Conventional wisdom has taught us that few colors are less appetizing than blue, owing to its scarcity in nature, and especially on the dinner plate. Intuitively avoiding foods that might be moldy, poisonous, or otherwise contaminated, centuries of visual training are hard to deny when confronted with foreign fare. And yet, precisely because such comestibles are so rare, we find ourselves impossibly compelled by these vibrant sights. Splashed across Instagram like edible sapphires, blue eats and drinks dazzle as much as they confound the casual voyeur.

Blue matcha is the culprit behind this azure trend, although the name itself is rather misleading. Made from powdered butterfly pea flowers, it’s an herbal, caffeine-free tisane that shares only a similar brewing method and comparable similar notes of delicate green tea. Far more restrained than the sometimes bitter green brew, the flavor may disappoint matcha aficionados but delight those looking for a less abrasive midday pick-me-up.

Raw food crafters in particular have taken a shine to this blue-hued fairy dust, stretching scant supplies to dye scores of unbaked cheesecakes and other sweet treats. What it lacks in bold flavor, it makes up for in vibrancy; a small pinch can go a long way as a natural food coloring agent.

Applying heat or acid creates a variable situation. Particularly acidic environments will coax the typically cerulean hue to shift toward a the purple family, which can be a fun party trick, but less desirable for a true blue treat. Double up on the dose, avoid citrus pairings or yogurt-based batters, and keep oven temperatures on the down-low for the most royal results.

Sweets and snacks are not the only striking applications for this brilliant blue pigment. Thais have been staining white rice with the raw blossoms since the beginning of recorded history, long before their lavish dishes could go viral on social media. Taking a hint from tradition, one of my favorite ways to elevate the average noodle is now my signature “blu-don bowl,” a bold new spin on the popular bowl-in-one, topped with any variety of vegetables, proteins, and sauces I can pull out of the fridge. It all magically tastes good together, no matter what odd assortment is on hand, tied together by the beautiful strands of chewy udon that shine with an otherworldly teal tint, all from a quick dip in boiling blue matcha tea.

As the days grow warmer though, I look to this cool blue powder for a more cooling experience than the typical hot preparation might provide. Blended ice, blueberries, and a tiny touch of mint form the base for a truly refreshing frappe, far more appealing than anything Starbucks might churn out. Lighter than a milkshake yet more substantial than a mere iced latte, it navigates the fine line in between with grace. Though blue matcha is still something of a rarity on the mainstream market, if the current trends are any indication of its popularity, the powder should soon be staining a brave new world of sweets and savories near you.

Yield: 1 Serving

Blue Moon Frappe

Name: Blue Moon Frappe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Teaspoon Blue Matcha; 2 Tablespoons Warm Water; 1/2 Cup Vanilla Non-Dairy Milk; 1/4 Cup Blueberries; 6 - 8 Ice Cubes; 2 - 3 Teaspoons Light Agave Nectar; 1/4 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract

Blended ice, blueberries, and a tiny touch of mint form the base for a truly refreshing frappe, far more appealing than anything Starbucks might churn out. Lighter than a milkshake yet more substantial than a mere iced latte, it navigates the fine line in between with grace.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 Teaspoon Blue Matcha
2 Tablespoons Warm Water
1/2 Cup Vanilla Non-Dairy Milk
1/4 Cup Blueberries
6 - 8 Ice Cubes
2 - 3 Teaspoons Light Agave Nectar
1/4 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract

Instructions

Whisk together the blue matcha and warm water, stirring vigorously until the powder has dissolved. Pour the mixture into your blender along with all of the remaining ingredients, adding more ice or sweetener based on your preference.
Puree on high speed to crush the ice into a velvety smooth blend, with no lumps or chunks remaining. Serve immediately before it begins to melt!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 499Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 8g

May 22, 2017January 24, 2026

Hannah (BitterSweet)30 Comments

Short and Sweet

Good things come in small packages. Navigating the world as a vertically challenged person, this particular truism is one that I hold close to heart. Height, or lack thereof, should never be viewed as an obstacle, but rather celebrated for all the unique benefits it provides. Leg room is never an issue when flying, even on a cut-rate coach ticket, for example, and it’s effortless to slip in (or out) of a crowd. I’d like to think that a smaller size means that all the good things inside are merely condensed and intensified to fit, amplified into a more pure form. Although that can’t be said for all people, that’s certainly the case for strawberry shortcake.

Modern interpretations of this sweet biscuit sandwich stretch the definition, often towering higher than a modest layer cake, but at its core, the concept remains short and sweet. Today, I’m here to push the boundaries further, albeit in the opposite direction. Flattening out the assembly into one thin plank, this confectionery rendition measures less than a centimeter tall, dazzling with flavor rather than lofty aspirations.

Encased in darkly caramelized toffee, crispy quinoa stands in for cake or biscuits, adding just the right cereal note to support the star players. Strawberries, dried and sliced, are both beautiful and flavorful; removing the excess water creates a far sweeter treat than fresh fruit, while simultaneously extending their shelf life to suit any season. Whipped cream is out of the picture, handily replaced by a luscious drizzle of white chocolate instead.

Although shortness often carried negative associations, like being short-tempered or getting short shrift, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t celebrate the more compact things (and people) among us. There’s no need to drone on and turn this into a long post; let’s keep it short and sweet, starting with a morsel of strawberry shortcake toffee, shall we?

Yield: Makes 12 - 16 Servings

Strawberry Shortcake Toffee

Reimagine strawberry shortcake as deeply caramelized toffee, with crispy quinoa standing in for cake or biscuits. Strawberries, dried and sliced, are both beautiful and flavorful; removing the excess water creates a far sweeter treat than fresh fruit, while simultaneously extending their shelf life to suit any season. Whipped cream is out of the picture, handily replaced by a luscious drizzle of white chocolate instead.

Ingredients

1/2 Ounce Freeze-Dried Strawberries, Divided
1/3 Cup Crispy Quinoa Cereal or Crispy Rice Cereal
3/4 Cup Vegan Butter
1 Cup Demerara or Turbinado Sugar
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3 Ounces (1/2 Cup Chips or Finely Chopped Pieces) Vegan White Chocolate, Melted

Instructions

Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, lightly grease, and sprinkle half of the freeze-dried strawberries along with all of the crispy cereal over the bottom, as evenly as possible. Set aside.
Grind the remaining dried strawberries down to a fine powder in a coffee or spice grinder. Combine it with the vegan butter, sugar, maple syrup, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan and set over moderate heat. Stir just to moisten all of the sugar, and then keep your spatula out of the mixture until the very end. Instead, swirl the pan gently to mix the contents, which will help prevent premature crystal formation.
Allow the vegan butter to melt and sugar to dissolve before clipping a thermometer to the side of the pan. You’ll want to bring the sugar to a steady boil, until it turns a deep amber brown color and reaches 300 degrees, which is also known as the “hard crack stage” of candy making.
Turn off the heat, carefully stir in the vanilla as it may sputter angrily, and immediately pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Try to pour it evenly over the goodies within so as not to displace the goodies at the bottom.
Let cool completely before snapping into more manageable pieces. Drizzle with melted white chocolate, and let set once more before handling. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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