As a tea variety that contains potent antioxidants, green tea can help you maintain a healthy weight and a clearer complexion, and it can also protect you from various diseases. Several studies suggest that green tea may reduce your chances of developing heart disease, hypertension, and certain kinds of cancer. Incorporating green tea recipes into your daily diet is one good way of achieving a healthier lifestyle. Here are a couple of delicious green tea recipes for a healthier you:
Green Tea Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons loose Bancha or Sencha Tea
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup white rice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation
In a saucepan, boil the rice, water, and tea. Reduce to low heat, cover it, and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Then remove from heat. Over low heat, stir salt, vinegar, and sugar until they’re dissolved in a saucepan. Fold the dissolved mixture into the cooked rice. This recipe is good for two servings.
Green Tea Soda
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of mint leaves
- sprigs of mint leaves as garnish
- ice cubes
- 2 cups of mixed berries (frozen)
- 2 cups of mixed berry-flavored sparkling water (chilled)
- 1 bottle or 20 ounces of bottled green tea (chilled)
Preparation
Mix all ingredients in a 1 1/2 or 2-quart pitcher and stir well. Serve this refreshing recipe in tall glasses with ice. Top it with sprigs of mint leaves.
Green Tea Sorbet
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup corn syrup (dark)
- 8 teaspoons of green tea
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
Preparation
In a teapot, place tea and pour boiling water. Cover the teapot and brew the tea for 5 minutes. In a saucepan, boil sugar with 2 cups of water for 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat and mix in the green tea, lemon juice, and corn syrup. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover it, and refrigerate it until chilled, which may take 1 hour. Then process the mixture in an ice cream-maker, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This recipe makes 1 quart of green tea sorbet.
You can also use green tea as an ingredient when baking delicious cookies, breads, and cakes. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll definitely enjoy making your own green tea sorbet. Aside from the fact that these recipes are refreshing alternatives to regular dishes, they can also supplement green tea weight loss programs.