Ultimate Guide to Matcha

Having grown in popularity around the world, Japan’s beloved green tea drink , matcha, is becoming a favourite for many. We take a look at what matcha is, the benefits it offers and how you can use it!

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea . For centuries, matcha has been enjoyed in Japan; first by the nobility and later becoming a drink the whole population consumed regularly. In more recent years, matcha has seen a boom in popularity across the world, with many opting to drink it dues to its health benefits .

How is Matcha Made?

Matcha is made from tea leaves that have been specially grown. The tea plant used for matcha is shade-grown, which helps to enhance the chlorophyll production, which is what gives the matcha its bright green colour . When ready, the leaves are picked before being steamed and dried. They will then be ground into a fine powder . Traditionally, this would have been done on a grinding stone, but now it will usually be produced using faster, modern grinding machinery.

What is Matcha Used For?

As well as being used to make matcha tea, because it comes in powder form, there are many other ways in which matcha can be used . For example, as well as making tea, you can use it to make lattes, milkshakes and smoothies. Matcha can also be used as an ingredient and flavouring in many foods, such as cake, ice cream and mochi.

Grades of Matcha

If you are looking to buy matcha from a Japanese supermarket , then it is important to know about the different grades available. There are three main grades of matcha :- Ceremonial grade- Premium grade- Cooking grade

Ceremonial Grade

Ceremonial grade matcha is the best . It is created to be drunk as matcha tea – free from additional ingredients, such as sweetener or milk. Don’t use this kind for baking or lattes. Ceremonial grade is the purest matcha, using the highest quality tea leaves and the best grinding equipment. It will be the most expensive.

Premium Grade

This is your day-to-day matcha; not as good as ceremonial grade, but better tasting than cooking grade. It is also cheaper than ceremonial grade , so it is more accessible for everyday drinking.

Cooking Grade

Cooking grade, also known as basic grade matcha, is intended to be used in cooking rather than drinking. You can still make tea from it, but you’ll probably need to use a bit more powder and add in sugar, as it is made to be more bitter than a ceremonial grade matcha.The price you pay for matcha will depend on the grade you choose, so ceremonial grade matcha will be considerably more expensive than cooking grade. However, there is a good reason for this, as the quality of the product is quite different. Think about it in terms of wine; you probably wouldn’t drink a cooking wine and would expect to pay a lot more for a quality bottle.

Benefits of Matcha

Matcha is believed to have a lot of health benefits , including:- Promoting weight loss.- Lowering cholesterol.- Reducing signs of ageing.- Boosting metabolism. - Providing nutrients.- Aiding the digestive system.- Full of antioxidants.You can find out more about the health benefits of matcha , and the science behind it, in our previous blog post.

How to Use Matcha

There are now hundreds of ways in which you can make use of matcha, with drinks and desserts being the more common options. However, the original way for matcha to be used was during the tea ceremony.

Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony has been carried out for centuries, following Buddhist principles, with a focus on purity, tranquillity, harmony and respect. In a traditional tea ceremony, one person would brew the tea, following a ritual which honours the guests. For the tea ceremony, ceremonial grade matcha will be used, alongside traditional tools.

How to Make Matcha Tea

You can recreate a tea ceremony at home if you have the right tools. You will need:- Matcha powder - Small sieve- Matcha bowl- Bamboo whisk- Teaspoon- Hot water1. Using a teaspoon and small sieve, sift 1-2 tsp of matcha powder into a traditional matcha bowl . For the most authentic tea ceremony, ceremonial matcha should be used, but premium is fine if you cannot afford it!2. Add hot water to the bowl, so that it is three-quarters full. The water should be hot rather than boiling . 3. Use the bamboo whisk to mix the powder and water together. Stir vigorously in a zig-zag, making the tea frothy. 4. Enjoy your matcha tea! If tea isn’t for you, then alongside tea powder, we have a wide range of other matcha products here at Oriental Mart, including biscuits and mochi !