MATCHA 101
Vibrant and packed with antioxidants, Matcha is growing in popularity worldwide. This green tea, which has been around for over 1,000 years, is being touted as the “espresso of the tea world” for its strong, bold flavours and its ability to perk you up.
A LITTLE MATCHA HISTORY
Despite its recent revival, Matcha has been around since the Tang dynasty of China. It was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks who visited China and brought it back with them. It is believed that Eisai, the legendary Buddhist Monk, recommended the consumption of tea to one of his pupils, who took his advice and tended to the cultivation of tea bushes in his direct temple precincts. It is from this point forward that the consumption of tea, mainly in powdered form, became more widely spread throughout the country, initially for use in Buddhist monasteries and later also by Samurai warriors to prepare for battle. For more than eight centuries, Zen masters and their students have valued Matcha as a prized ingredient in the ritual of the tea ceremony. It is used to enhance alertness, to increase presence of mind, and to enable a placid meditative state. Matcha facilitates the journey to awareness.
WHAT IS MATCHA?
Matcha is pure green tea leaves stone ground into a fine powder. The distinctive electric green colour is the result of shading for several weeks before harvest, which stimulates the production of chlorophyll. The tencha leaves are then placed in a granite grinder and milled to a fine powder. It takes approximately one hour to grind 30 grams of Matcha.
THE SUPERFOOD
As the whole leaf is consumed, the nutritional benefits of Matcha are far higher than that of other teas. Matcha helps to detox the body, improves the immune system, and boosts energy and metabolism. It has high caffeine levels and contains a number of antioxidants, including EGCg, which is known for its cancer-fighting properties, and L-theanine, which helps to calm the mind and improve memory and concentration.
QUALITY
There are two grades of Matcha: ceremonial grade and confectioner’s grade (lower quality). Our Matcha is an organic, ceremonial grade tea powder. When prepared, it boasts a strongly flavoured and vibrantly green liquor with a distinct grassy and herbaceous taste and aroma.
HOW TO PREPARE MATCHA TEA
Straight Up:
First, add a little hot water to the chawan (bowl) and swirl it around. Warming the bowl first will keep your Matcha hot. Make sure to discard the water.
Add a heaped bamboo scoop of Matcha to your bowl and a 150ml of 80oC water. TIP: Add a splash of cold water to boiling water to bring the temperature down to 80oC.
Whisk in an “M” shape, breaking up any lumps until your Matcha is nice and frothy.
Cup the bowl, sip and savour.
With Milk:
For a creamy Matcha latte, pour the prepared matcha into a cup, then top with hot milk and sweeten with honey.
