Matcha Panna Cotta

Matcha Panna Cotta is a fun twist on an Italian classic dessert. It's perfectly rich and creamy, and features a very delicate, earthy flavor from the matcha. This is the perfect dessert to impress your guests, yet so simple to make.

What is matcha panna cotta

We love matcha and love to incorporate it in dessert recipes. Matcha has a bitter and earthy flavor that balance our perfectly any sweet dessert. It has a very strong taste and we used to not enjoy as much, but it's an acquired taste and we learned to love it so much! This panna cotta has a decadent and velvety texture, with a sweet yet very balanced flavor. We love this recipe because it looks so fancy, but it's so simple to make. You only need very few basic ingredients, and can be made ahead of a special night or party. It's the perfect spring dessert and requires no baking. We also love a good twist on a classic dish!

More related recipes

If you are also obsessed with matcha flavoured desserts, check out these recipes:

• No-Bake Matcha (Green Tea) Cheesecake
• White Chocolate Matcha (Green Tea) Brownies
• Matcha Tiramisu
• Chewy White Chocolate Matcha Cookie
• Matcha and Milk Japanese Fluffy Bread

Which matcha powder to use

Matcha is a type of green tea that has been pulverized into a powder and a good matcha should be creamy and strong in flavour. It also holds great health benefits, as it is full of antioxidants and is a natural detoxifier. To get the best matcha flavor, make sure to always use the best matcha you can find, preferably a ceremonial-grade. To know everything about matcha, check out our matcha cheesecake recipe where we go more in-depth about this ingredient. If you don't have any Asian supermarket close to your home, we heard good things about this one that is available online.

Milk to Gelatin ratio

The milk to gelatin ratio is crucial to get the perfect texture. We used 1 pack of gelatin powder for 1 1/2 cup of liquid. If you decide to swap for another type of thickening agent, adjust the amount of cream and half and half, as the texture will probably differ. Agar agar is also another great vegan alternative.

Tips to make the best matcha panna cotta

• Use high quality matcha powder. If possible, use ceremonial grade for the best color and flavor.
• Adjust matcha amount. Every matcha powder is different so before doing a recipe, you should always try to evaluate how strong it is. You might have to play a little bit with the matcha measurement in this recipe. Try first putting 1/2 tbsp, and if it's not strong enough, put in the full 3/4 tbsp. If your matcha is not as strong, you might have to go up to a full tbsp. Matcha is very common and can be found in any Asian supermarket.
• Let gelatin dissolve completely. It is important to let the mixture heat until it simmers while whisking constantly. This will allow the matcha powder to dilute properly and to avoid the bitter after taste.
• Do not boil milk and cream mixture. It should not reach a boiling point.
• Dilute matcha powder in water and strain. It is important to dilute the matcha powder in hot water first and to mix well. You can use a matcha whisk such as this one. We usually just like to add the hot water and matcha powder into a container that can be closed so we can then shake it well until mixed. Another tip is to strain the mixture before putting it into your ramekins to avoid the residual powder.
• If you want to plate the matcha panna cotta, use shallow ramekins and make sure to grease them before using. Once ready to serve, dip the ramekins into a bowl of hot water for 5 seconds.
• Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours for the best texture.

Toppings variations

There exist so many delicious combination to eat with your matcha panna cotta. We love to serve it with fresh berries, such as raspberries. The slightly sour fruit balances out perfectly the sweetness and richness of the dessert. Here's a few other popular toppings variations:

• Fruit coulis
• Red bean paste
• Mochi
• Fresh fruits

Ingredients

• Gelatin powder and water will create the perfect firm yet creamy and decadent texture. Gelatin sheets and agar agar can also be used.
• Matcha powder for flavoring. Use the best powder you can find and adjust depending on how strong it is, as every matcha powder is different.
• Half and half and heavy cream is the base of your panna cotta and this combination will make the perfect creamy, rich, yet not overly heavy.
• Cane sugar for the added sweetness, but feel free to use preferred sweetener.

Instructions

Bloom gelatin. Add the water into a small bowl and add the gelatine powder. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Prepare panna cotta mixture. In a saucepan, add the half and half and the heavy cream and heat over medium low heat. Add the gelatine mix into the saucepan and mix using a whisk for about 2 minutes until there are no more chunks of gelatine. Add the matcha powder into the mixture and continue whisking gently until the liquid simmers and the matcha powder is well dissolved.

Strain and assemble. Remove saucepan from heat and add the cane sugar. Strain mixture through a sieve and pour into 3 individual ramekins.

Let set in the fridge and serve! Let cool to room temperature and let set in the fridge for at least 2 hours or until firm. Serve with fresh fruits and whipped cream.SaveSave

SaveSave