What is it Matcha?
Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves which has been around for centuries. The green tea plants for matcha are shade-grown for about two to four weeks before harvesting. The powdered form of matcha is consumed differently from tea leaves or tea bags, and is dissolved in a liquid, typically water.
Celebrated for its numerous health benefits, matcha is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and chlorophyll. The health benefits of matcha exceed those of other green teas because matcha drinkers ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water.
As you can get matcha from green tea, you can also find white matcha made from white tea! There are very few places in the world that produce white matcha tea powder; one of them is a valley in Kenya. At 6500ft above sea level in the Nandi Highlands in Kenya, white tea is carefully grown. Only the youngest leaves are gently plucked before being made into a truly exceptionally smooth matcha as the white tea leaves are slowly ground using a traditional stone mill. Kenyan white matcha tea produces a really crisp flavour with warm mossy notes and a hint of oolong. Great as a traditional matcha, a matcha latte , or blend with ginger, lime, honey and ice for a superb iced matcha tea.
Matcha is versatile and flexible. Originally consumed as a tea with water, matcha is now a popular ingredient in mixed beverages (such as smoothies, lattes) and other foods like breads, cakes and more.
How do I make Matcha?
Matcha powder (try Nandi) and hot water (or hot milk) should be whisked together. It’s recommended that you use a tea strainer to sift the matcha into a cup or bowl to avoid clumps. Then, add warm water and whisk it. (Traditionally this is done with a called a bamboo whisk called a chasen.) The whisking creates a foamy tea that can be poured into your cup. Some people add the powder to other hot liquids, like milk, to make a latte.
Try it and let us know how matcha you like it!
As always, the best day starts with Tea and You.
Till next time,
T&U