How to Make a Matcha Latte + Dark Chocolatey Matcha Waffles | Recipes Inspired by Candice Kumai
A Review on Kintsugi Wellness by Candace Kumai
Wellness is rooted in education and information sharing, that’s a really important component to success in this industry. Without a doubt, I’ve learned so much from the “Golden Girl of Wellness”, Candace Kumai. she’s a mixed chick like me, she’s got roots from japan + poland. candace is a wellness chef, author, and influencer. I listen to her wabi sabi podcast religiously and have read her book, Kintsugi Wellness: The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit. Think of it as an essential guide to living your life with intention + purpose.
You will find helpful tips on proper diet, cultivating good relationships, managing life’s challenges, and how to ground yourself. Kintsugi means gold + repair. It is an ancient Japanese art form from the Muromachi period (1334 - 1573 AD). It has transformed into the practice of repairing broken objects by painting the cracks with lacquer and dusting them with gold powder. It is the celebration of imperfection.
“Your cracks make you beautiful.”
Candace has so much grit, she’s a hard-working, relentless, and inspiring individual that we can all learn from. She will teach you the ten principles, “the work” as she calls it, that will guide you throughout your career + life altogether.
Wabi-Sabi - Admire imperfection
Gaman - Live with great resilience
Eiyōshoku - Nourish your body
Ki o tsukete - Learn to take care
Ganbatte - Always do your best
Kaizen - Continuously improve
Shikata ga nai - Accept what cannot be helped
Yuimaru - Care for your inner circle
Kansha - Cultivate sincere gratitude
Osettai - Be of service to others, welcoming gifts
Candace takes you back to the beauty of respecting others and their traditions. she celebrates her heritage by paying respect in her homeland and honoring her ancestry. Candace says, “The struggles will become your story. and that’s the beauty of kintsugi. your cracks can become the most beautiful part of you.” she stresses the importance of trusting yourself, and kansha, which translates as cultivating gratitude. these are the two areas I am working on at the moment. In addition to this, I am also using her book to experiment in the kitchen and i’m loving it! I enjoy incorporating superfood ingredients into everyday meals and this includes matcha. I wanted to focus on matcha for the month of march and I'm learning about the amazing benefits!
Matcha Recipes that Will Change Your Life
Matcha is made from the entire green tea leaf and therefore, much stronger in it’s nutrient profile. the tea leaves are harvested, then ground up into a powder, which give you that vibrant green color. Matcha is high in antioxidants, is great for liver support, boosts brain function, reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease, and is great for weightloss.
So today, I’m pulling from Candace Kumai’s expertise on matcha to create two easy recipes! I’m making a dark chocolate hazelnut matcha waffle and a refreshing matcha latte to go with! I used candace’s matcha chocolate chip pancake recipe for inspiration! to make these recipes, I used Usucha ceremonial powder. Candace recommends purchasing japanese-produced matcha powder, making sure it is ceremonial grade, organic, well before the expiration date, and that no other ingredients have been added. this is very important in keeping the integrity of the recipe.
I hope you love these two delicious treats! screenshot my recipes below!
Dark Chocolatey Hazelnut Matcha Waffles
dry ingredients
1 cup gluten free flour
1 1/2 tbsp of matcha powder
1 1/2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
wet ingredients
2 eggs (optional)
2 tsp of organic sugar or your choice of sweetener
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1 mashed ripe banana
1 cup of almond or coconut milk
as you bake
dark chocolate chips
chopped hazelnuts
coconut oil for greasing
instructions
1. whisk dry ingredients in one bowl, then add wet ingredients in another bowl. remember to mash the banana beforehand.
2. mix wet + dry mixtures together. i use a mini waffle maker but you may use a regular sized grill.
3. dab coconut oil onto the grill, then pour the mixture into the crevices making sure you save room on top for your chopped hazelnuts + dark chocolate chips. sprinkle them onto your batter while it’s in the waffle maker and then close the top.
4. wait about a minute, then pop the waffle out! it may be about two minutes to cook if you are using a regular sized waffle maker.
tips
feel free to add other kinds of nuts like macadamias or protein powder for a morning boost!
Matcha Lattes Made Easy
Where to Buy Matcha Supplies
Matcha set includes:
chasen - bamboo whisk
chashaku - matcha scoop
teaspoon
The Matcha Latte Made Easy
ingredients
matcha powder
almond or coconut milk
instructions
1. To make your matcha, you will need to boil water then let it cool for a bit.
2. place a teaspoon of matcha into a small bowl and sift it with your chasen.
3. once your water is at about 175° to 185°, add it to the bowl and mix the two quickly making M and n shapes until bubble form at the top!
4. Pour a cup of your coconut milk over ice into a glass then add the matcha mixture on top. you’ll see a beautiful cloud cover as you stir it.
tips
add a sweetener if you want or use the mixture to make a smoothie!
