8 Delicious Ways To Eat Your Tea

Tea is one of my favorite drinks. Green, black, white, hot, cold, sweet, unsweet, peach, lemon, berries, kombucha…there are so many ways to drink this ancient treat. However, tea as a beverage is not the only way to enjoy your tea.

Thanks to Ujido for partnering with me to bring you this post with lots of new ways to enjoy tea!  This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read the full disclosure policy.

Why I Love Tea

I drink (or eat) tea almost every day and one of my favorite teas is matcha. Matcha is green tea that has been ground into a powder and is considered a superfood. It’s earthy, mellow flavor is delicious hot or cold, baked or brewed. Given it’s a powder, it’s also easy to measure into recipes.

1.Cancer Fighter –

It’s loaded with antioxidants. I mean LOADED. Check out green tea antioxidant levels compared to other superfoods:

(Source: Ujido)

2.  Vitamins and Minerals –

Matcha tea is great because unlike drinking brewed tea which is strained, matcha tea is finely ground and the whole leaf is ingested. Therefore, you’re getting higher levels of the naturally occurring selenium, chromium, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A & C.

3. Metabolism boost and fat burning properties –

Matcha promotes increased fat oxidation. Yes, please! I love that I can burn fat and not feel jittery.

4. Mood and Focus –

Green tea is a natural source of L-theanine, which is a precursor to the production of neurotransmitters in my brain, specifically dopamine and serotonin. They help improve my memory and help me focus. I’m less likely to notice the “squirrels” if I’ve had my daily matcha.

5. Immune System Boost –

The catechins in matcha have natural antibiotic properties.

6. Energy Energy Energy –

Yes, matcha contains caffeine. It’s a different form than the caffeine found in coffee. Matcha’s caffeine (theophylline) will sustain energy levels for up to six hours without the well known side effects of caffeine use. It provides a slow release of energy so there’s no crash in the afternoon.

How to Eat and Drink Your Tea

Tea is not just for drinking! There are tons of recipes to enjoy your tea in many different ways!

How To Drink Matcha:

Traditional Cup of Matcha Tea – Scoop 1-2 tsp of matcha into a shallow bowl and add enough warm water at 175 degrees.  (If it’s too hot, it will cause it to turn bitter) to make a loose paste with the powder. Using a bamboo whisk, swirl until evenly mixed.  Then, pour the remaining water (to equal 2-3 ounces) into the bowl and whisk rapidly to produce foam on top and enjoy!

Chilled Sweet Matcha – Ujido Matcha makes matcha powder packets, sweetened with monkfruit for a chilled, on-the-go matcha beverage.

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Pour the powder into a glass, fill with a small amount of water and froth with a battery powered frother like an Aerolatte and then fill the rest of the glass with ice and water.  I like to add blueberries and strawberries, too.

How To Eat Matcha:

The possibilities are endless!  Matcha works well in sweet and savory recipes alike.  Check out the recipes below or get creative with your own recipe using matcha.

1. Matcha Smoothie Bowl – a simple yogurt-based smoothie mixed with matcha and topped with fresh, all natural toppings including maca root powder and chia seeds.
   
2. Matcha Latte Popsicles
3. Banana Matcha Energy Bites
4. Matcha Power Hummus
5. Orange Matcha Waffles
6. Chocolate Matcha Cups
7. Matcha Mug Cake
8. Matcha Fudge

Beware: Why Brand Matters!

It’s important to research the source of your green tea. Some companies offer an inferior product, loaded with pesticides, and produced with lenient regulations. The taste, color, and quality suffer. I’ve found that matcha from Japan is the best of the best. Japan’s pesticide regulations are very strict, producing a superior product overall.

Ujido, named for the region in Japan where the tea is grown, is a higher-end matcha company. All of their leaves are hand plucked and steamed in accordance with ancient traditions, which lends to their superb quality. I know when I open my bag of Ujido matcha, I’m going to see the most refreshing jade-green powder and inhale a smooth, rich, earthy scent – every time.

The extra deep green color is because of how Ujido grows their tea. It’s in shaded gardens to maintain high chlorophyll levels in the leaves. Ujido matcha flavor is rich, earthy, and very slightly sweet.

Tools for Preparing the Best Matcha

 

 

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