Muhammad Nor Hanis with the full afternoon tea seat and some of the drinks served for the matcha collaboration.
MATCHA or green tea has caught the attention of many foodies in recent years, thanks to its unique blend of mildly bitter and savoury tastes.
Once a hugely popular drink in East Asia, matcha has made its way across continents and has been incorporated in many contemporary culinary concoctions.
At Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, W XYZ Bar is taking on a similar note by infusing green tea into its pastries and desserts for a matcha-themed afternoon tea set.
Savoury items include (from top left) Kaffir Lime Chicken Slider in Charcoal Bun, Teriyaki Skewers with Cured Vegetables, Smoked Salmon on Fried Mantou with Masabi Mayo and Cold Soba Noodles with Leek and Bonito Flakes.
The hotel is working with Niko Niko Matcha, a matcha and Japanese green tea provider in Malaysia, for its “Matcha Me Up!” promotion.
Aloft Sentral executive chef Muhammad Nor Hanis Nordin said several food-tasting sessions were done to perfect the recipes for the afternoon tea menu.
“For example, the cheesecake had to go through several iterations, where we tried incorporating many different fruits.
“We also played around with the ingredients such as flour proportions, to achieve the best texture and taste,” he said.
W XYZ Bar’s version of moist cheesecake is served with mango slices and drizzled with espresso syrup made from matcha.
To start off, diners can try the Cold Soba Noodles with Leek and Bonito Flakes.
Plenty of sweet treats await diners at the ‘Matcha Me Up!’ afternoon tea promotion at W XYZ Bar. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
Although served in a small saucer with some light broth, the noodles are quite filling.
To add a bit more protein to the menu, diners should try the Kaffir Lime Chicken Slider in Charcoal Bun.
The meat, tender and juicy, is wrapped in two crisp buns, which makes for a nice mix of texture and taste.
Other savoury items in the menu include Teriyaki Skewers with Cured Vegetables and Smoked Salmon on Fried Mantou with Masabi Mayo.
The selection of delectable cakes and pastries will surely make the afternoon tea session one to remember.
The Matcha Scones is served with a selection of spreads such as clotted cream, fruit jam and zesty lemon curd.
The sweet and sour spreads are sure to appeal to those who enjoy different taste profiles to go with their scones.
Another pastry guaranteed to be a hit is the Matcha Tiramisu in White Chocolate Cup.
Served in a small cup made of white chocolate, it doubles up as culinary art and delectable dessert, and the infusion of matcha helps balance out the sweetness of the tiramisu.
The Matcha Cream Puff with Tangerine Compote is another must-try.
W XYZ Bar does not disappoint with its selection of exquisitely crafted drinks either.
The Iced Dalgona Green Jack features a concoction of cold milk topped with matcha foam and infused with jackfruit flavour.
This creamy, sweet refreshment is the perfect thirst quencher on a hot afternoon in the capital city.
There is also Hot Matcha Latte if diners prefer a hot beverage.
The “Matcha Me Up!” afternoon tea is priced at RM168nett per set for two persons and available daily until Oct 1, from 3pm to 5pm.
W XYZ Bar, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, No.5, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2723 1188. Email: kulal.b&f@alofthotel.com) Business hours: 9am to midnight, daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
