Matcha Tea Roll

The matcha tea roll is a delicate and refined dessert that combines the tradition of pastry with the exotic flavor of matcha, a powdered green tea of Japanese origin. Here is the recipe for making a matcha tea roll with an Italian twist – perhaps a custard cream instead of the classic whipped cream filling.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• 120 g of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of matcha tea powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• Icing sugar (for decoration)

For the Italian custard cream:

• 500 ml of whole milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• 40 g of all-purpose flour
• 1 vanilla pod or one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons of matcha tea powder

Preparation

1. Start with the custard cream: heat the milk with the split vanilla pod on medium heat, without boiling it. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until they become light and fluffy. Add the sifted flour and continue stirring.
2. Remove the vanilla from the warm milk and pour a little milk into the bowl with the yolks, stirring continuously. Transfer the mixture back into the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Finally, add the sifted matcha, mix and let it cool, covered with cling film in contact to avoid the formation of a skin.
3. For the matcha sponge cake: preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F). Beat the eggs with the sugar until you have a light and fluffy mixture. Add the sifted matcha tea and fold in gently from the bottom up to not deflate the mixture.
4. Delicately fold in the sifted flour and a pinch of salt as well.
5. Spread the batter onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, creating an even layer.
6. Bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes.
7. Once baked, flip the sponge cake onto a damp tea towel and gently remove the parchment paper. Immediately roll up the sponge cake with the towel and let it cool completely.
8. Gently unroll the sponge cake, fill it with the cooled matcha custard cream, and roll it up again.
9. Dust the roll with icing sugar before serving.

Curiosity

Matcha tea is used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and has a history of thousands of years. It is characterized by its bright green color and its intense, slightly bitter taste. In modern cuisine, it has become popular for its aesthetic value and antioxidant properties. In the matcha roll, it gives us not only flavor but also a wonderful natural green color.