Green Tea.
Green tea ice cream is a popular dessert originating in Japan. The Japanese refer to this delicacy as matcha, which reflects the type of green tea used to make this dish. Green tea ice cream has a distinctive bright green color and tastes similar to a cup of sweetened green tea. It is very common in Asia and has also become popular among people in other regions, including the United States (USA). Fans of green tea ice cream believe that it combines the nutritional benefits of green tea with the delicious taste and texture of ice cream.
Homemade green tea ice cream starts with vanilla ice cream.
In Asia, consumers can find green tea ice cream in most restaurants and ice cream parlors. Most frozen food manufacturers in Japan also produce versions of green tea ice cream for sale in supermarkets and convenience stores. In the United States and other non-Asian countries, people can find this dessert in many Japanese restaurants. Some specialty stores may also offer lines of this product, although many are forced to make their own version at home if they want to enjoy this delicacy.
Making green tea ice cream requires very little effort for those who just want a basic version. Specialty health grocery stores sell powdered matcha or green tea. By softening a container of regular vanilla ice cream and adding this powder, shoppers can recreate the flavor of green tea ice cream at home. Some add chocolate syrup or chips for a little more sweetness and variety. For a more authentic recipe, mix sugar, eggs, milk, cream and vanilla with matcha powder in a homemade ice cream maker.
Eating green tea ice cream can provide diners with some of the health benefits traditionally associated with green tea consumption. This tea, in both liquid and powder form, is known for its powerful antioxidant properties, which can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. It also offers anti-inflammatory properties and can lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Others associate green tea with weight loss and fat burning, as well as reducing stress and increasing brain function.
Green tea ice cream is part of a growing trend for green tea-flavored products, both in Asia and in the United States and elsewhere. Major coffee companies in the United States serve green tea-flavored beverages, while manufacturers use this flavor for candy, gum, and other products. Vendors in Hawaii and other areas sell green tea-flavored snow cones or crushed ice, and shoppers can even find green tea cookies and yogurt in some regions. Even cosmetics and body products have jumped on the green tea trend, adding green tea to lotions and makeup to take advantage of its potential health benefits.