Are you ready to seriously elevate your dessert game? Whether you're a matcha enthusiast or just looking for a special treat, this easy matcha affogato is the perfect dessert for any occasion. It's a delicious fusion of the traditional Italian affogato with a Japanese twist: the vibrant green goodness of high-quality matcha.
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You Will Love This Recipe
- Satisfying flavors: Vegetal, umami matcha pairs beautifully with sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream to create a brighter take on a traditional affogato.
- Quick and easy: Once you learn to whisk up matcha tea, this recipe is a breeze.
- Treat with (health) benefits: Have your cake and eat it too by enjoying a sweet treat full of beneficial catechins.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Matcha powder: The key to this recipe is high-quality matcha. I love ippodo tea matcha, but you can also find great matcha from other companies. If the matcha is offered in grades, opt for ceremonial grade for daily drinking. Culinary matcha is more cost-effective and is best for baking and lattes. Both will work for this recipe, though the flavor of the culinary matcha will be more bitter.
- Plant-based ice cream or gelato: Whether you opt for homemade ice cream or store-bought, try to choose an ice cream or gelato with plenty of rich fat. This ensures that when the hot matcha melts some of the ice cream, it melts smoothly for a luscious mouth feel.
Instructions
1. Use an electric kettle, microwave, or kettle on a stovetop to heat some water until just under boiling (176°F or 80°C).
2. Sift the matcha into a small bowl.
3. Add two tablespoons of hot water to the matcha powder and whisk it using a matcha whisk, small whisk, or milk frother for about 5-15 seconds until a thick matcha tea without lumps has formed.
4. Add 1-2 scoops of ice cream to your preferred serving cup or dish.
5. Pour the hot matcha over the ice cream.
6. Enjoy!
Variations
Get creative with this recipe by mixing up ice cream flavors or adding mix-ins or toppings. Here are some ideas:
- Swirl some black sesame, or red bean paste into your ice cream to further reinforce the Japan-inspired flavors in this classic Italian dessert.
- Swap out the vanilla ice cream for strawberry, chocolate, or even matcha ice cream for double the matcha flavor!
- Add a crisp topping, like chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or brittle, to contrast with the creamy affogato texture.
Storage
Make-ahead: Pre-scoop and freeze individual scoops of ice cream in a freezer-safe bag or other container. Then, if you need to make several affogato at once, adjust the recipe card to the number of servings you'd prefer and batch brew the matcha.
Store: I would not advise trying to store leftover matcha affogato. Sorry!
Tips
- Use ceremonial grade or high-quality matcha for the brightest color and more balanced flavor, or culinary grade for a better bang for your buck. Avoid green tea powder, as it can be very bitter.
- Use a traditional bamboo whisk (a chasen) and matcha bowl (mino-yaki) for a therapeutic and traditional matcha-making experience; use a milk frother for the fastest.
- Eco tip: Supporting brands with concise, transparent sustainability objectives is great for the planet. This is one reason I love the brand Oatly, which shares its full sustainability report.
FAQ
I love Ippodo tea matcha as it is a Japanese-owned tea company that has been in operation for a long time, and of course, their matcha is so tasty! I have also tried matchabar ceremonial grade matcha and enjoyed it.
A classic affogato is made with luscious gelato. However, as I prefer plant-based options, I love non-dairy choices such as Oatly or Forager Project for a vegan matcha affogato. If you are sticking to regular ice cream, opt for premium or super-premium ice cream for the creamiest dessert experience.
Matcha goes well with citrus and tropical fruit flavors (lemon, orange, banana), creamy floral flavors (vanilla, coconut), chocolate, berry flavors (strawberry, blueberry), and nutty flavors (tahini, black sesame, almonds).
Recipe
Easy 2-Ingredient Matcha Green Tea Affogato
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 2 Tablespoons water
- ½ cup vegan vanilla ice cream (or preferred frozen desert)
Equipment
Instructions
- Use an electric kettle, microwave, or kettle on a stovetop to heat about a cup of water until just under boiling (176°F or 80°C).
- Sift the matcha into a small bowl.
- Add two tablespoons of hot water to the matcha powder and whisk it using a matcha whisk, small whisk, or milk frother for about 5-15 seconds until a thick matcha tea without lumps has formed.
- Add 1-2 scoops of ice cream to your preferred serving cup or dish. Pour the hot matcha over the ice cream.
- Add any preferred toppings and enjoy.
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