After a long week at work, what are you looking forward to? Sleeping in? Getting outdoors? A delicious brunch? Look no further because we are showing you an easy and delicious matcha pancake recipe that is going to make all your brunch dreams come true! And, its vegan! Not only are these pancakes delicious, they are ready to eat in just 15 minutes! Let’s jump right in.
About Matcha
Matcha is loaded with antioxidants. Matcha is also chock full of polyphenols, which may also prevent cancer and heart disease and help to regulate blood sugar. Since you’re consuming actual leaves, matcha powder also contains a bit of fiber, which can aid digestion. It is made from a green tea called tencha. Tencha is a shade-grown tea like Gyokuro, covered over during the last three weeks before the early May harvest. The best tencha comes from the Uji tea fields in Kyoto prefecture of Japan, where it originated, as well as from Mie prefecture to the southeast.
Beyond the flavor, what makes this tea different is how it is processed. Tencha is not rolled and dried according to the sencha rolling method, nor is it fired in a hot oven. Merely chopped up and air-dried, tencha offers one of the purest expressions of mature tea leaves. Tencha has no roasted flavors, only pure vegetal notes. While you can certainly drink a cup of tencha, it is rarely drunk in its pure form. Tencha leaves are almost always ground into a powder: matcha. The word “matcha” comes from the Japanese “ma” which means “rubbed” or “ground,”and “cha” which means “tea.” Matcha is simply the powdered form of tencha.
Choosing your Matcha
Quality matcha should be a bright green. Dull olive or brown hues indicate low chlorophyll content or oxidation. Then smell the powder. You should detect rich vegetal and pine aromas, with hints of nuts, and cream. If a matcha’s aroma is muted, its taste likely will be as well. The consistency should be fine, like cornstarch. Clumps are totally normal! They can be a result of electrostatic charges that build up as the canister is agitated during shipping. If there are clumps, you can easily put them through a strainer or give them an extra whisk while making and they should go away!
Now let’s get to the main event. Let’s make the pancakes!
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 1 cup dairy free milk
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Add flour, baking soda, sugar and matcha powder to a bowl and mix well.
- Next, add in the milk, coconut oil and vanilla. Mix well again.
- Heat up your pan to medium heat and grease. If using a nonstick pan, there is no need to grease.
- Cook each pancake for a few minutes each side (typically 3-4 min) and flip and do the same on the other side.
- Stack those pancakes and enjoy!
Matcha Benefits
Matcha has been buzzing around making headlines for years now because of its superfood qualities. It is an antioxidant powerhouse! According to the latest innovation in antioxidant research, matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants than any other ‘superfood’. Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Nowadays, a variety of fruits and vegetables are lauded for their antioxidant properties, leading to a host of products with all kinds of claims. But matcha is unparalleled in comparison. Matcha tea contains a unique, potent class of antioxidant known as catechins, which aren’t found in other foods. In particular, the catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) provides potent cancer-fighting properties. Most importantly, EGCg and other catechins counteract the effects of free radicals from the likes of pollution, UV rays, radiation, and chemicals, which can lead to cell and DNA damage. Since over 60% of the catechins in matcha are actually EGCg, a daily matcha regimen can help restore and preserve the body’s integral well-being and balance. Matcha has also been shown in studies to detoxify the body effectively and naturally, calm the mind and relaxes the body, is rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins, enhance mood and aids in concentration, provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium and lowers cholesterol and blood sugar!
We hope you enjoy these amazing matcha pancakes. If you try them, be sure to tag us! Looking for more matcha deliciousness? Check out our matcha dessert recipes here! For daily tea inspo and content, follow us @theteakitchen in Instagram!
