Matcha
Stone-Ground Green Tea Powder
Overview
Matcha (抹茶) is a vibrant green powdered tea that is whisked in hot water rather than steeped. It has been central to Japanese tea ceremony (Chanoyu) for centuries and has gained worldwide popularity for its unique preparation and exceptional health benefits.
Unlike other teas where leaves are removed before drinking, Matcha involves consuming the entire tea leaf in powdered form, delivering concentrated nutrients, antioxidants, and caffeine.
Characteristics
Appearance
- • Fine powder texture
- • Vibrant emerald green
- • No clumps
- • Stone-ground
Flavor
- • Rich, umami flavor
- • Grassy notes
- • Slightly sweet
- • Creamy when whisked
Unique Production Process
1. Shading (20-30 days)
Before harvest, tea bushes are covered with straw mats to block sunlight. This increases chlorophyll, creates brighter green color, and boosts amino acids (especially L-theanine) for umami flavor.
2. Hand Plucking
Only the youngest, most tender leaves are hand-picked in early spring. This is extremely labor-intensive.
3. Steaming & Drying
Leaves are quickly steamed to stop oxidation, then dried in a furnace (kanmuri). The dried leaves are called "tencha."
4. Stone Grinding
The critical final step - tencha is ground into fine powder using stone mills. This takes about an hour to produce just 30g of matcha. The slow grinding prevents heat buildup and preserves flavor.
Grades
| Grade | Use | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial | Traditional tea ceremony | Highest quality, pure, sweet |
| Premium | Daily drinking | Good quality, vibrant color |
| Cooking | Baking, lattes | More affordable, stronger flavor |