Cricketscoffee Blog

WHAT IS MATCHA? I want to give you a little background on matcha. This green tea powder was first produced in Japan in the 1100s, and it is used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Made from shade-grown green tea leaves that are ground to a fine powder, matcha is known for its high levels of antioxidants. Because you consume the whole tea leaf when you drink it, it also contains more caffeine than regular green tea, though still often less than a cup of coffee. Generally, you’ll find matcha designated as one of two grades. Ceremonial grade matcha tends to have the most vibrant green color and a balanced earthy, nutty flavor. It works nicely in lattes and can also be whisked into hot water to make green tea. Though a fraction of the price, culinary grade matcha has a stronger, more bitter taste and is best suited to baking recipes. Want to learn more? Check out my What Is Matcha blog post!

Can't make it to your favorite coffee shop? Recreate your go-to order at home. From iced mochas to biscotti, our recipes for coffee shop drinks and treats will satisfy your cravings — and fill your home with that heavenly coffee shop smell. "Easy, tasty, and cheap! I'm all for simple, so I go for a one-cup method where I place the coffee, one packet of Splenda and water in the glass first and swirl around to dissolve, then add a generous 'squirt' of chocolate syrup, swirl some more, and add milk.

Ingredients Coffee Base 3 cup water 2/3 cup coarsely ground coffee 3 tablespoon dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Assembly Ice, for serving milk or half-and-half, to taste

What You’ll Need Cold Brew Coffee Layer: 1 ½ cups cold brew coffee (store-bought or homemade) 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional, like Kahlúa) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon cocoa powder, for dusting Creamy Tiramisu Foam: ¼ cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese, softened 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: Cocoa powder, for dusting Chocolate shavings (optional)