What is Matcha Tea and How to Make it at Home

The Japanese have been drinking matcha green tea for centuries and now it has gained popularity all around the world. 

Many people are choosing to drink this traditional beverage instead of coffee because they find that it has many health benefits, including improved energy levels, increased focus and concentration abilities, and contains a very high concentration of antioxidants.

Matcha tea is a powdered form of green tea that goes through a special harvesting and production process. To find out more about green tea you see my post on Types of True Tea.

The powdered tea can be whisked into hot water and a sweetener added to produce a warm drink. You can also add a frothed milk to create a matcha latte, or mix with cold water and ice for a refreshing iced matcha drink. 

The rich taste and aroma provide stimulation to the brain, which in turn helps boost your mood. The mild caffeine content also gives an extra energy kick for those long days at work or school when all we need is just a little bit of help getting through our day without feeling sluggish later on.

The composition in your cup may seem simple but there’s a lot going on behind its healthy facade!

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How is Matcha Grown

Matcha tea is produced from the same plant as all true teas, the camellia sinensis plant. The growing and production process is different however. 

The tea leaves are grown in shady areas in minimal light to increase the chlorophyll and preserve the nutrient content. The fields of tea are actually covered, usually with giant black tarps, for parts of the day during the last few weeks of growing to reduce the exposure to light.

When they are ready for harvest, only the top leaves of the plant are picked. They are then lightly steamed and dried. 

Once the drying process has finished, the leaves are destemed and deveined and crushed or ground into a powder to produce matcha tea.

How to prepare Matcha Tea

Preparing and drinking Matcha tea is an art. To get the perfect matcha flavor without any bitterness start with good quality matcha powder and follow the steps below.

Matcha tea is prepared by whisking the tea powder with hot water, and then whisking more vigorously to create a froth.

1.Matcha tea powder clumps easily so begin by sifting 1 tsp of matcha powder into a small bowl.

2. Add 2 ounces of hot water. If using water from a just boiled kettle, it is best to let the water cool slightly. Water that is too hot can cause the tea to have a bitter taste.

3. Whisk the tea in a back and forth or zig zag motion. This back and forth whisking produces the froth on top of the tea.

4. Add an additional 5-6 ounces of hot water and whisk until foamy. Alternatively you can add 5 to 6 ounces of milk to make a matcha latte.

5. Pour the tea into a small cup and add a sweetener such as honey, if desired. Enjoy!

The most important thing about preparing this type of tea is following instructions on how to dissolve the matcha tea.

Matcha tea can clump up because it is a powder. For this reason, it is very important to sift and then whisk the tea powder with water for a minimum of 20 seconds in order to create a smooth and consistent drink.

Benefits of Drinking Matcha

Matcha tea contains more caffeine than regular brewed green tea, but less than coffee. While coffee will quickly give you the boost you are looking for, matcha green tea takes a little longer. Typically the caffeine from coffee takes about 15 minutes to reach its full effect, the caffeine from matcha tea takes as much as 30 minutes.

Matcha also contains an amino acid called l-theanine, which has a calming effect on the body. Like coffee, matcha tea will reduce the feeling of fatigue but it will also make you more alert.

Matcha is rich in antioxidants and nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), C, E and K; minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium and zinc and catechins such as epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) which are believed to be powerful cancer fighters. Read more about the health benefits of matcha green tea in this study from PubMed Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review

Where to Buy Matcha Tea 

Matcha is sold everywhere these days. It can be found at most natural food stores, Asian markets, and online shops that specialize in Japanese green teas. It can also be found in supermarkets and on Amazon.

True matcha tea is a bit on the pricey side because of the time and care that goes into producing a good quality matcha. There are cheaper versions on the market usually labeled “powdered green tea” or “powdered tea” but these teas aren’t produced with the same care as true matcha. 

Why is Matcha Tea So Popular?

Matcha tea is a natural antioxidant powerhouse that contains less caffeine than coffee or black teas, making it an excellent drink for people who want the benefits of being alert without feeling overstimulated.

There are many ways you can use matcha powder; add it to your favorite smoothie or espresso drink, make iced matcha lattes with milk or even add it to your baking for a little antioxidant boost. Why not experiment to find your perfect matcha treat today?