Imagine the mesmerizing purple of Filipino ube meeting the vibrant green of Japanese matcha. This superfood combination isn’t just visually stunning—it creates a symphony of flavors where the vanilla sweetness of ube perfectly complements the vegetal and umami notes of matcha. Learn how to master this winning duo with our detailed, family-friendly ube and matcha recipes!
The Perfect Match: Why Pair Ube and Matcha?
This combination goes beyond just being Instagram-worthy. Ube and matcha together offer:
Flavor Balance
- Ube brings its natural sweetness and nutty notes
- Matcha balances with its noble bitterness and grassy notes.
- Together, they create a sophisticated flavor complexity.
Enhanced Nutritional Benefits
- Ube: Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and anthocyanin antioxidants
- Matcha: Packed with L-theanine, catechins, and chlorophyll
- Synergy: A lasting energy boost without a blood sugar spike
Irresistible Visual Impact
The purple-green contrast creates desserts worthy of top pastry chefs, turning each creation into an edible work of art.
Recipe #1: Soft Marbled Ube-Matcha Cookies
Ingredients
For the base:
- 280g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 170g unsalted butter at room temperature
- 150g brown sugar
- 100g white sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the ube dough:
- 30g ube powder
- 100g white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon of milk
For the matcha dough:
- 20g culinary matcha powder
- 100g dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon of milk
Detailed Instructions
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Preparing the base: In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In the mixer bowl, cream the butter with both sugars for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Adding the eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract. Reduce the speed and gradually add the flour mixture until the batter is smooth.
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Dividing and Coloring: Split the dough into two equal parts. In the first half, mix in the ube powder with 1 tablespoon of milk to help blend. Add the white chocolate chips. In the second half, mix in the matcha with 1 tablespoon of milk, then add the dark chocolate chips.
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Creating the marbling effect: Take one tablespoon from each dough. Press them together without fully mixing, and gently roll between your palms to form a marbled ball of about 50g. Repeat to make around 24 cookies.
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Essential resting: Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them 2 inches apart. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 48 hours). This step is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
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Perfect baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake for 11-13 minutes. The cookies should be golden at the edges but still soft in the center. They’ll continue to bake on the tray.
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Finishing: Let rest for 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a rack. For a final touch, lightly sprinkle with fleur de sel sea salt.
Pro Tips:
- Perfect texture: Don’t overbake to keep the center soft
- Perfect marbling: Don’t overmix the two batters for a distinct visual effect
- Storage: 5 days in an airtight container, or 3 months in the freezer
- Gourmet tip: Warm up for 10 seconds in the microwave before enjoying
Recipe #2: Ube-Matcha Tiramisu Without Mascarpone
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 24 ladyfingers
- 200ml strong espresso, cooled
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
For the ube cream:
- 250ml coconut cream (thick part only)
- 30g ube powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon agar-agar
For the matcha cream:
- 250ml coconut cream (thick part)
- 20g matcha powder
- 3 tablespoons of agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon agar-agar
For finishing:
- Matcha powder for sprinkling
- White chocolate shavings (optional)
Step-by-Step Preparation
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Preparing the creams: The day before, place the cans of coconut milk in the refrigerator. Use only the thick, solidified part."
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Ube cream: In a saucepan, mix 50ml water with agar-agar. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, add ube powder and coconut sugar. Let cool slightly. Whip the coconut cream until fluffy, then fold in the cooled ube mixture.
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Matcha cream: Repeat the process with matcha and agave syrup. Both creams should have a similar consistency.
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Assembling in individual glasses: In small glasses, quickly dip 3 cookies in the sweetened espresso. Place them at the bottom. Add a layer of ube cream, then 3 more soaked cookies, and finish with the matcha cream.
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Artistic finish: Use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Create patterns with a toothpick by swirling. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
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Serving: Just before serving, gently dust with matcha using a fine sieve. Add a few white chocolate shavings for contrast.
Creative Variations:
- Add a layer of exotic fruit jelly between the creams
- Swap espresso for hojicha tea to keep it 100% tea
- Add tapioca pearls for a bubble tea texture
Recipe #3: Energizing Ube-Matcha Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
Ube base:
- 1 frozen banana
- 100ml coconut milk
- 20g ube powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1/2 cup of ice cubes
Matcha base:
- 1 frozen banana
- 100ml oat milk
- 10g of matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (soaked 10 min)
- 1/2 cup of ice cubes
Suggested toppings:
- Homemade granola
- Toasted shredded coconut
- Fresh fruit (kiwi, dragon fruit, blueberries)
- Black sesame seeds
- Raw cacao nibs
- Edible flowers
Preparation Instructions
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Preparing chia seeds: 10 minutes beforehand, mix the chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water. Let them swell.
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Ube base: In a high-powered blender, blend the banana, coconut milk, ube powder, almond butter, and ice cubes until thick and creamy. Pour into a bowl, on just one side.
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Matcha base: Without rinsing the blender, blend the second banana with oat milk, matcha, soaked chia seeds, and ice cubes. The consistency should match the ube base.
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Artistic assembly: Carefully pour the matcha base on the other side of the bowl. Use a spoon to create a sharp dividing line or yin-yang designs.
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Topping arrangement: Organize toppings in rows or sections for maximum visual impact. Alternate textures and colors.
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Finishing touch: Sprinkle a little ube powder on one side and matcha on the other to intensify the colors.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Sustained energy: Complex carbohydrates and healthy fats
- Plant-based proteins: Chia seeds and almond butter
- Antioxidants: Double dose with ube and matcha
- Prebiotics: The fibers feed your microbiota
Advanced Techniques for Pairing Ube and Matcha
Balancing Flavors
- Ideal ratio: 2:1 (ube:matcha) for beginners
- For matcha lovers: 1:1 for more intensity
- Sweet tip: Since ube is naturally sweet, reduce the sugar in your recipes by 20%
Optimize Colors
- Color preservation: Add a pinch of citric acid to keep the purple vibrant
- Intensification: Always sift powders to avoid lumps
- Protection: Light fades colors, so store away from it.
Complementary Textures
- Creamy: Ube naturally adds smoothness
- Lightness: Matcha can lighten dense preparations.
- Incorporation: First, mix the powders with the dry ingredients
Creative Applications of the Ube-Matcha Duo
Modern Pastry
- Two-tone macarons: Ube shells, matcha-white chocolate ganache
- Marbled éclairs: Colored choux pastry, alternating diplomat cream
- Layered tartlets: Neutral shortbread base, layered creams
Innovative Drinks
- Rainbow bubble tea: Ube pearls, matcha tea
- Energizing Frappe: Distinct layers for visual effect
- Hot chocolate with a twist: White chocolate base, colorful swirls
Frozen Desserts
- Homemade marbled ice cream: Ripple technique for a marbled effect
- Layered popsicles: Freeze in successive layers
- Two-tone semifreddo: Airy texture, elegant presentation
Buying Guide and Storage
Choosing Your Powders
At Pure Tea, we offer a complete range of premium powders for making these recipes:
For the Ube:
- Pure Ube: Our organic powder from the Philippines, with an authentic taste and vibrant color
- Pure Ube Vanilla: The perfect pairing with Madagascar bourbon vanilla for even more indulgent creations
For the Matcha:
- Pure Matcha Ceremonie Hisui: Our organic ceremonial-grade matcha, perfect for recipes where the matcha flavor should shine
- Pure Vanilla Matcha: A unique creation blending our organic matcha with Madagascan bourbon vanilla, perfect for sweetening pairings with ube
These high-quality organic powders guarantee vibrant colors and authentic flavors in all your ube-matcha creations.
Optimal Storage
- Airtight containers: Protect from air and moisture
- Temperature: Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid refrigeration.
- Duration: Use within 6 months after opening
- Tip: Date your containers to keep track of freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pairing Ube and Matcha
Do the Flavors Really Pair Well?
Absolutely! Ube brings a sweetness that softens matcha’s natural bitterness, creating a perfect balance. It’s like pairing caramel and salt: opposites attract and complement each other.
Can I Make These Recipes Ahead of Time?
Most of them keep well:
- Swiss roll: 3 days refrigerated, well wrapped
- Tiramisu: Best after 24 hours of resting
- Smoothie bowl: Consume immediately for best texture.
How to Prevent Colors from Mixing?
- Work with mixtures of similar consistency
- Use a piping bag technique for greater precision
- Refrigerate between each step to set the layers
Conclusion: The Art of Culinary Fusion
The combination of ube and matcha goes beyond just an Instagram trend—it's a true flavor revolution. These recipes let you explore this harmonious pairing while impressing your guests with creations that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Whether you're a fan of elaborate pastries or prefer healthy breakfasts, this superfood duo brings endless possibilities to your kitchen. Feel free to adapt these recipes to your taste and share your creations with #UbeMatchaFusion.
The purple-green adventure is just beginning. Let your creativity run wild and turn your kitchen into a flavor lab where Southeast Asia meets Japan in a burst of color and benefits!
