Matcha, which literally means “powder tea”, is a finely milled green tea powder. This treasured drink is an integral part of the culture of Japan, and is perhaps best known for its role in the traditional tea ceremony.
Matcha is distinguished by its elegant aroma and its exquisite balance of flavors, combining sweetness, umami, and astringency. The higher the grade, the stronger the umami, the more pronounced the sweetness, and the more vivid the color. Matcha is further renowned for putting the drinker in a state of calm relaxation.
The finest varieties of matcha are made from young tea leaves harvested in the spring. These young, tender leaves are shaded before picking, producing a tea that is rich in umami with a beautiful green color.
Compared to sencha green tea, matcha contains more of all the same vitality boosting components. Consuming the whole leaf in powdered form means the entire range of beneficial nutrients is taken into the body, including vitamin C, minerals, dietary fiber, and catechins. What’s more, the versatility of matcha means that you don’t have to drink it to gain the benefits. Its powdered form means that matcha can be easily used in a whole range of recipes.
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Packaging options
Available in 30g can, 1kg and 20kg carton
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Making
Only the flesh of the leaves is used to make matcha in Japan, with the stems and any other hard parts discarded. This is to produce tea with a more refined flavor. The differences in quality derive in part from the timing of the harvest, which ranges from spring to autumn. In the last few weeks before picking, the tender young tea leaves are shielded from direct sunlight. This increases the amino acids and chlorophyll, which deepens the umami and also gives the leaves a more vivid green color.
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How to use
Matcha is the most versatile of all teas. Because matcha is a powder, it can be used in many ways other than just as a tea to drink. As a cooking ingredient, the use of matcha is limited only by your imagination. As well as using matcha as the main ingredient in drinks such as straight tea, lattes, and smoothies, you can also add it to desserts and other sweet treats such as ice cream, chocolate, and biscuits. You might even be inspired to try it in savory dishes.
Matcha is available in a number of grades. The highest quality matcha is intended for use in tea ceremonies, where the tea is served straight so that its elegant taste and aroma may be properly appreciated. The more basic grade of matcha can still be enjoyed as a drink, but it has a more pronounced bitterness than higher grades, so is generally more suited to baking or cooking.
