Matcha and Chia Seed Pudding

Matcha Chia Pudding

On my quest to try new ways to incorporate Matcha into my diet I have found another recipe that is super easy to make and very healthy. 

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a special type of powdered green tea that is grown and mainly grown and produced in Japan . The green tea leaves are shaded from the sun for the last few weeks of their growth, increasing the chlorophyll content and thereby creating that intense green color. After harvest, the leaves are carefully ground with stone grinding wheels to produce a fine powder.

The powder can then be used to brew an antioxidant rich frothy green tea or in recipes like smoothies or baking. Unlike other types of teas, the green tea powder is not strained out before consuming, so you are consuming the entire leaf, making Matcha more potent than other tea varieties. In fact, only 1/2 tsp is needed to brew a traditional cup of Matcha.

Tea expert Sebastian Beckwith said: "The taste is strong and vegetal - some people would say spinachy, others would say grassy and with an umami character. This will also of course depend on the quality and source that you use. The tea used to make matcha tea is important; there are many cheaper imitations that use low-grade tea." All matcha falls into one of two categories, ceremony-grade and food-grade. While ceremony-grade is considered higher quality and should be used for drinking, the food-grade powder is intended for baking and cooking. However you can use whichever you happen to have on hand. 

Matcha Pudding

Matcha Pudding is super easy to make. Just combine all the ingredients below the night before and place it in the fridge. Matcha tea powder is very fine and loves to clump, so you might want to sift it using a tea strainer for an even smoother tasting pudding. Add your favorite fruit topping and enjoy this healthy snack or breakfast pudding.

Ingredients

1 TBSP Chia Seeds 

1 cup Milk

1 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder (For this recipe I used Uvernal Matcha Green Tea)

1 tsp Agave or any other additional Sweetener if desired

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

fresh berries for topping

About Uvernal Matcha Tea

Uvernal matcha green tea is 100% organic. Only the highest quality green tea leaves are used, which are immediately packaged after being ground into macha. The product is then immediately shipped, offering very fresh original Japanese macha. This brand claims that by the time their macha tea reaches your doorstep it hasn’t been packaged for more than 14 days! Freshness is extremely important when it comes to macha.

COLOR
This uVernal macha powder has an amazingly bright, natural green color.
PLEASANT AFTERTASTE
While most teas leave a bitter aftertaste, uVernal macha leaves you with a pleasant taste memory on your tongue
TASTE
The taste of our products is quite sweet and absolutely delicious, thanks to its complex amino acids
SMELL
This macha has the alluring scent of freshly ground baby tea leaves

Why should you DRINK MATCHA?Health Benefits
Matcha was originally used by meditating monks to keep them calm and awake at the same time. We now know that this effect is due to an amino acid called L-Theanine, which affects the nervous system, keeping you relaxed. Matcha tea also contains the cancer-fighting catechin ECG. This is why a daily dose of matcha can prevent chronic stress and illness!

Weight Loss Benefits
Matcha green tea boosts your metabolism naturally, without raising your blood pressure or causing you stress. This way you can lose weight without all the dangerous side-effects of many weight loss products. Matcha tea has almost no calories at all and has been proven to help burn fat. 

Anti-Aging Benefits
Studies have shown that matcha green tea contains up to twenty times more antioxidants than blueberries. These antioxidants help our bodies fight free radicals, delay aging and support our health! Free radicals make you age faster and this is why it is important to consume antioxidant rich foods like macha to stay young. 

Energy Boost
Matcha green tea does contain some caffeine (like all green teas) but that isn’t what’s giving you all that energy when you drink it. Studies have shown that it is the combination of matcha’s natural compounds that allows you to perform up to 25% better in exercise and daily work. Matcha green tea keeps you rejuvenated and strong throughout the day!

#Uvernalmatchagreentea, #dessert, #breakfast, #veganrecipe,  #chiaseeds  

I received the Uvernal Matcha Tea for review purposes and all opinions expressed are my own.