Matcha Ice Cubes That Flavor Water as They Melt

In a glass of cold water, ordinary ice cubes dilute the tea as they melt. Matcha ice cubes do the opposite: they release their flavor gradually. About 1 1/2 tsp (3 g) matcha and about 1/2 cup (120 ml) water fill six compartments. Allow 5 minutes to prepare them and at least 4 hours to freeze them, or 4 hours 5 minutes before use.

These cubes work best in a lightly sweetened drink where you can still taste the tea. If you'd rather drink right away, the cold matcha recipes include options to serve immediately.

• Preparation 5 minutes
• Freezing at least 4 hours
• Cooking none
• Total time at least 4 hours 5 minutes
• Servings 6 ice cubes of about 4 tsp (20 ml) each
• Tools a fine sieve, a bowl, a small spoon, and a six-cube tray with compartments of about 4 tsp (20 ml) each

Matcha ice cube ingredients

• About 1 1/2 tsp (3 g) matcha
• 4 tsp (20 ml) water at about 167°F (75°C)
• About 3 1/3 fl oz (100 ml) cold water

How to make matcha ice cubes

1. Sift about 1 1/2 tsp (3 g) matcha into a bowl.
2. Pour 4 tsp (20 ml) water at about 167°F (75°C) over the powder.
3. Work the matcha with a small spoon until it forms a smooth paste.
4. Add about 3 1/3 fl oz (100 ml) cold water.
5. Stir until evenly mixed.
6. Immediately divide the mixture among six compartments of about 4 tsp (20 ml) each.
7. Freeze the tray for at least 4 hours, until the cubes are solid all the way through.
8. Unmold the cubes when you're ready to serve.

Starting with a paste and a little water distributes the matcha more evenly through the tray. Stir once more before pouring: if the bowl sits, powder may settle and the last cubes will be stronger than the first.

How do you use them in a drink?

Two cubes add about 1/2 tsp (1 g) matcha and about 1 1/3 fl oz (40 ml) water. Put them in about 5 fl oz (150 ml) cold water and taste as they melt. Milk won't give you the same balance at these proportions.

For clear matcha flavor from the first sip, mix the powder into the water before adding regular ice cubes. Each matcha cube contains only about 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) matcha; the gradual change in the drink is the point.

Can you add strawberries to the cubes?

Yes. Wash and cut 0.63 oz (18 g) strawberries into six pieces (3 g each). Put one in each compartment before pouring in the matcha mixture. Keep the same minimum freezing time and check that the centers have set. The fruit changes the flavor without changing the base proportions.

Which matcha gives the cubes flavor?

Because these cubes melt into water, we choose Jade matcha powder to keep the tea in the foreground. In sweetened milk or with syrup, its subtler notes will be harder to notice; matcha for cooking may then be enough.

Our tip. Fill the six compartments just after your last stir. The powder won't have time to collect at the bottom of the bowl.

Allergens. None of the base ingredients is a common allergen.