The best matcha green tea ice cream with step by step photo instructions and answers to all your matcha questions. This easy matcha green tea ice cream will be your new favorite way to caffeinate.

Scoops of green ice cream with grey background.

After enjoying scoop after scoop on our trip to Japan and some seriously delicious recipe testing, I am excited to offer you my fantastically wonderful matcha ice cream.

Step by step green ice cream with photos

Whisk the yolks and sugar together until pale yellow.
Warm the milk and vanilla until it just lightly simmers.

Temper the egg/sugar mixture with the milk/vanilla mixture.

Tempering egg mixture into purple pot with whisk.

Return to the sauce pan and cook until thickened, stirring slowly and constantly. It should get to 170F using an instant read thermometer.

Remove from heat. Sift (photo 1) and whisk or blend the matcha into the mixture (photos 2). Add the cream (photo 3). Chill in the refrigerator overnight.

Step by step mixing matcha into ice cream custard base.

The next day, add your chilled ice cream to the ice cream maker. Churn (stir setting) until it is the thickness of soft serve ice cream, 18-22 minutes.

Green ice cream in KitchenAid ice cream attachment on grey background.

Transfer to a container you can freeze, cover with parchment paper (optional), and freeze at least 4 hours.

Tips & Tricks for matcha green tea ice cream

Want more matcha flavor? Add an extra teaspoon of matcha. Want it more vanilla-y? Leave one out.
Cover the ice cream with parchment paper for a longer lasting smooth, soft texture.
Use culinary grade matcha...no need to waste that extra money on the ceremonial grade matcha for this recipe. FYI You should only be using that top shelf matcha with water...not even lattes.

Green ice cream in circular dish on grey dishtowel.

Tips for storing matcha

Make sure you store your matcha in a well-sealed container. It needs to be air tight to keep out moisture.
How to keep it fresh: store your sealed matcha in the refrigerator for long lasting freshness.

What does matcha taste like?

Matcha has a complex flavor that can be described as umami. With hints of sweet, grassy, creamy, and , it starts on a vegetal-like taste, and ends on a sweet note.

Does Green Tea Ice Cream Have Caffeine?

Yes. Matcha has antioxidants, chlorophyll, and amino acids unlike other forms of caffeine, but are about half the amount of a cup of black coffee. One quart of this matcha ice cream has 6 servings of matcha.

Is green tea ice cream good for you?

Green tea has many health benefits - it is packed with antioxidants and amino acids. However, green tea ice cream is still ice cream.

What goes with green tea ice cream?

Make this matcha treat a double by turning it into a matcha affogato. It is also delicious topped with chocolate syrup or fresh tropical fruits like pineapple and strawberry.

Equipment & matcha used to make this matcha ice cream

Culinary Grade Matcha
Ice cream attachment for Kitchen Aid mixer – I like to use this ice cream maker attachment because it doesn’t require an additional appliance. If you do not have a Kitchen Aid mixer and prefer not to buy one, this is my favorite inexpensive option ice cream maker, and this is my favorite high-end ice cream maker. All three options work with gelato, ice cream, and sorbet.
Instant Read Thermometer
Kitchen Aid mixer
Ice Cream Scooper
Freezer container for ice cream

Other ice cream recipes

...or peruse all my dessert recipes here.

Other matcha recipes

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Print Recipe

4.98 from 47 votes

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

After some seriously delicious recipe testing, I am excited to offer you my fantastically wonderful matcha ice cream. This is the good stuff…full of matcha flavor, without all the extra sugar to distract you.

Prep Time30

Cook Time30

Resting Time4

Total Time1

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Japanese

Servings:

Calories: 273kcal

Author: Candice

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Put the bowl of your ice cream maker in the freezer.
Whisk the yolks and sugar together until pale yellow.
Warm the milk and vanilla until it just lightly simmers.
Temper the egg/sugar mixture with the milk/vanilla mixture.
Return to the sauce pan and cook until thickened, stirring slowly and constantly. It should get to 170F.
Remove from heat. Sift and whisk or blend the matcha into the mixture. Add the cream. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.
The next day, add your chilled ice cream to the ice cream maker. Churn (stir setting) until it is the thickness of soft serve ice cream, 18-22 minutes.
Transfer to a container you can freeze, cover with parchment paper (optional), and freeze at least 4 hours.

Video

Notes

Want more matcha flavor? Add an extra teaspoon of matcha. Want it more vanilla-y? Leave one out.

Cover the ice cream with parchment paper for a longer lasting smooth, soft texture.

Make sure you store your matcha in a well-sealed container. It needs to be air tight to keep out moisture.

How to keep it fresh: store your sealed matcha in the refrigerator for long lasting freshness.

Use culinary grade matcha...no need to waste that extra money on the ceremonial grade matcha for this recipe. FYI You should only be using that top shelf matcha with water...not even lattes.

Nutrition

Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.

This post was originally published in May of 2018, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, and tips in August of 2019.