Matcha (抹茶), literally “powdered tea,” is a green tea made of top-quality tea leaves of camellia sinensis. The young leaves are shade-grown, then stone-ground into a delicate fine powder. Brought over from China, the plant has been around for 800 years in Japan. Buddhist monks drank this earthy green tea to center themselves during meditation. Over time, it became part of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha is also used as an ingredient in Wagashi (和菓子, traditional Japanese sweets), baked goods, pancakes, and ice cream. Its popularity in the U.S. and elsewhere has resulted in an inventive riff of the traditional drink, ranging from smoothies, to energy drinks, and photogenic vivid green high-caloric desserts.
What Is Matcha
Unlike regular green tea, matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves to prevent direct sunlight, which slows down growth and stimulates an increase in chlorophyll level, which turns the leaves into a darker shade of green. Only the most delicate tea buds are hand-picked, removing the veins and stems. The buds are then stone-ground to the fine bright green powder. While green tea is an infusion of tea leaves, matcha incorporates the entire leaf, resulting in a more concentrated source of nutrients and caffeine. Regardless of the grade, use it quickly after opening, as it’ll oxidize and lose flavor.
1 Tbsp matcha = 6 grams
1 tsp matcha = 2 grams
What Does It Taste
Matcha has a slightly bitter vegetal taste with an umami aftertaste. Depending on the quality and production, it can range in bitterness, smoothness, and umami.
Types/Varieties
Typically, there are two grades of matcha: Ceremonial or culinary grade. While there is no official definition of the two and is based on the companies’ subjective standards, the main difference is how they are used. The highest-quality ceremonial grade matcha is used for a tea ceremony and the culinary grade is for baking matcha desserts. Even within the ceremonial grade, there may be a few different levels. It’s really up to your budget, but my recommendation is to go with a ceremonial grade for drinks, such as traditional matcha tea drink or matcha late), and to go with the low-end ceremonial or culinary grade for baking desserts. Regardless of the grade, matcha offers the same nutritional benefits. The grade difference is about the processing style and taste. These grades do not exist in Japan; instead, the Japanese grade them on multiple factors. “Ceremonial” and “culinary” grades are terms that have caught on overseas.
How To Use
You could drink matcha in the traditional tea ceremony way or use it as an ingredient for desserts. While the Japanese tea ceremony called Sado (茶道) takes years of practice to master, you could pick up the basics. All you need is a tea bowl, whisk, and quality matcha.
Where To Buy
As matcha becomes a mainstream beverage outside of Japan, you’ll find countless varieties and brands of matcha out there. So I want to share my favorite brand of matcha powder (the most popular question!) and tips on how to get good quality matcha powder. You can also find a small tin or bag of matcha powder imported from Japan at Japanese grocery stores like Mitsuwa, Marukai, and Nijiya, or local tea shops.
What should I look for?
When it comes to matcha, it’s all about the quality. First, check the color. The powder should be a vibrant bright green color, not yellowish or brownish-green. The color indicates its quality and its proper storage and shipping. There should not be other ingredients such as sugar or natural flavorings. Also, check for the country of origin and expiry date. The texture of high-quality matcha should be silky smooth, like baby powder or eyeliner. If it feels coarse and gritty, it’s low quality. You could also look into where it was harvested. The regions famous for green tea are Kyoto, Shizuoka, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima prefectures.
Get a small size
When you purchase matcha powder, I strongly recommend getting a small tin, about 20-40 grams (0.7-1.4 oz), and do not buy a big value pack unless you own a tea shop or cafe. Even high-quality matcha will become dull with time, so consume it quickly. A small 20-40 gram tin of premium-quality matcha costs about $30-45 and up. I get this premium-quality matcha (40 g) from Ippodo, which costs $35. One cup of matcha latte would roughly cost $2.70 plus milk.
How To Store
Seal the package tightly and store the powder inside the can. Avoid storing in direct sunlight and areas with high temperature or humidity. The shelf life of an unopened package depends on how it is packaged. In general, high-quality (unopened) can last for six months. Use it up within 2-3 weeks of opening the package. I don’t recommend buying a huge package as it oxidizes quickly once opened and will lose that vibrant color and flavor. Even high-quality matcha will become dull with time, so consume it quickly.
Health Benefits
It is said that drinking a single cup of matcha is like drinking ten cups of regular green tea. By drinking it, you consume the whole leaf instead of an infusion. Since it is made with the best quality tea leaves, it offers more health benefits than green tea. Matcha is an antioxidant powerhouse and contains polyphenols and catechins. Antioxidants give us younger-looking skin, boost memory and concentration, increase energy levels, and prevent life-threatening diseases like cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps neutralize free radicals in the body. High in vitamin C, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber, it is also enjoyed to help maintain a healthy weight and burn fat. In addition, it can help produce calming, meditative effects, thanks to L-theanine, an amino acid that has been proven to reduce stress. It’s a welcome respite in our busy modern lifestyle.
Q: Does matcha contain caffeine?
Matcha does have caffeine, but unlike coffee, it is absorbed slower by our bodies because of L-Theanine in green tea. For that reason, drinking matcha provides longer-lasting, natural, and steady energy without the crashing effect on the system, making it a great alternative to coffee. If you’re caffeine sensitive, it might be best to drink decaffeinated green tea instead.
Q: Is it safe to drink matcha every day?
Matcha is safe to drink every day, but it may interact with prescription medication. If unsure, check with your doctor first. Green tea can decrease iron absorption from food, so it might be better to drink it after mealtime if you have iron deficiency.
Q: Why don’t I see many brands selling organic matcha?
You may notice that there aren’t many brands selling organic matcha. There are several reasons in addition to the hurdle of obtaining the organic certification; one is that organic fertilizers cannot provide enough nourishment to the shade-grown plant. Another reason is that the organic movement has not gained momentum like in the U.S. and Europe, as standard agricultural practices are already high.
Recipes Using Matcha
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