I'm back! Back from a Thanksgiving week trip to Sweden and Iceland. I can't wait to share those adventures with you guys in an upcoming post. But for right now I have one very special holiday tip for you! Matcha.
Matcha is my favorite holiday season escape. I curl up to a minty mug of this beautiful spring green Encha matcha and sink into tranquility for a few minutes.
So today I am sharing a Candy Cane Nog Holiday Matcha Latte recipe, some tips for serving matcha to guests and my favorite holiday gifts from Encha! Oh and a pretty awesome giveaway too..
Why Choose Encha? Quite simply, it is the best! Ok, ok, more details..
When I first became a matcha fan a few years ago I spent months trying MANY different brands. I scoured tea stores, ordered piles of matcha online and taste tested everything. I quickly realized that all matcha is NOT created equal. Many of the "discount" matchas you find online have awful color and taste and are a complete waste of money - they are very inexpensive for a reason! Matcha is such a delicate product. I mean you are grinding fragile green tea leaves into a fine powder. Imagine buying delicate organic raspberries from the market or fresh basil. Whoever is selling those sensitive products needs to take much care into how they are harvested, transported, packaged and more. Matcha is just like that. And Encha cares so much about sourcing, quality, packaging and value.
Encha is truly the best value for such a high quality matcha that I have personally found. And I adore the company and the brand mission and values.
I hope everyone can get a chance to try matcha as it was intended to be served. Encha helps make that happen.
5 Tips for Serving Matcha to Guests
1. Have Options. I always like to have options for my guests. So instead of forcing everyone into matcha, they can choose it. I usually like to have herbal tea, hot chocolate and Nespresso pods on hand as well. Holidays are all about feeling warm and cozy and if someone wants chamomile tea at brunch or an espresso at 2am, I am more than happy to help out. But also, since I am obsessed with getting people to try matcha, I usually offer to make them a latte and if they don't want to finish it they don't have to. And usually, they fall in love with it and feel really excited for trying something new!
2. Start slowly. First matcha latte ever? Don't drown it in green. Start modestly. I usually do one teaspoon per large mug for myself. But for people who are new to matcha, a half teaspoon might be enough! You can tell the strength of the matcha flavor by the green color. The darker green, the more intense the flavor and matcha concentration will be.
3. Add flavors to accent. I love adding peppermint or vanilla accent flavors. Flavors are great for new matcha drinkers because they offer a familiarity to the beverage. So along with the grassy, green tea-flavored matcha, you get something familiar.
4. Sweeten naturally and to taste. I love coconut sugar for sweetening matcha lattes. You can also try maple syrup or raw sugar or honey if you are not vegan. I like my matcha lattes on the sweeter side, but allow your guests to sweeten to their own tastes or ask them their preferences. For newbies, I really try to make it "sweet enough" when serving so the matcha flavor doesn't feel overwhelming. Some people say green tea can be an acquired taste. I remember loving matcha from the first sip, but upon rememberance, my first latte was on the sweet side.
5. Milk? I usually use Califia Farms unsweetened or original almond milk for my lattes. But organic soy milk is my favorite for creating really intense and fluffy foam and an extra creamy texture. You can also try oat or even coconut blend milks. Sometimes I do a mixture of water and milk when I want a lighter consistency to my latte.
I hope those tips helped. Now here are some really beautiful gifts that are available from Encha. Give the gift of Zen!..
Encha Holiday Gifts:
1. Encha Matcha Starter Kit with Ceremonial and Latte Grades and Whisk Trio
2. Encha Ensemble (All-Grade Bundle)
3. Encha Complete Ceremonial Matcha Box Set with Zen Bowl and Bamboo Tray (6 pcs)
4. Encha Flow and Encha Flow matcha latte set (2 bundle options)
5. Mini Encha Single Serve Packets (great for travel or trying matcha!)
6. Encha Cherry Blossom or Plum Matcha Cups
Hope you can have some yummy matcha Zen this busy and sometimes stressful holiday season!
And finally, my holiday matcha recipe! Love this so much. The minty candy cane and creamy matcha latte are so festive and happiness-inducing. The hint of cardamom gives it a nog-style flavor too. (And don't forget to enter the giveaway at bottom!)
Enter the giveaway..
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Some recipes + matcha links to try:
* matcha buying guide
* Mint Matcha Latte and tips
* Vegan Green Tea Frappucino
* Free Matcha Guide with recipes (PDF)
disclosure: This post is sponsored by Encha matcha as part of my brand ambassadorship, but all opinions are my own.
Candy Cane Nog Holiday Matcha
Ingredients
- 2 cups non-dairy milk
- 2 teaspoon Encha latte grad matcha
- ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 candy cane, crushed into bits
- optional: swirl or coconut, soy or rice whip on top
- sweeten to taste - coconut sugar (1 tablespoon used)
Instructions
- Warm the milk to just under boiling.
- Add the matcha, peppermint, cardamom, sweetener and a few pinches of the candy cane to the warmed milk. Using a frothing device, blend everything together.
- Pour the frothed matcha into serving cups and top with a swirl of non-dairy whip and a generous sprinkle of crushed candy canes. Serve warm!
Cynthia says
I've had matcha whipped into almond milk but it kept crashing out.
Victoria says
I've only tried it at Urth, and I love it!
Annette says
I've never tried matcha, but your recipe looks delicious and is making me want to try it.
Theresa says
I have tried matcha! I've made matcha green tea cupcakes and muffins. Also love matcha green tea lattes. A little definitely goes a long way!
Jessica Piekenbrock says
yes I have...my favorite way is your matcha latte recipe with almond milk and maply syrup warmed and blended in the blender 🙂
saniel says
I have not tried before but would love to sample some one day. Thanks
Terri Jones Cole says
I've had the matcha latte from Starbucks. I'd like to make my own though.
Linda says
I haven't tried matcha as such - just as a flavouring added to baked goods.
Annamarie Behring says
I love it whipped up with non-dairy soy milk as a latte!
Maggie B says
I've never had matcha before, but you've made it sound so delicious! I love green tea, so I think I'd be a fan. I'm trying to stay away from coffee, so I think this would be a great alternative. I would probably make it with almond milk and agave 🙂
lorissa says
in a latte or smoothie!
Stacey Bradford says
This looks yummy!
Claudia A says
ive tried matcha before but I think I didn't do it right. Need to try again and see how I like it.
Mira says
I am addicted to matcha!! Lattes, iced lattes, smoothies, or just plain... always delicious
Annabelle says
In the summertime I love to make matcha-banana milk which is sooo refreshing and yummy and in the wintertime I usually just make a traditional one, with lots of foam - yum! 😀
Jacq says
Love love love matcha, need more of it in my life. My old can expired 🙁
Amy Katz says
I love iced matcha lattes! But really I love matcha in anything. 🙂
Kris says
I tried matcha after reading your matcha review post. And I tried Encha because of your recommendation as well. I love matcha lattes with peppermint!
Steph says
I love matcha bubble tea and matcha cookies and matcha lattes and more I'm sure
Olivia Stankovich says
I have had a few matcha lattes at the coffee chains but would love to try a high quality offering!
mary says
I have only had the "subpar" matchas, so I am eager to try a good one!
Rae says
I love matcha lattes!
Emily A. says
i tried it, but only at cafes
Heather S says
I haven't yet, I'm dying to try it! xoxo
Natalia M. says
I've only had matcha in a latte form at a cafe, I have yet to get adventurous with it at home.
ATasteOfMadness says
I just love making matcha tea 🙂
Melanie says
In the winter months, I enjoy hot Matcha tea. During the rest of the year, I ALWAYS include it in my morning smoothies. This recipe is definitely going on my to-try list though! It looks fabulous!!
liz says
I love matcha lattes and this peppermint version looks devine! I'm also a huge fan of matcha KitKats and donuts 😉
Serena Powell says
I've never had the chance to try it, but I really want to!
Molly Penaflor says
Yes! I love a well made matcha latte with almond milk. But I also went through a phase last winter where I added matcha powder to my oats, so good!
Kristy says
Yes!!! I lOVE matcha. I love it as a latte and I love it mixed with water paired with a confectionary/daifuku/dango/mochi like they serve in Japan at tea ceremonies.
Laura Olson says
OMG you have ruined me. I am addicted to Encha. I don't think there's any hope of recovery. I mostly drink it blended with cashews and honey or maple syrup, but I like it plain with hot water too.
Anna Lee says
I work nights (and outside part of the time), so I love a good hot matcha latte on my break! Especially in these chilly months!
Kelsey says
I have never tried matcha but have been dying too and heard so many good things about it!
Rachel R. says
I have only ever had matcha lattes, but I would love to try it in baking!
ammauceri says
I used to put it in my smoothies but haven't in a while - thanks for the chance to win!
Dana says
I love matcha green tea lattes and also a scoop in my smoothies!
Rebecca Wright says
I have not yet but I've been dying to! I love green tea hot a little sweetened so I cannot wait to try this also!
Mason Linkous says
I am obsessed with matcha! My obsession solidified when I spent time in Japan over the summer where matcha flows freely everywhere and I attended a tea ceremony. My favorite preparations are the traditional, hot, whisked tea or a cold, lightly sweetened iced tea!
Amy Ledesma says
I have not tried matcha tea before but Im going to! I am a big tea drinker and I plan to pick up a box soon..I have had matcha in other flavors before I think. Also I saw some people mix it with chocolate.Sounds interesting to me.
Jillian O'Donohoe says
I have tried matcha before! I actually already use Encha due to your recommendation, Kathy! I just like to drink it the traditional way or as a latte, but I have experimented with matcha pear bread and green tea mint larabars which were pretty great!
Stefanie says
I haven't tried matcha before, but this post definitely makes me want to try it. I like the idea of adding it with flavors you like to make a great drink. Thanks for all the product advice and recipes!
Jan Verberkmoes says
I love it hot, with foamed 50/50 almond/coconut milk. So good!
Robin P says
I love matcha in a smoothie with a frozen banana
and melon (your recipe)!
Cindi says
I have never tried matcha tea. Have been very interested for sometime but just didn't know where to start. You've taken all the guess work out of it now!
Joanna Aceves says
Yum! This recipe sounds and looks so scrumptious! It's perfect for this cold SoCal weather we're having 🙂
Ana says
Wow that looks so good!! Cant wait to try it at home!!!
Awesome giveaway, thank u so much Encha for doing that for us! And thank u Katy for sharing this incredible recipe!!!
Ana
Melissa says
I've never tried it before, but would love to, it sounds great!
Karen Keshishian says
I have never tried it. I wish I could sample it before I buy a whole jar
michele says
I've never had this, but would love to try!
Eve-Marie says
I have only used matcha in smoothies so far, from your book 🙂 Would your holiday latte still be good without a frothing device? I'd love to try it but I only have a whisk!
Valerie Gillmore says
Such magnificent pictures! <3
I love to drink matcha tea every day with a bit of soy milk and a few drops of stevia. My matcha does not have a vibrant color like the one in your pictures.
Those lovely cups are incredibly elegant and simple. I love that!
Happy Holiday season to every body! Joyeuses fêtes!
disqus_n6P3gaQ2GK says
I've never had this - would love to try it! <3
Frederique says
I too use it in baked goods from frosting, to scones to lattes of course! I would love to try encha!
Ashley Chew says
I love adding it to baked goods like cookies or frosting!
Lisa Hochstetler says
I've never tried it but would like to
Carol Johnson says
No , I haven't tried but would like to.
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
I love matcha and I especially love the look of it in those gorgeous cups <3 This sounds totally delicious!
Anne-Josée Guimond says
I would really love to try Encha's matcha because I have'nt found the perfect matcha yet!
DJohnson says
Matcha Lattes are the best. I also enjoy it in baked goods too.
Heather McClees says
Thank you for turning me onto matcha! And what a gorgeous recipe! I would love to try tgis brand after hearing you rave so much about it. That color is just stunning! 🙂
Stacey Bradford says
I'm always looking for a good matcha! I would love to try their products!
Rebecca @ Strength & Sunshine says
Those little cups <3 They are too pretty!
Karlie @ Karlcooks.com says
I love matcha lattes!
Giulia Lombardo says
nice idea, never tried it but I am going to do soon!!!
Elin Roberts says
I have never had it but would love to win so I can try it. Thanks for the opportunity.
Sj Dc says
I haven't yet tried it but your pics have made it look very appealing!
julie vanhoutte (vampirefan) says
I would recommend this recipe, it’s so delightful and really easy to make. If my friend hadn’t told me about this recipe, I would never have been so excited about it.
JW says
I have tried it, I like to make it into a hot latte with soy or almond milk.
Gillian Moynihan says
I have tried matcha - and after trying Encha based in part on your recommendation, I made my order a regular subscription! I really like it iced, mixed with vanilla soy milk and water.
Paula Leach says
I like matcha lattes, especially with coconut milk. I had never tried them until I heard about them on your site here.
MichelleH says
I like it slightly sweetened, but this candy cane version looks fantastic for Christmas! The colors are so festive and I never say 'no' to candy canes.
Kayleigh says
I like matcha blended with almond milk and stevia over ice
Bianca says
i have never tried it!
Anne says
I like just plain matcha tea with hot soymilk