A delectable dairy free matcha ice cream made with a base of hemp seeds, young coconuts and sweetened with raw dates (or liquid sweetener of choice), and enhanced with a touch of lemon and real vanilla bean powder. YUM!

A long standing tradition of Japanese culture, Matcha Green Tea is the highest quality powdered green tea available. Made from the nutrient-rich young leaves picked from the tips of shade-grown Camellia sinensis plants, Matcha Green Tea is steamed, stemmed, and de-vined before being stone-ground into very fine powder. Matcha is not raw food, but its amazing superfood. The first amazing benefit of Matcha Green Tea is that it provides over 5 times as many antioxidants as any other food. Antioxidants are the magical nutrients and enzymes responsible for fighting against the negative effects of UV radiation, giving us younger-looking skin, and preventing a number of life-threatening maladies. Japanese people drink matcha tea every day and maybe its why they are so healthy 😉

Hemp seeds pleasant “nutty” taste somewhat like the taste of sunflowers seeds or pine nuts, but have a softer texture. Hemp seed has a perfect ratio of EFA’s (essential fatty acids) and should be eaten in quantity every day. The ideal EFA ratio for human health is 3 or 4:1 omega-6 over omega-3. Flax seed has the opposite balance of 1:4 omega-6 over omega-3. Flax seed, and most other sources of EFA, when eaten in quantity everyday, can create dangerous EFA imbalances.

Also, unique to hemp is a powerful protein called globule edestins. which was found only in hemp seed! This protein is uniquely similar to globulin found in human blood plasma. Therefore, this raw ice cream is not only delisious, but really good for your health and you can eat worry-free without getting fat.

• 1 cup raw hemp seeds, soaked for 15 min
• ½ cup young coconut meat (you can replace coconut with raw cashews soaked for 2 hours)
• 8-10 dates (or ½ cup coconut or maple syrup)
• 1cup coconut water (or nut milk)
• 1tbsp matcha powder
• 1tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp vanilla beans (or 1tsp vanilla extract)

If you will use dates like me, the first step is setting your dates to soak. This will soften them so that they’re ready to puree. Put the dates in a bowl with warm water and let them sit.

This ice-cream is so easy to make: all you have to do is to mix all the ingredients in a blender until it’s all mixed up, creamy and fluffy. Pour into ice cream machine and freeze according to manufacturers instructions.

If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the ice cream in a pan (more surface area, the better), stirring every 20-30 minutes to break up the ice crystals.  Another option is to freeze ice cream batter in ice cube trays, and then process in a food processor until smooth.

Bon Appetit!