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Matcha is popular in desserts, but the soothing tea Hojicha (roasted green tea) is popular too in Japan. You might not know that Hojicha can also be used in cakes and confectioneries. Cakes made of tea are delicious and easier to make than you can imagine. It is common in Japan to combine banana and Hojicha in their recipes because of the health benefits and flavor. We will talk about the health benefits before we dive into learning the recipe. Experience Japanese tea snacking in the comfort of your home.
Health Benefits of Banana
It keeps you full quickly.
The fiber makes you feel full and have fewer cravings. With the combined fiber and carbohydrates and only a hundred calories in a banana, there is no need to eat more food just to be satisfied.
Healthier gut
We are often advised to eat bananas when we have stomachaches or diarrhea. Bananas prevent bloating and contain prebiotic starch to nourish the gut and improve the cells ability to send signals to control blood sugar and insulin levels. Normal blood sugar levels prevent diabetes and other health problems.
Helps with weight loss
The potassium content in bananas helps provide minerals to the heart, muscles, and nerves, resulting in fewer cramps and more effective workout sessions. Potassium even moves nutrients into the cells and lets out toxins outside the cells.
Improves sleep
Aside from helping to relax the muscles, Potassium and Magnesium can aid in good-quality sleep since potassium reduces muscle cramps and magnesium lowers stress and anxiety. With vitamin B6, your melatonin will be enough to result in a good night's sleep.
Packed with many nutrients with fewer calories.
One banana has lots of vitamin C, B6, fiber, carbohydrates, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients for only around 100 calories.
Health Benefits of Hojicha
It contains a high level of antioxidants
Catechins in Hojicha contain antioxidants that flush toxins from the body and protect cells from cancer, liver disease, and heart disease.
It helps boost memory and energy
L-Theanine reduces anxiety and stress levels, making your mind calm and relaxed, yet it can also improve memory. In addition, the small amount of caffeine in tea keeps mental alertness up and can boost energy levels.
Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol
L-Theanine lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels, which reduces stress. Good cholesterol improves the fat-burning and energy-making processes, while bad cholesterol clogs the arteries. The catechins in Hojicha can lower harmful cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol absorption within the heart, arteries, and intestines.
It keeps you full and helps with weight loss
The antioxidants and little caffeine in Hojicha boost metabolism, and it's great to drink a cup of it before exercise. You will feel full and hydrated with fewer calories. Best of all, you would not crave food or sugar.
The healthy and yummy Japan’s Heath Boom: Banana Juice
Banana is a prevalent fruit worldwide, although, in Japan, banana is more popular as a dessert or diet food. Eating a banana still feels a bit empty in the stomach. Other businesses are thinking of new drinks to sell, and voila! They are creating banana-based drinks that have become a continuous hit in Japan.
Starbucks Japan followed the fabulous drink trend and decided to make their two frappuccinos filled with real banana for a sweet coffee flavor. These frappuccinos are: Bananana Banana Frappuccino and Choco Bananana Banana Frappuccino. Each drink has small, sweet toppings on top of the whipped cream. The Chocolate one is inspired by chocolate banana bread and desserts.
Even the famous Kikkoman soy sauce brand is joining to offer banana soy milk drinks. The good thing is that the soybeans used are non-genetically modified, which is also okay to drink for hormone-sensitive drinkers.
With the popularity of bananas in Japan, many people are buying refreshments from banana juice stands. Getting the nutrients from bananas by drinking banana juice can now be fulfilling. Banana juice, a combination of banana and milk with many health benefits, is a delicious to-go drink throughout the year.
Yummy recipes for everyone: Hojicha Banana Cake
Banana Juice is easy to make, but since banana milkshakes and juices are typical, we will try to make this healthy and delicious Hojicha Banana cake. With the combination of these two superfoods, everyone will surely love this cake without regret.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cake flour
- 2.5 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup cane sugar
- 2 beaten eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp hojicha loose leaf
- 2 bananas (½ banana for topping)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Let unsalted butter and beaten eggs sit at room temperature. Line a pan with parchment paper. → If you don't have parchment paper, use a non-stick spray or oil.
- Pour milk into a saucepan and gently heat it. Put the hojicha loose leaf in right before the milk starts to boil. Cook it on medium heat for 5 minutes and let it cool slightly.
- Mash 1 banana with a fork and set aside; slice the remaining banana for use as toppings.
- Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Pour ⅓ of the beaten eggs into the bowl and stir until incorporated. Repeat three times.
- Sift flour and baking powder into the bowl and mix well.
- Add the mashed banana and pour in the hojicha milk liquid. Quickly mix all the ingredients.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and put the sliced bananas on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown (ovens may vary).
Voila! A Hojicha banana cake that you can enjoy together with your favorite drink. This cake is also perfect for eating and sharing during breakfast. With wide varieties, we can eat healthy foods without sacrificing taste..
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University
Kei Nishida is a Japanese green tea enthusiast, a writer, and the founder and CEO of Japanese Green Tea Co., a Dream of Japan Company. His passion for introducing America to the tea of his homeland was the catalyst for creating the only company that brings high-quality tea from Arahataen Green Tea Farms to the rest of the world. Learn more about Kei