These Matcha Coconut Gummies are the jade-colored jigglers you need in your life.
No, these are not little hand soaps.
Like many food obsessives, I’m crushing hard on matcha, coconut, and gelatin these days—and not just ’cause they’re good for you. There’s been plenty written about how these ingredients are antioxidant- and nutrient-rich “superfoods” that help fight inflammation, boost metabolism, promote gut and joint health, and protect against a host of diseases. (Want to learn more? Here’s a great article about gelatin, and one about matcha.)
But let’s get real: I didn’t make these green-tea-infused gummies because I think they’ll turn this frumptastically frazzled mommy into a supermodel with lustrously thick hair, dewy skin, and a killer gut-lining. For me, any benefit from the purported health-boosting properties of this stuff is just the cherry on top.
The real reason I made these jiggly treats? Because matcha, coconut, and gelatin combine deliciously. Plus, my Matcha Coconut Gummies turn out super cute with the right molds. And sometimes, cute trumps all.
I mean, COME ON. They even look like emojis, for cryin’ out loud.
What is matcha?
If you’ve never tasted matcha (which is a special type of finely milled green tea powder), try before you buy. Go order a matcha drink at your local hipster coffee/tea hangout, and take a sip or three before deciding whether to drop a small fortune on a fancy tin of green powder. (Good quality matcha ain’t cheap, people!)
Matcha mixed with hot water can have a grassy, vegetal flavor loaded with umami; while the taste is not for everyone, I—and most people I know—happen to adore it. I prefer matcha to coffee. When it’s blended into a latte drink, the grassy matcha flavor is muted, and you end up with a tasty, creamy beverage that gives me a calm alertness. Personally, I dig this brand of matcha and this brand, but I also buy cans of matcha at my favorite tea shop and at Japanese markets.
What kind of gelatin should you use?
Make sure you procure a high-quality gelatin derived from grass fed animals. (I like this one.) You are what you eat, remember? Also, take care to buy gelatin and not collagen peptides for this recipe. Why? Because collagen peptides won’t gel, which means your gummies won’t firm up. Ever.
Can you make these gummies sweeter?
Feel free to add more or less honey based on your preference. I like my gummies just mildly sweet, so a single tablespoon of honey is the perfect amount for me. Henry, on the other hand, prefers gummies with no added sweetener whatsoever. And my nine-year-old wishes I’d dump in the whole honey jar.
Don’t like coconut?
You can swap out the coconut cream for your favorite non-dairy milk or Whole30-friendly creamer. Just remember to keep the ratio of gelatin-to-liquid consistent.
No molds?
If you aren’t using molds, it’s not necessary to add as much gelatin. You can decrease the amount of gelatin to 2 tablespoons to produce a less-gummy, more-Jell-O-like texture. But if you’re using molds, stick with the amount of gelatin listed in the recipe.
What do you do with the extra matcha?
I’m glad you asked! You can make my Cold Matcha Latte and No-Bake Matcha Cheesecake!
The blender makes a difference!
After testing this recipe a bunch of different ways, I can tell you that your choice of blender will affect the look of your final product slightly—but it’s not a deal breaker. If you use a high-powered blender, the gummies will be a uniform, creamy-green color throughout. But if you use an immersion blender or a less powerful blender, your gummies may separate a bit and settle before it solidifies. Not a big deal—and hey, it all ends up in the same place (your mouth!)—but something to keep in mind.
Makes 12 gummies (I usually eat 2 at a time!)
Ingredients:
- 2½ tablespoons gelatin (use only 2 tablespoons if you are not using molds)
- 2 cups coconut water, divided
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, and you can adjust the amount according to your taste)
- ¼ cup coconut cream (or the hardened stuff that floats to the top of a can of chilled full-fat coconut milk)
- 2 teaspoons matcha
Equipment:
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Large bowl or 1000 mL beaker
- Small saucepan
- High-speed blender or immersion blender
- 3 silicone ice molds or an 8-inch square baking dish
Method:
Got yourself some cute silicone molds? Good.
Pour 1 cup of coconut water in a bowl or beaker, and sprinkle the gelatin on top. (My coconut water is pink because I used Harmless Coconut Water. (Here’s why it’s pink, in case you’re curious.) No biggie if yours is clear or colored; the gummies will turn out green regardless.)
The gelatin will take about 5 minutes to bloom (or soften).
In the meantime, heat the remaining 1 cup of coconut water (and honey, if you’re using it) over medium heat…
…until steaming, but not boiling.
Pour the hot coconut water into the container with the bloomed gelatin. Add the coconut cream…
…and matcha.
The brighter and greener the matcha, the higher the quality!
Blend with a high speed blender…
…or an immersion blender.
Taste the matcha to see if it is sweet enough for your taste and adjust as needed. (Remember: the jigglers will taste less sweet when chilled.) Pour the matcha mixture into silicone molds or into an 8-inch square baking dish.
If you’re using silicone molds, place them on a rimmed baking sheet before adding the liquid. That way, you can transfer them to the fridge without the molds flopping around and spilling.
Chill the gummies in the fridge for at least 2 hours or until they’ve solidified. Then, pop them out!
You can keep these gummies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but I bet you’ll finish ’em off before then.
They’re super-cute and tasty no matter if they’re two-toned and speckled…
…or creamy green!
The color and shine remind me of my favorite jade necklace, which I wear pretty much ALL THE TIME because it gives me superpowers. Really.
See?
Then again, maybe I derive my powers from matcha and gelatin. And emojis.
Got extra matcha? Make these other nomtastic recipes:
Wanna check out the replay of me making the gummies on my Facebook Live broadcast (recorded on April 12, 2017)? You’ll also get a sneak peek at the two new Instant Pot models, the IP-DUO60 Plus (9-in-1 ) and the Instant Pot Ultra!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!
PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD
Matcha Coconut Gummies
Ingredients
- 2½ tablespoons gelatin use only 2 tablespoons if you are not using molds
- 2 cups coconut water divided
- 1 tablespoon honey optional, and you can adjust the amount according to your taste
- ¼ cup coconut cream or the hardened stuff that floats to the top of a can of chilled full-fat coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons matcha
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of coconut water in a bowl or beaker, and sprinkle the gelatin on top. The gelatin will take about 5 minutes to bloom (or soften).
- In the meantime, heat the remaining 1 cup of coconut water (and honey, if you’re using it) over medium heat until steaming, but not boiling.
- Pour the hot coconut water into the container with the bloomed gelatin. Add the coconut cream and matcha.
- Blend with a high speed blender or an immersion blender.
- Taste the matcha to see if it is sweet enough for your taste and adjust as needed. (Remember: the jigglers will taste less sweet when chilled.)
- Pour the matcha mixture into silicone molds or into an 8-inch square baking dish.
- If you’re using silicone molds, place them on a rimmed baking sheet before adding the liquid. That way, you can transfer them to the fridge without the molds flopping around and spilling.
- Chill the gummies in the fridge for at least 2 hours or until they’ve solidified. Then, pop them out!
- You can keep these gummies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but I bet you’ll finish ’em off before then.
Video
Notes
- If you’ve never tasted matcha (which is a special type of finely milled green tea powder), try before you buy. Go order a matcha drink at your local hipster coffee/tea hangout, and take a sip or three before deciding whether to drop a small fortune on a fancy tin of green powder. Personally, I dig this brand of matcha, but I also buy cans of matcha at my favorite tea shop and at Japanese markets.
- Make sure you procure a high-quality gelatin derived from grass fed animals. (I like this one.) Also, take care to buy gelatin and not collagen peptides for this recipe, because collagen peptides won’t gel, which means your gummies won’t firm up.
- Feel free to add more or less honey based on your preference.
- Don’t like coconut? You can swap out the coconut cream for your favorite non-dairy milk or Whole30-friendly creamer. Just remember to keep the ratio of gelatin-to-liquid consistent.
- If you aren’t using molds, it’s not necessary to add as much gelatin. You can decrease the amount of gelatin to 2 tablespoons to produce a less-gummy, more-Jell-O-like texture. But if you’re using molds, stick with the amount of gelatin listed in the recipe.
- Your choice of blender will affect the final outcome slightly. If you use a high-powered blender, the gummies will be a uniform, creamy-green color throughout. But if you use an immersion blender or a less powerful blender, your gummies may separate a bit and settle before it solidifies. Not a big deal, but something to keep in mind.
