Matcha & Mushroom Soup
Matcha isn't just for lattes. In this matcha and mushroom soup, a spoonful of green tea powder deepens the earthy, umami flavour of shiitake and adds a subtle grassy note that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is. Silky, elegant and surprisingly simple, it's the dish that proves savoury matcha deserves a place at dinner.
Why cook with matcha?
Beyond antioxidants, matcha carries natural glutamates — the same umami compounds that make mushrooms and dashi so savoury. A little sifted into the pan amplifies depth without overpowering. Use good matcha and add it off a rolling boil to keep it smooth, not bitter.
Ingredients
Serves 8.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 lb shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, thinly sliced
- 4 thyme sprigs, leaves picked
- 6 scallions, white/light green and dark green parts separated
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 tbsp matcha tea powder, sifted
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken (or vegetable) stock
- 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed
- 1 cup heavy cream
How to make matcha mushroom soup
- Sauté. Melt the butter and cook the mushrooms, thyme and white scallion parts with salt and pepper until caramelised, about 10 minutes. Set aside 1/2 cup mushrooms for garnish.
- Bloom the matcha. Sprinkle the sifted matcha over the mushrooms and stir for 2 minutes.
- Deglaze & simmer. Add the wine, scraping the pan, then the stock and spinach; simmer 10 minutes.
- Blend. Puree in batches until very smooth.
- Finish. Stir in the cream, season, and garnish with the reserved mushrooms and scallion greens.
Tips & variations
- Keep it vegetarian with vegetable stock and a knob of extra butter.
- Sift the matcha well — undissolved clumps taste bitter.
- A swirl of cream and a few crisp mushrooms make it restaurant-worthy.
Frequently asked questions
Does the soup taste like green tea?
Only subtly — matcha reads as savoury and earthy here, boosting umami rather than tasting like a latte.
Which matcha should I use for cooking?
Culinary-grade is fine for soups; a fresher, brighter matcha still gives the cleanest flavour.
Explore more savoury ideas: our matcha soba noodle salad.