The 2 Week Matcha Diary Has Been Completed

This is my final post regarding my Matcha Diary. This was the final day. So here's my final review on my two weeks. So what was it all about? Check out the original post here. 

The last two weeks have been fun. I've passed my last two pastry assessments (recipe here). EVER! I've had no coffees for 2 weeks, which is hard for a coffee lover but I'm also a tea lover which is good as I replaced my morning coffee with Matcha Green Tea.  

According to the teapigs website they had a study on people to try the teapig matcha shot for 2 weeks (see the website for there results).

I've taken the questions set at the end of the two week process and asked myself and have answered as followed:

Hey Penny!

Hello Penny, You ok?

Can't complain. Had an upset tummy the other day.

Ditto. Freaky.

Whatever, you're talking to yourself you insane person. Lets just do this, I've got cupcakes to ice! So, will you recommend Matcha to a friend?
Nice thanks. I would recommend to a friend who was interested in tea and looking for that healthy alternative to coffee for an energy boost. 

Would you buy Matcha again?
Right, I would buy Matcha again because it can be put into hot water, milkshakes, porridge and baked with. I feel that, because it's versatility that I would buy again. So in short yes!

Do you feel that you had more energy?

Definitely Yes! I feel that I was more buzzing as the day continued especially on work days, when the boost was really needed. I would have the Matcha shot and just over an hour after taking the shot I would feel more awake and focused on the task I was doing. 

How much energy?

How do you measure energy? Well I would say that I feel more energised for about 4 hours. 

Did it make you slimmer?
Hey! Thats rude! If I have to be honest, I'm not really looking to lose weight at this stage so I haven't noticed.

How about your skin and nails, has it improved?
I have noticed that my nails are stronger and are less prone to flaking. I've also noticed that my skin is much better, (less blemishes) considering that I have oily skin and any improvement no matter how little is very much appreciated.  

So in conclusion, was it worth it? 
You know what? Yes, I think its worth trying out even if you try a sample or pinch a loved ones Matcha tea, if you can grab it before they notice!

Bake On and Drink On!

Matcha Diary Day 12 and 13

Day 12:
11am-Sunday lay-in!
11:30am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.
12am- Had some lunch.
1:30pm- Went shopping
4:30pm- Got home and had a mini cupcake rather then a regular one. But no snacks at all. 
10pm- Thrown myself into bed. Busy day tomorrow.

Day 13:
6:30am-Boo for mondays! But have to get to work. Busy day. I did have my Matcha Shot right at the start of my morning. However, my stomach is feeling achey so decided to have a glass of water to flush out my system.
7:15am- Sadly my stomach ache didn't pass and I wasn't able to go to work. 
10am- My stomach hasn't settled but I feel wide awake thanks to the matcha. Feeling calm. 
12pm-Still haven't had anything to eat but feeling much better
1:20pm- Have had a little soup and still feeling focused and calm.
2pm- Feeling really tired and drained, this feeling continued through the day.  
9:30pm- Going to bed not feeling so good again.

Matcha Diary Day's 9, 10 and 11

I fell behind in my matcha day for the last couple of days down to pure tiredness. To be honest no amount of matcha could have woken me up. But it did it's job for work as it did keep me focused.

Day 9:
6:10am-Really tired after the excitement of passing my pastry assessment. But got to do my job and get to work.
7am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.
8am- Got to work in the end after falling asleep on the commute.
10am- Feeling a bit tired still but still very tired.
12:30pm- Had lunch and it's made me more sleepy!
2pm- Feeling a little better but still having an undertone of tiredness.
4:30pm- Home time! Time to eat, bath and then bed!
10pm- Thrown myself into bed!

Day 10:
6:30am-Got up but it's too early to think. I think it's time for a Matcha shot! But it's FRIDAY!!! YAY!
7:30am- Out the door to work and feeling much better and more ready to work.
8:30am-Had breakfast at work. I feel more calmer and relaxed for the insanely busy day ahead.
9:30am- Feeling very alert and calm but the whole office is stressed out as it's 'busy Friday' 
12:40am- Had a brief lunch as it was really busy. The Matcha must be doing it's job as I feel calm despite the stressy customers. Staying  very 
5pm- After a hectic day and a busy week, I'm looking forward to a saturday doing nothing.   
11pm-I know it's a friday but I'm off to bed. I think the matcha really helped me get through the day. Sleepy time for me.

Day 11
10:10am- Woke up and went instantly for the matcha. Its become a a good habit. I was meant to meet my university tutor but she couldn't make it. Which is great for a lay in!
11am- Had a  
1:30pm- Feeling a little drained but not sure why. 
4pm-want to Starbucks with my mum and neighbour and her grandchildren. I really fancy a coffee >.< but I resisted and had some tea instead.
6pm- Feeling great and energised. Thanks again matcha!

Penny's Matcha Diary 7 and 8! It's been a week! Woo!

Day 7:

11am-Major lay-in as I had a rough nights sleep. I was really worried about a pastry assessment I have later in the day, so it took me ages to get to sleep. So feeling a little stressed out.

11:15am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.

12:30pm- Had lunch (while going over my recipes for my pastry assessment). Feeling a little more calmer. 

3:15pm- Going out to university for my pastry assessment.

4:30pm- Sat in a coffee shop without coffee. I must really look cool with my bottle of water and reading my assessment recipes. Keeping very calm which is not what I'm usally like on assessment day.   

5:30pm- I have 3 hours to complete a fruit fruit and creme caramels. But feeling very focused and am concentrating more.

8:45pm- Passed with merit! Woo! 
10pm- Home and thrown myself to bed!

Also ONE WEEK WITHOUT COFFEE! IT CAN BE DONE!!

Day 8:
6:30am-Woke up but not feeling 100% awake yet. I think it's Matcha time!
7:30am- Out the door to work and feeling a bit more awake but it's too early to tell.
8:30am-NEED BREAKFAST!! Starving!!
9:30am- Feeling a little more alert yet calm.
10:09am-Finally publish my Matcha Green tea and chocolate cupcakes! Yay!! 
11:40am-Went for a brief lunch break walk and had lunch.
12:40am- Had an apple for a snack (check me out with the healthy snack)
6pm-Got home and instantly went out to see my wonderful amazing  friend Naomi for sushi!!
10:30pm-Off to bed as I'm talking a load of rubbish as I'm so tired. 

Still fancy that 15% off tea at teapigs ? Put BLOGGERS12 into the checkout!

Bake and Drink on!

Matcha and Chocolate Cupcakes for Matcha May!

As mentioned in my previous posts I have been keeping a Matcha Diary and I promised to incorporate some teapigs matcha into a cupcake for Matcha May.

I feel that this combo really works, as the matcha is really understated. So if your a little unsure about matcha in a cupcake, the dark chocolate balances it out. These make a great snack to moonch on whilst at work, which I thought were really de-lish!  

Recipe: Makes 12 cupcakes (Recipe adapted from Making Cupcakes with Lola)

·       150g plain flour, sifted

·       2 ½ tablespoons of cocoa powder, sifted

·       1/4 teaspoon matcha powder

·       1 teaspoon baking powder

·       A pinch of salt

·       150g unsalted butter, at room temperature

·       265g caster sugar

·       120g dark chocolate, chopped

·       1 egg

·       150ml water

Buttercream

·       125g unsalted butter, at room temperature

·       1 tablespoon single cream, plus a little more if needed

·       ½ teaspoon matcha powder

·       500g icing sugar, sifted

Equipment:

·       Large saucepan

·       Bowl

·       Chopping board

·       Knife

·       Measuring Jug

·       Sieve

·       Tablespoon

·       Muffin tray lined with cupcake cases x 2

·       Whisk

·       Piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle or a palette knife to spread the buttercream

     1.  Pre-heat the oven to 180c/350f/Gas Mark 4 and line a 12 hole muffin tray with cupcake cases.

     2. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, matcha powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

     3. Put the butter, sugar and chocolate in a medium saucepan over a low heat. Heat until pale and smooth.

     4. Add 150ml water and whisk until combined let cool for a few minutes.

     5. Add the egg to the saucepan and whisk in.

     6. Finally, whisk in the sifted dry ingredients and whisk in well.

     7. Carefully spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases, filling them to about two-thirds full. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until slightly raised. To check they are cooked, insert a skewer in the centre of one of the cakes-it should come out clean.

     8. Remove from the oven and leave the cakes in their tins for about 10 minutes before carefully placing on a wire rack to cool. Once they are completely cool, you can ice the cupcakes.

     9.  To make the buttercream, mix the cream and matcha powder to make a paste.

    10. Put the butter into a bowl and microwave for 20 seconds until soft. Sift half the sugar into the bowl, beating until incorporated.

    11. Add the second half of the icing sugar and beat on a low speed using an electric whisk.

    12.  Add the matcha and cream paste and mix really well. If the mixture is a little thick add a tablespoon of cream and then beat again until loose. 

    13.   Spread or pipe the buttercream on the cooled cakes.

    14.  To finish off dust the top of the cupcakes with cocoa powder.

These really hit the spot when it you need a little sweet pick me up. In the buttercream alone is one daily serving of matcha, and I've heard that dark chocolate is good for you in moderation. So what's not to love?

Bake On! 

Matcha Diary Days 5 and 6

Day 5:

10:30am-woke up and instantly had my first matcha with my shot glass. This is becoming a good habit. So far haven't felt any need for my morning coffee.
11am - had quick breakfast.
1:45pm - went out to finally get a new bag as my old one split. :( I did get a nice compliment saying I look "more trim". Is this the appetite reducing affects of the Matcha making itself known?
4:45pm-feeling hungry so had a sandwich but had no other snacks.
8pm- had dinner and have had no sweets or unhealthy snacks today.

Day 6:
10am-got up and went straight for the matcha without a second thought. As the days goes on it gets easier to take.
11:15am- had a poached egg and 2 bacon rashers (hairy biker recipe from this book)
12:45pm - Starting my journey back to London. My ferry to Portsmouth. No hunger pangs. I have had a hot chocolate on the way but I fancied something hot.
2pm- feeling focused and my mind is calm on my way home.
4pm- got home ok and had a sandwich for a snack.
6pm- just finished my pastry time plan for my assessment tomorrow. Time for dinner!

Still fancy that 15% off tea at teapigs ? Put BLOGGERS12 into the checkout!

Bake and Drink on!