The Claw

Written by Kayla Hoffman (Features Writer)

With spring coming up, we are beginning to find ourselves with beautiful weather; however, some days may be too hot or maybe too cold. Whether or not you prefer hot or cold drinks, this recipe serves well in both categories. 

Matcha is a kind of finely ground tea that is grown in a particular way for a particular taste and effect. This drink originates from Eastern Asia and is traditionally whisked with a soaked bamboo brush. As a plethora of my past recipe articles, this matcha tea began gaining traction on social media, sharing its rich creamy flavor and history with so many people. 

Ingredients:

• Matcha powder (2 tsp)
  • You can purchase this at any Asian market in the tea aisle ./ or order it online. I personally use a brand called [] that I bought at Lion Market in Saratoga. 
• Sugar, honey, or agave syrup
  • A tablespoon if you like it really sweet or just to teaspoons. 
• Milk
  • (Whole, soy, almond, or oat. Whatever you prefer best!)
  • Enough to fill most of your cup as this is a latte. 

Supplies:

• Fork, whisk, or electric frother.
  • I personally use an electric frother. However, you may find lots of joy in ordering a traditional bamboo whisk. With the bamboo whisk, it’s soaked in hot water – this loosens the bristles – and basically scrub the matcha. 
• Measurement tools (tsp, tbsp, etc.)
• Small sifter (optional)
• Mug and cup 
  • The cup is used to make the matcha mixture of sugar, matcha, and water.

To start off, get two teaspoons of matcha. You can sift the matcha powder so then it mixes more thoroughly. Because this is a powder tea, the remaining matcha can settle at the bottom, much like hot cocoa. Sifting somewhat cuts off mixing time. Depending on how sweet you like your tea, measure your sugar. I usually do two teaspoons so it’s the same amount as the matcha, however, you can make it sweeter or less sweet to your liking. 

Once you have your matcha and sugar all measured out, pour boiling water into the cup. The water amount varies but on average is up to five tablespoons. This ensures that all the matcha is mixed and smooth. If you’d like a hot matcha latte, you’d benefit from using more hot water and less milk, or heating your milk as well.

In your mug or glass, pour in your ice and choice of milk. I usually just use whole milk but you can use whatever milk you’d like. You also don’t have to use ice; but, I find that it keeps your drink feeling fresh. 

When it comes to morning drinks, especially with the weather getting warmer and warmer, we may find ourselves in limbo of what kind of drink we want. Matcha offers us the best of both worlds when it comes to hot and cold beverages! Be sure to try this next time you’re getting ready for your next zoom class, or, on your way to hybrid learning!