Classic Matcha Green Tea Shortbread Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does matcha do in baking? ›

Matcha powder is a versatile ingredient that can add a unique flavor and vibrant green color to your baked goods. It is made from finely ground green tea leaves and has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its health benefits and versatility in cooking.

To enhance the flavour and colour of matcha in your baked goods, consider pairing it with complementary ingredients such as white chocolate, citrus zest, or coconut. These additions can balance the earthy notes of matcha and create a harmonious flavour profile.

It's important to avoid over-mixing shortbread dough, which will develop gluten and make the finished product tough, not tender. To make sure that the flour mixes completely with little effort, sift the flour first to get out all of the lumps.

But both can work well for baking—whether you only have matcha on hand or simply prefer to use loose tea leaves, either can be incorporated into freshly baked bread. Just be aware of the potency in both aroma and flavor of the amount of tea you choose to bake with.

Possible side effects of matcha Matcha doesn't appear to cause significant side effects when consumed in moderation, but high doses providing large amounts of caffeine may cause headaches, diarrhea, insomnia, and irritability.

Technically, any grade of tea could be used for matcha desserts and baked goods, but culinary-grade matcha will be your most economical option and a better-structured tea that won't lose its flavor when mixed with other ingredients.

Shortbread has so few ingredients that you can't get away with cutting corners; good quality butter and sugar are essential, and plenty of them. Rice flour gives it that special sandy texture that sets it apart from the common biscuit, and a pinch of salt helps to balance that rich, delicious sweetness.

The most common mistakes when making shortbread are over-working the dough, and incorporating too much flour. The less you work the dough, the more crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth your shortbread cookies will be.

Chill Before Baking

The goal is to ensure the butter in the dough is cold when it goes into the oven. This will prevent the shortbread from spreading.

Although matcha tea and green tea are both derived from the same plant, they are cultivated and processed differently. Up to 80% of the world's green tea comes from China, while most matcha is cultivated in Japan. In general, green tea is grown in the sun and matcha is shade-grown during the final weeks before harvest.

Is Starbucks green tea the same as matcha? ›

Here's the answer: Starbucks Matcha is technically not even Matcha, but rather just plain sugar! That's because it's a powdered mix of at least 51% pure added sugar, with some ground green tea added into it. To be considered true Matcha, there should be no added sugar, let alone more than half.

A good quality matcha should taste smooth, along with a well balanced bitter notes which develop into some umami. Most people are accustomed to use boiling water to make tea. But this is precisely what you should avoid for matcha. Using hot water that is above 176F (80C) may cause matcha to become bitter.

Don't overbake: Matcha's vibrant green can turn an unappealing brown if overbaked, so always keep a close eye on your oven. Less is more: Matcha has a robust flavor. Start with a small amount and gradually add more to suit your taste.

The focus is on desserts such as cakes, ice cream and cookies in which the powder is used due to the coloring effect is particularly popular. The bright green of the matcha powder gives the creations an almost neon-green glow, without the need for artificial colorants.

Unique taste: Matcha drink is characterized by its rich and distinctive flavour, and by using it in cooking and desserts, it can add a special character and distinct flavor to dishes and desserts..

Culinary grade matcha has a more robust flavor that can be paired with other ingredients. Culinary matcha can be incorporated into all types of recipes, including matcha lattes, baked goods, smoothies, and ice cream. The most obvious use for matcha is in beverages.