Green Tea (Matcha) Ice Cream Recipe

By
Setsuko Yoshizuka
Setsuko Yoshizuka
Setsuko Yoshizuka is a freelance food writer and Japanese cookbook author.
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Updated on 02/7/23
Green Tea (Matcha) Ice Cream Recipe

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
193 Calories
14g Fat
13g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 193
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 8g 41%
Cholesterol 129mg 43%
Sodium 47mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 67mg 5%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 95mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Green tea ice cream is a popular Japanese ice cream flavor and perfect as a sweet and refreshing dessert after a traditional Japanese meal. 

The name "green tea ice cream" is slightly deceptive, because the ice cream itself is not made from tea, but rather from matcha powder. Sometimes, the names "green tea ice cream" and "matcha ice cream" are used interchangeably in the West, but in Japan, "green tea ice cream" is almost always referred to as "matcha ice cream."

Matcha powder is a fine bright green powder of special green tea leaves which have been ground. Essentially, matcha is green tea leaves. Matcha powder differs from green tea because in foods that use matcha contain the actual tea leaves themselves, but green tea-infused foods are simply water infused with the flavor of the tea leaves.

Rest assured, despite the technical differences between green tea and matcha powder, this recipe for green tea (matcha) ice cream will result in a delicious frozen Japanese dessert.

Article Updated by Judy Ung.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder

  • 3 tablespoons hot water

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 5 tablespoons granulated white sugar

  • 3/4 cup whole milk

  • 3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Green Tea (Matcha) Ice Cream Recipe ingredients

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a small bowl, whisk hot water and matcha tea powder together and set aside.

    whisk hot water and matcha tea powder together in a bowl

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Place the egg yolks in a medium-size saucepan, lightly whisk the egg yolks. Note: Do not heat the pan yet.

    egg yolks in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Add sugar in the pan, and mix the sugar with egg yolks until well incorporated.

    egg yolks and sugar in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Gradually add milk to the egg and sugar mixture and mix well.

    milk and egg yolk mixture in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  6. Place the pan on low heat and heat the egg mixture, stirring constantly to make sure it doesn't burn.

    egg mixture cooking in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  7. When the mixture thickens slightly, remove the pan from the heat and soak the bottom of the pan in ice water to help cool the egg mixture.

    egg mixture cooling in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  8. Add the matcha powder and water mixture into the egg mixture and mix well. Continue to cool the mixture in ice water.

    match with the egg mixture in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  9. Whip the heavy cream so that it is slightly thick and airy.

    whipped cream in a bowl

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  10. Add this whipped heavy cream into the egg and matcha mixture. Gently incorporate all the ingredients using a spatula, until mixed.

    whipped cream combined with the matcha mixture

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  11. Pour the ice cream mixture into an ice-cream maker and follow your ice-cream maker instructions for churning.

    ice cream mixture in an ice cream maker

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  12. Then pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container with lid, and freeze for 8 hours or longer before serving.

    Green Tea (Matcha) Ice Cream in a container

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.

Tip

  • An ice-cream maker does help, but if you are not using an ice-cream maker, the mixture for the ice cream may be stored in an airtight container and placed in a freezer until it solidifies. The mixture must be mixed periodically while it is freezing.

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