Matcha Panna Cotta (抹茶意式奶凍)

 
 
 
 
Are you a Matcha tea lover?  I drink tea everyday and definitely enjoy a cup of matcha every now and then.  Turned out, I did shared quite a few recipes that were made with matcha.  Check them out at the end of this post if you’re interest.       
 

 
 
Today’s recipe is truly a culinary advanture of “East meets West”.  I used a traditional Asian ingredient and incorporated it into a traditional Italian dessert.  Let me present to you, Matcha Panna Cotta (抹茶意式奶凍)!



Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) refers to finely milled or fine powdered green tea. The Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha.  Nowadays, matcha is also used to flavor foods such as mochi, soba noodles and a variety of Japanese confectionery.  It has a deep, grassy and slightly bitter taste.  It’s extremely earthy and could be an acquired taste if you haven’t tried it before.   If you like this Japanese Green Tea, then you’re going to love this dessert.   



Be sure to check out the list of ingredients and tools used in this post.  Most of the items are available in Asian supermarkets.  If you don’t have Asian markets near where you live, fortunately, these items are widely available online as well!



As you can see from my video tutorial above, as well as the pictures on this post, I’ve prepared this Matcha Panna Cotta in different containers.  You can serve them in small tea cups, small dessert glasses, or ramekins (then turn them upside down onto serving plates as shown in picture above).


 
This is definitely a decadent recipe.  The texture is smooth and silky.  It’s not overly sweet but packed with deep and earthy wonderful matcha aroma.  Did you notice that I topped the panna cotta with a small piece of edible gold leaf!?
 

 
 
 
Ingredients and tools used:
Matcha Powder (Click here for more information)
Edible Gold Leaf (Click here for more information)
Bamboo Whisk (Click here for more information)
Chawan Tea Bowl (Click here for similar product)
Small Bamboo Spoon (Click here to see similar product)
Shoji Paper Window Blinds backdrop (Click here to see product information)
Ceramic Rice Bowls (click here to see similar product)
Bamboo Placemats (Click here for more information)
 
 
Other Matcha Recipes:                                                        
                                           











Matcha Ice Cream (抹茶雪糕)

                                                         
 

Matcha Shortbread Cookies (抹茶酥餅)

Iced Matcha (冰鎮抹茶)



Coconut Shaved Ice with Matcha (Green Tea) Mini Mochi

 

 
Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) Tiramisu

 

 
Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) Mousse Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust

 

 
Homemade Matcha (Green Tea) Pocky 自家製抹茶百力滋







Matcha Panna Cotta (抹茶意式奶凍)
2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
1 1/4 cup milk, divided
2 cups heavy cream
6 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons Matcha powder, plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Edible gold leaf, for garnish

In a small bowl mix together the gelatin and 1/4 cup of milk and set aside for 5 minutes to soften.
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1 cup of milk, sugar and salt. Set over medium heat, stir until sugar just dissolved.  When mixture comes to a simmer, remove from the heat and whisk in the softened gelatin, matcha powder, and vanilla extract.

Set a strainer over a large measuring cup with a beaker, pass the matcha mixture into the mixing cup.  Then, stir in the heavy cream.

Arrange 10 small cups or 10 (4-ounce) ramekins on a tray and evenly divide the mixture between the cups. Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
To serve, dust the top of the panna cotta with matcha powder and garnish with a small piece of edible gold leaf in the center.

If using baking cups or ramekins, you can unmold the dessert by sitting it in warm water for 10 to 15 seconds, wipe the bottom of the ramekin with a towel.  Then, cover the ramekin with a serving plate, carefully flip them upside down.  Give it a gentle shake and remove the ramekin on top.  Dust with matcha powder and place a small piece of gold leaf on top and enjoy!