Matcha Ice Cream

Matcha Ice Cream

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This vibrant Japanese green tea ice cream delivers the earthy, slightly bitter notes of ceremonial-grade matcha balanced by a rich, creamy custard base. It is the perfect treat on a warm afternoon or alongside a slice of castella cake. A few quality ingredients and a little patience during chilling yield a silky, scoopable dessert with a beautiful jade hue.

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time35 mins
Servings6
Yield6 servings (about 1.5 quarts)

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (estimated)

  • 285 kcalCalories
  • 22 gFat
  • 13 gSaturated Fat
  • 18 gCarbs
  • 0 gFiber
  • 17 gSugar
  • 4 gProtein
  • 110 mgSodium
  • 140 mgPotassium
  • 95 mgCalcium
  • 0.8 mgIron
  • 1 mgVitamin C
  • 520 mcgVitamin A

Ingredients

For the Matcha Custard Base

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup ceremonial-grade matcha powder
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Finishing

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for slightly sweeter result)

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream and whole milk and warm over medium heat until steaming and small bubbles form around the edges, about 4 minutes; do not let it boil.
  2. Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl and whisk in 2 tablespoons of the warm cream mixture until completely smooth, then stir the matcha slurry back into the saucepan.
  3. In a separate heatproof bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and salt until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
  4. Slowly pour about one-third of the hot cream mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper, then pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard coats the back of the spoon and registers 170 to 175°F, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, and strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any bits of cooked egg or matcha clumps.
  6. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
  7. Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions, about 20 to 25 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
  8. Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, press plastic wrap onto the surface, cover, and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours, before serving.

Cook’s Notes

  • Use ceremonial-grade matcha for the brightest color and cleanest, least-bitter flavor; culinary-grade will taste more astringent and look duller.
  • If you do not have an ice cream maker, pour the chilled custard into a shallow metal pan, freeze for 45 minutes, then beat vigorously with a fork; repeat every 30 minutes three to four times until creamy.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute full-fat coconut milk for the cream and use a plant-based milk in place of the whole milk.
  • Always sift the matcha before whisking it into the cream to avoid green lumps in the finished ice cream.
  • Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before freezing to prevent ice crystals and keep the texture silky.