:

• lattes
• cupcakes
• cheesecake
• truffles
• scones
• sorbet
• smoothies and milkshakes
• curry

• pizza
• sauces
  
• waffles
• muffins
• french toast
• mojitos and cocktails
• sparkling non-alcoholic beverages
• poultry dishes...

    and so much more!

    The most recent brand of Matcha Green Tea Powder our family has used is by Kiss Me Organics. 

    I like the fact that it has been organically grown and prepared for culinary use! 

    It's simple to use:  just open up the package and measure out a small amount, from 1/4 tsp. to a couple of teaspoons in recipes.  While it may seem expensive for one pouch, it lasts quite a while since such a small amount is used per recipe.

    We used Kiss Me Organics Organic Matcha to make Sparkling Matcha (a non-alcoholic beverage) to accompany our Pan-Fried Matcha Chicken for dinner.  See my recipes below!

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Pan-Friend Matcha Chicken (Low-carb, gluten-free)

This Pan-Fried Matcha Chicken was so delicious! All four of us just loved it and were very sorry we didn't make more!

Pan-Fried Matcha Chicken (low-carb; gluten-free)
adapted from Kiss Me Organics' "Organic Matcha Recipes" to fit the Trim Healthy lifestyle plan of eating (E)

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 egg, blended
• ½ Tbsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, butter, or olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. kosher salt or Redmond's RealSalt
• 2 tsp. Matcha
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• ½ Tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. lemon zest or 1 tsp. lemon pepper

1. Cut chicken breast down the middle, or butterfly it so it has a more uniform size.
2. In a shallow bowl, combine almond flour, cayenne pepper, matcha, cumin, salt, pepper, and lemon zest         (or 1 tsp. lemon pepper).
3.  Place gently whisked egg in second shallow bowl.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into blended egg.
5. Dredge egg-coated chicken through the almond flour/seasoning mixture until it is completely covered.
6. Add oil of your choice to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
7. When oil is shimmering, place the chicken in skillet and cook 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until a meat
    thermometer reads 175° - 180° F, depending on how thoroughly cooked you prefer your chicken.
8. Transfer to a rack or plate with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Makes 4 servings.

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Sparkling Matcha (non-alcoholic, no-sugar, low-carb beverage)

Matcha green tea powder has a unique taste. While I enjoyed the lime/matcha combination, not everyone at the dinner table favored it.

Sparkling Matcha ((low-carb; gluten-free)

adapted from Kiss Me Organics' "Organic Matcha Recipes" to fit the Trim Healthy lifestyle plan of eating (Fuel Pull)

1 tsp. Matcha
2 tsp. warm water
sprinkle of salt, to taste
4 ice cubes
¾ cup sparkling water
1 lime wedge or 1 tsp. lime juice
stevia extract or liquid stevia drops, to taste


1. In a tall glass, stir warm water, matcha, and a sprinkle of salt until blended.
2. Add ice cubes to glass and slowly add sparkling water.
3. Stir until blended and squeeze lime wedge on top (or add lime juice).
4. Blend in stevia extract or liquid stevia drops, to taste.
5. Taste and add additional lime juice, salt, and/or stevia, until it's just right for you.

Serves 1.

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Free PRINTABLE Recipe book for using Matcha:

Kiss Me Organics is providing a FREE download of their recipe book right now!  This enables you to have access to some really amazing recipes for drinks, smoothies, breakfast, meals, and desserts!

Yummy!

Just click on the recipe book image on the left, or the "FREE download" link, above.

    I thought you should know about Kiss Me Organics' current "BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF" sale promotion on Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder right now, for a limited time.  In order to receive a second bag of Matcha Green Tea Powder for free, you will need to place 2 bags of Kiss Me Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder into your shopping cart on Amazon.com for this promotion to work. Be sure to enter code 4PAMQUFS at checkout.

    In summary, there are so many health benefits to adding matcha to your diet!  With this free recipe book from Kiss Me Organics, you'll find many new uses for delicious green tea matcha.  Some people may need to acquire a taste for matcha, while others will enjoy it the first time they try it.  It is a unique flavor that I enjoyed back in 1993 when I traveled in Japan with a group of fellow teachers, and I'm enjoying trying new recipes so I can begin to incorporate matcha into our regular meal plans.  Yum!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

    In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

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