Matcha has emerged as the superfood for people on the go who are committed to a healthy lifestyle and also enjoy a hint of flavour in their coffees, breakfast oats etc. Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown green tea leaves and has a unique bitterness that mellows quite nicely once you get past its sharp taste.
However, not everyone prefers matcha for daily consumption. In fact, anyone who has a difficult relationship with caffeine or wants to steer away from caffeine on a day-to-day basis should probably avoid matcha altogether. The idea of a healthy green powder that is packed with antioxidants and can boost immunity and metabolism is a great one, and there are actually several other alternatives to matcha which can easily help you out. Let’s look at some of them.
Sencha Powder
Sencha is another type of Japanese green tea, which offers a similar grassy flavour profile to matcha but with a milder taste. To use sencha powder as a matcha substitute, simply grind dried sencha leaves into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. While the colour may not be as vibrant as matcha, sencha powder still imparts a pleasant green hue to dishes and beverages.
You can use it in lattes; just whisk sencha powder with hot milk and a sweetener of your choice for a comforting and aromatic latte. Or infuse sencha powder into your favourite ice cream base for a refreshing and subtly flavoured treat.
Wheatgrass Powder
Wheatgrass powder is an underrated ingredient that deserves your attention. It is derived from the young shoots of the wheat plant and is renowned for its vibrant green colour and earthy flavour. Although it lacks the bitterness of matcha, wheatgrass powder can be used as a nutritious alternative in various recipes.
You can use the powder to make a wheatgrass smoothie bowl. Blend frozen bananas, spinach, wheatgrass powder, and your favourite fruits to create a vibrant and nutritious smoothie bowl topped with granola and fresh berries. Or make wheatgrass energy bites by mixing wheatgrass powder with dates, nuts, and shredded coconut to form energy-boosting bites that are great for on-the-go snacking.
Spirulina Powder
Spirulina is a nutrient-rich blue-green algae, that boasts a striking blue-green color and a slightly earthy taste. While it differs from matcha in flavour, spirulina powder can be used to add a vibrant green hue and nutritional benefits to various dishes.
Blend it with coconut milk, spirulina powder, and a hint of vanilla for a creamy and visually stunning latte. Or combine frozen bananas, spirulina powder, and a splash of almond milk in a blender to create a refreshing and dairy-free ice cream with a vibrant green colour.
Moringa Powder
Moringa is often referred to as the "miracle tree," and is valued for its exceptional nutritional properties and mild, earthy flavour. While moringa powder differs in taste from matcha, it offers a wealth of health benefits and can be used as a versatile substitute.
You can use it like you use matcha powder and brew some green tea with it, or get get creative and make moringa chia pudding with almond milk, and maple syrup.
Spinach Powder
An underrated and often overlooked ingredient, spinach powder can work wonders for your diet. Spinach powder is made by grinding dried spinach leaves and it’s a versatile ingredient that can add a vibrant green colour and mild spinach flavour to various dishes. While it lacks the caffeine content of matcha, spinach powder is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
It’s easily usable in recipes like pancakes, poha or hummus. You can even use it to make salad dressing; blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and spinach powder in a food processor until smooth for a vibrant and nutrient-packed dip.
Kale Powder
Kale powder, derived from dried kale leaves, boasts a vibrant green colour and earthy flavour similar to fresh kale. While it may not offer the same caffeine boost as matcha, kale powder is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Blend kale powder with frozen bananas, mango, and coconut water before topping with fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds for a nourishing and visually appealing smoothie bowl. Or mix kale powder into homemade pesto sauce made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese before tossing with cooked pasta.