A Manual for Crafting the Ideal Matcha

A Manual for Crafting the Ideal Matcha


# The Delight of Everyday Matcha: A Personal Insight

I enjoy matcha at least once daily. Not in the morning – typically in the afternoon, as a way to pause and relish the small moments in life. It’s invigorating, loaded with antioxidants, and absolutely scrumptious. It transports me back to when we resided in Japan, where I tried to slow down and appreciate the changing seasons despite being in the ever-bustling Tokyo.

## Matcha Green Tea

Matcha is taking the world by storm – from matcha lattes to cakes, breads, ice creams, croissants, popcorn, and cookies – there appears to be no limit to the global fascination with matcha-flavored items. It’s no wonder that matcha is the top favorite flavor of sweets in Japan. From the traditional tea ceremony to more laid-back lattes in trendy cafes, matcha is a vital part of Japanese culture.

**Matcha green tea is the truest representation of this.** I yearn for the matcha culture in Japan. I never realized how much matcha green tea I consumed until we departed! From twist-cap cold matcha from convenience stores to adorable matcha cafes, I indulged in so much matcha that I’m astonished I didn’t turn green.

## What is Matcha?

Matcha is a powdered green tea derived from dried green tea leaves. The powdered tea originates from shade-grown leaves and contains no stems or veins. The color of matcha is strikingly vibrant green due to exceptionally high chlorophyll levels.

## What Does Matcha Taste Like?

Matcha presents a sweet, vegetal grassy flavor with a touch of nuttiness and mild bitter notes. It’s like an elevated version of green tea!

## Is Matcha Good for You?

Absolutely! Green tea is known for its antioxidants, but matcha is on another level when it comes to health benefits, as you ingest the entire tea leaf. The antioxidants in matcha aid in lowering the risk of heart disease, enhancing metabolism, and reducing blood pressure.

## Does Matcha Have Caffeine?

Matcha contains more caffeine than standard green tea and is roughly equivalent to coffee. Unlike coffee, it doesn’t induce a jittery effect because matcha includes a unique amino acid (L-Theanine) that moderates the release of caffeine and promotes a sense of calming relaxation.

## Which Brand Should I Buy?

If you intend to drink your matcha with just water, opt for ceremonial grade – we recommend [Ippodo brand from Japan](https://amzn.to/36qyvcH).

If you prefer your matcha mixed with milk or sweetener and plan to use it in recipes, culinary matcha is more economical and gets the job done. [Ito En culinary matcha](https://amzn.to/33tX4Ux) is a great option – I love their bottled cold green tea, so it stands to reason that their culinary matcha is excellent as well.

## Culinary vs Ceremonial Matcha Powder

Not all matcha is equal and it can be somewhat perplexing. Generally, the pricier the matcha, the higher the quality. The primary distinction lies in the age of the green tea plants: the youngest plants yield a sweeter, intense, rich, and smooth flavor that is used for ceremonial matcha. Older plants are utilized to produce culinary matcha.

– **Ceremonial matcha** is employed in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies where they prepare *koicha* – a form of thick matcha. Because koicha is quite potent, only the finest matcha is used since it’s solely mixed with water and never utilized for lattes or desserts. Essentially, ceremonial matcha has no other ingredients to hide behind. However, even within ceremonial matcha, there are different grades available.

– **Culinary matcha** is typically used for making cakes, cookies, and other treats or dishes. Culinary matcha is usually harvested from older plants in the autumn. Again, there are various grades of culinary matcha, and since there’s no standardized grading, culinary matcha can vary from very good to subpar.

## Do I Need a Chasen/Matcha Whisk?

You don’t require a matcha whisk and holder, but if you possess one, making matcha will be infinitely more fulfilling and simpler. Traditional matcha whisks, known as *chasen*, are crafted from a single piece of bamboo and feature numerous flexible whisks specifically designed to blend matcha into a creamy, emulsified mixture.

The advantages of a chasen are twofold: because they are made from bamboo, they won’t scratch your bowls, and due to their multiple prongs, they can froth your matcha more effectively than a metal whisk. If you obtain a matcha whisk, it’s advisable to also get the holder – *kusenaoshi* – as well.