I like ‘Matcha‘ Green Tea. Actually since I was a child I really liked the taste. Although we had a set of Matcha making tools at home my mother did not make Matcha tea that often. Only when we had very good Japanese sweet ‘Wagashi‘ my mother brought out the set and made Matcha tea for us. Maybe that is why I thought having Matcha tea is something special. It was more like for ceremonial occasions and I still get excited about the whole process.

I think Matcha’s popularity these days is phenomenal. Western people knowing its Japanese name ‘Matcha’ was unthinkable to me until 5 years ago and it is unbelievable that there are several shops and cafés serving Matcha drink or food even here in London. Now we have been informed that there are great health benefits in Matcha and it is not just foodies but healthy food eaters are joining the Matcha drinking club.

Iced Matcha Tea

Matcha is originally drunk hot. However, we are in mid-summer now. A mini heatwave has been hitting England and it is very hot. Why don’t we drink Matcha as a cold drink? It is very refreshing and revitalises your body.

[Ingredients]

(for 1 glass)

• 1.5 Tsp of Matcha Green Tea Powder
• about 100 ml of Cold water
• Ice cubes

• a Glass to serve (chilled)
• ‘Chasen‘ (Bamboo Whisk for making Matcha)

[Direction]

(Preparation) It is not necessary but it is advisable to place a glass to serve in a refrigerator or freezer for a while before starting making tea

In a bowl place 1.5 Tsp of Matcha Green Tea Powder. Add about 2 Tbsp of water and mix well with ‘Chasen’ (Bamboo Whisk) until the lumps disappear

*You can use hot water instead for this step but I heard that by doing so the intensity of Matcha flavour may get lost

Add about 60 ml of Cold water (add more if you prefer weaker tea). Mix well by whisking with Chasen until the mixture becomes smooth and frothy on top

Place some Ice cubes into the chilled glass and pour the frothy matcha tea mixture into it

As we Japanese never put any sweetener to Green tea this Iced Matcha Tea is the same. However, if you find this too bitter and prefer to have this sweet you can add any sweetener of your choice.

Matcha Green Tea powder is sold in a Japanese Food shop or even in a super market in many countries these days, however, if you live in an area where it is difficult to find one or you want buy quality Matcha, you can buy one on-line. The one I have been using is from this company in Japan. There are several grades in their Matcha range. You can chose the one you want.  🙂