Japanese Green Tea Creme Brulee Recipe- Matcha Crème Brûlée Kyotofu

How to Choose the “best matcha tea”?

Matcha is the powdered tea used in Japan's formal tea ceremony (chanoyu). In its unpowdered form it is called "tencha." Top-grade matcha is a bright shade of green. As a rule, the lighter the green matcha varieties, the sweeter the taste, and the darker matcha the varieties, the more astringent they are.

When the new shoots on the green tea bush have two or three leaves, they are shaded from sunlight with straw, reed, or cloth screens for two or three weeks. In the processing of tencha, the leaves are dried after being steamed but are not rolled, unlike most other green teas. During the drying method all the leaf veins and fine stems are removed before the “green tea leaves” are ground into a fine powder in a mill. 

As with powdered sencha, matcha completely dissolves in the water when well mixed and thus the leaf is consumed in its entirety. Because matcha is ground into a fine powder, you end up ingesting the entire leaf. This process allows you to obtain all of the polyphenols and health benefits of matcha, providing more nutrients.

Matcha is a popular ingredient in savory dishes as well as desserts. While there are several types of green tea in the market today, matcha powder is the one specially designed for cooking purposes. 

“green tea creme brulee recipe”

Matcha can be used both in savory cooking and in sweet desserts. It is a very versatile ingredient that can even be incorporated without cooking it.

This creamy and delicious dessert is all about balance: Matcha’s astringency finds its perfect complement in the sweet, creamy custard of a crème brûlée. When fashioning a hot water bath for these little puddings, be sure that you pour the water to match the level of the custard inside the cups; this will ensure that they cook evenly. 

The best and easiest way to create the crispy, burnt sugar crust on top of crème brûlée is with a reliable small butane torch (which can be purchased at most kitchenware stores or at Amazon.com). If you can’t get your hands on one, place the puddings directly underneath a hot broiler or oven toaster until the surface turns golden-brown.


Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups / 475 ml heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup / 135 g granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
5 teaspoons high quality matcha powder
1 cup / 235 ml soy milk
6 large egg yolks


COOKING DIRECTIONS:

1) Preheat the oven to 325° F / 163°C. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, whisk together 1 cup / 235 ml of the heavy whiping cream, 1/3 cup / 66 g of the sugar, and the matcha powder; stir until the matcha and sugar are well blended. Add the remaining heavy whipping cream and the soy milk and bring the mixture to a simmer. Remove from the heat.

2) In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining sugar.

3) Whisking constantly, gradually pour the hot milk mixture into the yolk mixture. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.

4) Place 6 small (7 to 10 ounce / 198 g to 283 g) ramekins in a high-sided baking pan and divide the custard between them. Fill the baking dish with boiling water to reach most of the way up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the custard is set (it should still jiggle, but not move in liquid waves, when shaken).

5) Remove the ramekins from the water bath and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.

6) Before serving, remove the ramekins from the refrigerator and sprinkle each surface with a layer of sugar. Using a butane kitchen torch, melt the sugar until golden-brown all over.

FOR A GINGER VARIATION: Peel and thinly slice a 2-inch / 5 cm segment of fresh ginger and add it to the cream mixture in step 1 in place of the matcha. Once the liquid has been brought to a simmer and removed from the heat, cover and let steep for 25 minutes. Bring the liquid back to a simmer and proceed with the recipe as directed.

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What is the best way to store green tea?

Tea easily absorbs water and is easily affected by heat and temperature, so it should be stored in a cool, dry place. The fridge is ideal, but be sure that the tea container has a tight lid to prevent the tea absorbing smells from other food items.

If the tea is stored in a fridge or freezer for a long time, the smell of the tea may permeate the refrigerator. Thus, it is better to buy tea in small quantities, purchasing only the amount that you will drink in the near future. Before storing, the tea should be well wrapped in plastic.


Is there any difference between Japanese green tea and green tea from Sri Lanka, China and other countries?

All teas come from one species of tea plant. However, there are many subspecies of the plant. The flavors and colors of Japanese green tea, Chinese oolong tea, or black tea are the result of different processing methods that control the degree of fermentation.

After the tea leaves are plucked, the tannin gradually starts to oxidize, which causes the leaves to ferment. To halt that process, green tea in Japan is steamed or roasted to produce unfermented tea. Semifermented tea, such as oolong tea, is roasted before complete fermentation has occurred. Black tea has undergone complete fermentation.


Are pesticides used in cultivating green tea in Japan?  Is there a problem with harmful residual chemicals?

Japan's laws regarding harmful pesticides are probably the strictest in the world. Both the Food Sanitation Law of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and the safety standards in the Agricultural Chemicals Control Law of the same ministry prohibit the use of harmful pesticides. Farmers cultivate safe and tasty tea by avoiding all unnecessary spraying of chemicals. In addition, organic cultivation is spreading and the use of pesticides is decreasing.


Is there a good way of removing green tea stains from porcelain or ceramic cups?

Tea containers become stained over time, but a kitchen cleanser or bleach can remove the stains, However, the patina of tea stains that develops on some porcelain utensils over years of use is regarded as desirable. In China, in particular, this patina is cherished because it shows that the vessels have been used with care for a long time.

“Green Tea Advantages”: What are the Matcha Health Benefits?

Matcha green tea is probably the highest quality powdered green tea available. After years of continuing scientific research, it has been concluded that green tea has a large amount of healthy attributes and several benefits for the human body. Because of this, we can conclude that incorporating matcha powder into a healthy lifestyle can add longevity and aid in the fight against diseases.

Here’s why:

Green tea contains four potent flavonoid polyphenol compounds (antioxidants) known as catechins. Catechins are compounds that are unoxidized. Green tea contains about 30 percent catechins, whereas black tea contains only 4 percent of theaflavins. Both are powerful antioxidants, however, green tea is associated with more health benefits since it has more catechins.

These catechins in green tea are:

1) Epicatechin (EC)
2) Epicatechin gallate (ECG)
3) Epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC) and 
4) Epigallocatechin (EGC).

Many research studies have determined that matcha has 60 percent Epigallocatechin gallate. EGCG is tea’s most abundant antioxidant catechin; it is one hundred times more potent than vitamin C, twenty-five times more potent than vitamin E, and may have therapeutic applications in the treatment of many disorders since it aids in the destruction of free radicals.

Although EGCG is the focus of many scientific studies and has been associated with most of the newly discovered green tea benefits, there is also proof that ECG is potent, as well.

Matcha has about six times the amount of antioxidants of goji berries, sixty times that of spinach, and seventeen times the amount of blueberries.

There are many food items such as dark chocolate, green leafy vegetables, and some raw organic fruits that contain antioxidants; however, matcha has the highest level of antioxidant content compared to all of these foods.

Top 10 health benefits of regularly consuming matcha green tea powder are:

1) It is packed with antioxidants

2) Improves metabolism and burns calories

Related Post: “How Many Cups of Green Tea a Day” for Weight Loss and Cancer Prevention?

3) Creates a sense of calm

4) May lower cholesterol and blood sugar

5) Effective natural detoxifier

6) Fights against bacteria and viruses

7) Removes tobacco stains. Green tea can help to remove tobacco stains from teeth of smokers since both green tea catechins and black tea theaflavins tend to bond with tars.

8) Aids in digestion. When first introduced to ancient Japan, green tea was drunk both to keep awake and as an aid to digestion since the tannin stimulates the stomach and increases intestinal activity. 

9) Is tea really effective against constipation?

Yes. Tea helps to relax the intestines, making it effective for constipation caused by changes of environment, such as when traveling, rather than chronic constipation due to lack of vegetables, fibers, and so on. For people who suffer from con¬stipation or who experience stress-related stomach problems, such as before taking examinations, a cup of green tea will have a calming physical and mental effect.

10) Other health benefits

In addition to providing excellent amounts of high antioxidant compounds such as catechins and polyphenols, matcha is also rich in vitamins. Matcha contains minerals such as manganese, potassium, calcium, and phosphorous, which are biological regulators. In addition, it is also rich in insoluble fiber and has practically no calories.

Chemical Composition of Japanese Green Tea

Compound	Description
Flavan-3-ols	Catechin isomers, Theaflavin, Theaflavin gallate, Thearubigin
Flavones	Apigenin, Luteolin
Flavonols	Kaempferol, Myricetin, Quercetin, Rutine
Xanthins and related compounds	Caffeine, theobromine, theophylline
Proteins and Amino Acids	Theanine, glutamic acid, tryptophan, glycine, serine, aspartic acid, tyrosine, valine, leucine, threonine, arginine, lysine, peptides
Carbohydrates, Pectin and Fiber	Cellulose, pectin, sucrose, glucose, fructose
Phenolic Acids	Caffeic acid, Gallic acid, Chlorogenic acid
Vitamins	A, B1, B2, B6, E, Niacin, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Minerals	Ca, Mg, Zn, Na, K, P, F, Mn, Cr, Se, Mo, Ni, Al, Cu, Fe
Pigments	Chlorophylls, Carotenoids
Lipids	Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid
Sterols	Stigmasterol
Volatile Flavor and Aroma Compounds	Aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters and lactones, acids, hydrocarbon

“green tea side effects”: Is it true that medication should not be taken with tea?

Yes, it is best avoided. The caffeine in tea can either weaken or strengthen the effects of medication. For example, painkillers, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills are less effective when taken with tea, and the effect of headache pills and cold remedies may be increased to an undesirable extent. Moreover, tannin combines easily with iron, so the effectiveness of hematinics needed by people suffering from anemia, as well as of medication for digestive ailments, will decrease if taken together with tea.

“green tea crème brûlée calories”

Nutrition Facts

How Many Calories are in Kyotofu Matcha Green Tea Creme Brulee?
Serving Size: 1 ramekin

Calories	1,740	Sodium	3,235 mg
Total Fat	63 g	Potassium	1,389 mg
Saturated	10 g	Total Carbs	220 g
Polyunsaturated	15 g	Dietary Fiber	26 g
Monounsaturated	4 g	Sugars	14 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	71 g
Cholesterol	63 mg
Vitamin A	10%	Calcium	8%
Vitamin C	30%	Iron	70%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.



REFERENCES:

Bermensolo, Nicole. 2015. Kyotofu: Uniquely Delicious Japanese Desserts. Running Press. ISBN-13: 978-0762453979

Doblas, Miryam Quinn. 2015. The Healthy Matcha Cookbook: Green Tea Inspired Meals, Snacks, Drinks, and Desserts. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1634502214

Powell, Nicolas (Author, Editor). 2015. Green Tea and Health: Antioxidant Properties, Consumption and Role in Disease Prevention (Food and Beverage Consumption and Health Series), UK edition. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1634829045

Tokunaga, Mutsuko. 2004. New Tastes in Green Tea: A Novel Flavor for Familiar Drinks, Dishes, and Desserts. Kodansha USA. ISBN-10: 4770029861

How to Make a Raindrop Cake- Mizu Shingen Mochi Recipe

A Raindrop Cake is a clear gel dome so delicate that it turns to water in your mouth—and becomes a puddle on your plate if you don’t eat it within 30 minutes (because of total gel reversibility). The most remarkable property of `physical gels' is their reversibility. They melt just by heating but gel again upon cooling. These transformations can be repeated indefinitely in the absence of aggressive substances that could hydrolyse the agarose molecules or destroy them by oxidation.

In Japan, it is called mizu shingen mochi, which means “water cake”, and is made with mineral water from mountain springs. Raindrop cakes are usually served on bamboo plates with a drizzle of black sugar syrup and a dusting of roasted soybean powder, but go ahead and use your favorite flavorings.

“Japanese Raindrop Cake Recipe”

Raindrop Cake Ingredients:

2/3 cup (150 mL) mineral water
Pinch sugar
1/8 teaspoon (0.5 mL) Agar Agar Powder


Suggested Raindrop Cake Toppings: chocolate sauce, honey, molasses, powdered ginger, brown sugar, crushed nuts, silver sprinkles

Optional: Strawberries, Maraschino cherry with stem, or other colorful fruit


Preparation Procedure:

To create the round shape, you need a mold. Try a round-bottomed drinking or wine glass, a small rounded bowl, or a giant ice-ball mold. This recipe is enough for two palm-sized spheres.

1) In a small, microwavable cup, combine the water and sugar and heat the mixture in the microwave oven on high for 30 seconds.

2) Stir in the agar powder. Put the mixture back in the microwave for another 30 seconds, then take it out and stir again. Repeat four or five times until the liquid is clear. Watch to make sure that it doesn’t boil over in the microwave. (Learn how to… How to Use Agar Agar in 5 Simple Steps)

3) Pour the liquid into your mold. Gently pop any bubbles with a spoon. Chill it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. It should be solid to the touch, but still wobbly.

4) To serve, gently tip the raindrop cake onto a plate so the rounded side is facing up. Serve with one of the toppings in the Suggested Raindrop Cake Toppings list, or create your own!

5) Variation: To add a piece of fruit inside the raindrop cake, fill the mold halfway and put it in the refrigerator to set for about five minutes. Then place the fruit on top, and cover it with the rest of the liquid agar mixture. Let it chill until solid.


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What is Meant by Agar Agar Powder?

Agar is defined as a strong gelling hydrocolloid from marine algae. Agar is called Kanten in Japanese, which means `frozen sky' referring to the way it was first manufactured by artisans based on freezing and thawing of the extracted agar gel in the open fields.

In addition, we can add that agar is also a mixture of polysaccharides made of dextro and levo galactoses united linearly.

Agar-agar, also called simply agar, was the first phycocolloid used as a food additive in our civilization having been employed in the Far East over 300 years ago.

Phycocolloids are those gelling products extracted from marine algae that are utilized in several ways solely because of their colloidal properties. The most important ones are agar, alginates and carrageenans that are produced in industrial quantities and presented in the form of clear colored powders.

Agar main structure is chemically characterized by repetitive units of D-galactose and 3- 6, anhydro-L-galactose, with few variations, and a low content of sulfate esters.

The extraordinary gelling power of agar is based exclusively in the hydrogen bonds formed among its linear galactan chains that provide an excellent reversibility, with gelling and melting temperatures that differ normally by about 45 degree Celsius. Being `physical gels' they provide agar with interesting and unique properties in many of its applications especially in the preparation of microbiological culture media (bacteria, yeast and moulds) in which such properties become fundamental.

Agar is derived from the technique recorded by Tarazaemon Minoya in 1658 that has its fundamentals in the insolubility of agar when cooled.

The traditional technique adapted by Minoya, developed towards the middle of the seventeenth century, is still in use marginally to produce `natural agar' in the oriental craft industry in the forms of strip agar (Ito-Kanten) or square agar (Kaku-Kanten). This technique started with careful washings of Gelidium amansii employing similar devices to those used to wash tea-leaves.

Related Post: What are the Types of Agar Products?

In the Orient `natural agars' in the old forms of strips and squares are still being used at home to prepare traditional dishes. Lately such types of agar have reached our dietetic and natural food stores while in Japan they are being substituted by powdered industrial agars prepared as tablets.


Where to Buy Agar Agar at the Cheapest Price with Good Quality?

Major supermarkets have it; it’s in the seaweed or exotic foods section. If you live in rural area, you can get it online easily enough.

There's a pretty good selection of agar agar powder from Amazon.com. Just click here, NOW Agar Powder, 2-Ounce.

Getting online just makes it easier to get what you want since they have a lot more selection of agar agar than in stores most of the time.


Is Agar Agar Powder Healthy?

Agar agar is a good source of calcium and iron, and is very high in fiber. It contains no sugar, no fat and no carbohydrates. It is known for its ability to aid in digestion and weight loss.


Is Agar and Gelatin the Same?

Both Agar and Gelatin are essential ingredients in the preparation of desserts worldwide. The main difference between agar and gelatin is the source from which they are derived. Agar is a vegetarian substitute for Gelatin since it is derived from a plant and has higher gelling properties.


Is Agar Agar Kosher?

Not all Agar Agar are kosher. If you need one, get this high- quality brand… Super Agar Powder Non-GMO Vegan OU Kosher Certified, 50g2oz


Is Agar Agar Halal?

Agar Agar is a combination of sea-derived flakes that gels when combined with liquids, making it perfect for vegetarians and those concerned with eating halal since it's an all-natural substitute for pork-derived gelatin and any other non-halal, non-dhabiha meat source of gelatin (which can also come from beef).


What Can I Use Instead of Agar Agar?

Substitute powdered agar-agar for gelatin using equal amounts. 1 Tbsp. of agar-agar flakes is equal to 1 tsp. of agar-agar powder. Set 2 cups of liquid using 2 tsp. of agar-agar powder, 2 Tbsp. of agar-agar flakes, or one bar.


Agar Agar Powder Calorie Counter: Nutrition Facts

Agar, raw
Amount Per 100 grams

Calories 26
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0 g	0%
Saturated fat 0 g	0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g
Monounsaturated fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg	0%
Sodium 9 mg	0%
Potassium 226 mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 7 g	2%
Dietary fiber 0.5 g	2%
Sugar 0.3 g
Protein 0.5 g	1%
Vitamin A	0%
Calcium	5%
Vitamin D	0%
Vitamin B-12	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Iron	10%
Vitamin B-6	0%
Magnesium	16%

*Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.



References:

Amos Nussinovitch and Madoka Hirashima. 2013. Cooking Innovations: Using Hydrocolloids for Thickening, Gelling, and Emulsification, 1st Edition. CRC Press. ISBN-13: 978-1439875889

Glyn O. Phillips (Editor) and P A Williams (Editor). 2009. Handbook of Hydrocolloids, Second Edition (Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition) 2nd Edition. Woodhead Publishing. ISBN-10: 1845694147

Kathy Ceceri. 2016. Edible Inventions: Cooking Hacks and Yummy Recipes You Can Build, Mix, Bake, and Grow. Maker Media, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1680452099

https://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-food-calorie-counter



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