Cream Penne with Used Tea Leaves — A Delicious Way to Enjoy Every Last Leaf
Hello everyone, I’m Keko, one of the online staff members 😊
After enjoying a warm cup of Japanese tea, what do you usually do with the tea leaves?
Many people simply throw them away, thinking they’ve already served their purpose.
But here’s a secret — those used tea leaves still hold plenty of flavor, nutrients, and aroma.
With a bit of creativity, they can become an ingredient for a brand-new dish!
Today, I’d love to share a recipe that turns leftover tea leaves into something delicious:
Cream Penne with Sencha Leaves — a sustainable and heartwarming meal that captures the true spirit of Japanese tea.
🍃 Why Eat Used Tea Leaves?
Japanese tea leaves are full of umami compounds like amino acids, fiber, and vitamin C —
most of which remain even after steeping.
By reusing them, you not only reduce waste but also honor the tea’s natural richness to the very end.
It’s a small but meaningful act of mottainai — the Japanese idea of cherishing what we have.
| 🥣 Ingredients (Serves 1) Used sencha tea leaves (after brewing): 1 tbsp (about 5g) Penne: 80g Bacon (cut into small strips): 3 slices (about 60g) Onion (thinly sliced): 1/4 (about 40g) Consommé granules: 1 tsp Water: 120ml Unsweetened soy milk: 150ml Heavy cream: 30ml Melting cheese: 30g Grated Parmesan cheese: 2 tsp Olive oil: 2 tsp Black pepper: a pinch Lemon juice: 1 tsp (optional) |
👩🍳 How to Make It
１、Lightly squeeze the tea leaves to remove excess water and sprinkle with lemon juice.
２、Heat olive oil in a pan and slowly cook the bacon over low heat until crisp and fragrant.
３、Add onions and sauté until translucent and sweet.
４、Pour in water and consommé, bring to a gentle boil, and add the penne. Cook for about 6 minutes.
５、Add soy milk and cream, simmer for another 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
６、Stir in melting cheese and Parmesan. Mix well.
７、Finally, add the used tea leaves, mix gently, and turn off the heat immediately.
８、Serve with a sprinkle of black pepper — and a touch of lemon juice if you like a refreshing note.
💡 Tips
Slowly render the bacon fat to infuse the sauce with rich flavor.
Add the tea leaves at the very end to preserve their aroma and color.
A hint of lemon softens any bitterness and gives the dish a bright finish.
🌿 A Sustainable Way to Enjoy Tea
In Japan, tea is not just a drink — it’s a way of life.
By giving new life to used tea leaves, we extend our appreciation for nature’s gift and practice mindful living.
You can also use leftover tea leaves in salads, rice dishes, or even cookies.
Every small effort adds up to a more sustainable, delicious, and thoughtful lifestyle.
So next time you brew a cup of tea, pause before throwing away the leaves —
they might be waiting to surprise you with another moment of flavor.