Matcha Monster
“Your fish is TOO stinky! Your rice is TOO sticky!” Could this Japanese monster be any more picky . . . ?!?
*B-Side AUDIO stories are now included in your monthly newsletter. Click the play button above to listen along, but don’t forget to scroll all the way down to check out this month’s recipe for MONSTROUSLY good matcha, some googly-eyed illustrations, and see your monthly B-Side reading recommendation . . .
Do you remember the lovable, friendly (and teensy bit greedy) Chai Monster?
(Click the button below if you haven’t had a chance to read it . . .)
Well . . .
This November 1st, B-Side brings you the next story in the series - Matcha Monster! Another little creature who likes to slurp up too many cups of tea.
Chai Monster loved his spicy chai, but Matcha Monster hails from Japan where the most popular tea of choice is green matcha. And, unlike Chai Monster, Matcha Monster isn’t greedy. He is, however, a very picky eater. Even tempura is no temptation! Can his best friend help Matcha Monster discover the variety of fantastic flavors Japan has to offer?
This story also includes a recipe, so sit down and enjoy reading with a steamy cup of your very own monstrously good matcha . . .
Matcha Monster
By caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to Courtney & Donna – a reminder of your adventures in Japan. I know you loved tasting the local dishes! (Except, perhaps, those googly-eyed fishes . . .)
Dear Reader,
Have you ever tasted matcha green tea?
Try something new and you’ll love it! You’ll see.
In Japan, green tea is enjoyed by all.
The old, and the young.
The short, and the tall.
It’s made with green matcha, a powder so fine.
When you taste your first cup it is truly divine!
Here is a recipe that just can’t be beat.
A green matcha latte . . . oh, what a sweet treat!
“Matcha” Latte (for Mini Monsters)
*This “matcha” latte uses moringa as a caffeine-free alternative, making it healthy for little monsters to drink!
1 tsp. moringa powder
1 tsp. hot water
1 cup coconut milk (or milk of your choice)
Sweetener to taste (honey/maple syrup/agave/etc.)
Add moringa, sweetener, and hot water to a small bowl and whisk until no clumps remain. Heat milk in a saucepan. Add moringa mixture to the milk when heated and whisk together until green. Pour into a mug and enjoy!
My friend is a MONSTER.
He’s fuzzy and green.
The friendliest monster that’s ever been seen.
I swear not a bone in his body is mean.
He loves playing games.
He’s super at sharing.
He’s got plenty of jokes.
Plus, he’s cuddly and caring.
He has no sharp teeth.
Just a tongue that LOVES slurping.
And a round jelly belly that “GLURPS”
when he’s burping.
You see . . .
He burbs quite a lot,
from his one pesky problem.
He makes tea disappear!
Like a gobbling green goblin.
The brew he loves best is a tea that is green.
He drinks far more matcha than I’ve ever seen!
It’s solely green tea Matcha Monster slurps up.
And he chirps up when glurping a big steamy cup.
He shoos away supper, sipping tea night and day.
Any meal, any snack, he just shoves out the way.
He’s not at all greedy.
He’s simply too picky!
And to get him to try out new tastes is quite tricky.
I think it would help if he tried out new things.
And saw all the joy other flavours could bring . . .
So, I offer him sushi, with rice nice and sticky.
Monster give’s it one look, and exclaims, “EW, how icky!”
Instead, he swigs tea ‘til his fur’s green and bright.
‘Til he practically glows in the dark of the night.
I know Monster needs veggies.
Some eggs, or some fish.
I’d be happy for him to try one single dish.
So, I whisk eggs and flour to pile up a platter.
Of okonomiyaki, a crispy fried batter.
“It’s pancakes!” I smile. He’d be nuts to refuse.
But, he keeps sipping matcha.
Oh, what is the use!
I try crispy tempura.
Some curry with spice.
Since, he seems to love slurping, I appeal to his vice.
“You can SLURP up some ramen! Just give it a taste.”
But he pushes the bowl to the side – such a waste!
The noodles so tender.
The veggies so steamy.
Who in this world would not find RAMEN dreamy?!?!
I try to insist that he taste more than tea.
Matcha Monster just pouts.
“Oh, please let me be.
I will not eat your katsu!
I won’t eat your rice!
And I doubt that that googly-eyed fish would taste nice.
No broccoli tempura, or ramen for me.
I just like the taste of my matcha green tea!”
Of course, he is stuck in the rut of his diet.
He’d love this dish or that dish, if only he’d try it.
I try serving him soba with seaweed on top.
But, he dumps out the noodles with one messy GLOP.
I make him sashimi, with torched strips of eel.
When I pass it to Monster, he lets out a SQUEAL!
So, I make him taiyaki, a popular dish.
A cake made with beans and then shaped like a fish.
He takes one big sniff, and shoos it away.
“Why can’t I just sip on matcha all day?
There is not one dish you’ll convince me to eat.
Nothing salty, nor tangy, or spicy and sweet.”
But, I know there’s a dish I will finally find.
To tingle his taste buds, and open his mind.
I make up a feast I know he’ll find dreamy.
A whole boat of sushi, with thick sliced sashimi.
Fresh pickled ginger.
Wasabi so GREEN.
The finest side salad of seaweed I’ve seen.
The tenderest tuna.
The most eggy tamaki.
Plump, pink raw salmon.
All washed down with saki.
“EEEEEWWWWWW!” he just wails, at the sight of raw fish.
I guess that sashimi just isn’t his dish . . .
I try shabu shabu, meats dipped in a pot.
Served with some sauce, once it’s cooked nice and hot.
Sharing a hotpot is usually fun.
But, he won’t take one bite.
He insists that he’s done!
I decide to try miso, for something more plain.
“Tofu?” says Monster. “You MUST be insane.”
“It’s silky and salty,” I try to explain.
But, all Monster does is just fuss and complain.
“Your fish is too stinky.
Your rice is too sticky.”
He is truly a monster who is monstrously picky.
The food in Japan, oh I swear, it’s so good!
And, I’d make Monster eat every dish if I could.
Instead, he will not take one gulp, or one bite.
And I fear there’s no way I can win this food fight.
UNTIL . . .
I realize dessert is my FAVOURITE to eat.
Perhaps my friend Monster just needs something sweet?
Japanese cheesecake is surely enticing.
And pastries with anko, a sweet red bean icing.
Kohi zeri is lovely! A sweet coffee jelly.
How could he not want to fill up his belly?
After all of the savoury wasabi and soy.
Perhaps, a dessert will bring Monster some joy.
I lay out a table with every sweet dish.
Not one udon noodle, or googly-eyed fish.
Just sugar stuffed dumplings, and puddings so creamy.
With jellies and cakes - so delectably dreamy.
At last, Monster pauses from taking a sip.
There’s a glint in his eyes, and some drool on his lip.
He’s a little unsure, but he puts down his tea.
Then he chooses the dish that’s as green as a tree.
What did he see with his wandering eye . . . ?
What is this treat even Monster will try . . . ?
It’s . . .
A bowlful of ICE CREAM -scooped ten scoopfuls high!
“Hmmmm, . . .” mumbles Monster, and I pass him a spoon.
He takes one small lick . . .
I watch Monster swoon.
He fills up his belly to the size of the moon!
“Yay!” I exclaim. “I finally gotcha.”
Of course he likes ice cream – it’s flavoured with MATCHA!
It’s only one dish, but it feels like success.
The matcha green ice cream was just the first test.
Now he’s tried something new, and he liked it bunch.
So, he asks, rather coy:
“Is there something for lunch . . .?”
I bring us some ramen, some sushi, and eel.
We share every bite of a mountainous meal.
Fresh chicken katsu.
A bounty of jellies.
Every new dish is a dance for our bellies.
Seaweed!
Sashimi!
He likes every taste.
And there isn’t a crumb on our plates left to waste.
Feeling quite stuffed after every bite chewed.
I bring us a pot of some tea, freshly brewed.
Monster lights up!
“Is that what I think?”
And I pour us two cups of some matcha to drink.
His green fur is glowing.
His slurping tongue sings.
“Cheers,” we exclaim. “To trying new things!”
Now you see reader,
why this monster’s my friend.
But . . .
There’s more matcha to slurp.
So, I must say . . .
“THE END!”
Recommended Reading: Matcha Monster is inspired by another creature who doesn’t like to try new things, especially anything GREEN!
Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss, is a story starring Sam-I-Am who tries to convince a grumpy neighbour to try something new. But, green eggs and ham are WEIRD to this stranger, who won’t eat them at all! Not with foxes, in boxes, on boats, or with goats. Not here, nor there, or anywhere. Can Sam-I-Am convince him to try just one bite?
Both Matcha Monster and Green Eggs and Ham are the perfect bedtime stories for picky eaters. Plus, they are both tales filled with tongue-tingling rhymes and quirky cartoons.
As always, thanks so much for supporting B-Side Stories. Whether you are in Canada, India, or maybe Japan, I’m excited to see these little stories reaching to all kinds of new places.
Stay tuned for next month’s B-Side Story, an extra special holiday edition featuring another VERY, MERRY monster . . .
Happy Reading!
