Do you know that matcha powder is not only for matcha tea but also for cooking? In cooking you don't need ceremonial grade matcha powder but you need high quality matcha powder because low grade matcha powder has astringency that affects negatively to the taste of your cooking. Even though matcha green tea is becoming popular worldwide, there are still many people who don't know the green powder, Matcha. It might be good idea to try Matcha from sweets :)
Please watch this video and learn how to make Raw Matcha Chocolate!
We hope you had a wonderful winter holidays. :) 2020 was very difficult time for all of us. We still can't be optimistic but as the saying goes, the darkest hour is just before the dawn. The sun is rising soon!
Japanese Green Tea was drunk as a medicine long time ago. Matcha is fine power of Japanese Green Tea. So drinking Matcha Green Tea means that you ingest the entire Green Tea leaves! That is why Matcha is called super healthy drink. Check out how good Matcha Green Tea is on this video.
You have matcha questions and we have the answers! If you're curious about the Japanese green tea powder and need some more information before giving Grace & Green's matcha a try, here are 5 of the most frequently asked questions about matcha and our answers. We hope you learn something new about our favourite tea. Be sure to head to our shop page to find different matcha options to purchase afterwards, too.
1. What is the difference between matcha and other green teas?
Matcha and other green teas are from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis but the growing and processing methods of the tea leaves is the main difference. To make matcha, tencha green tea leaves are used. The plants are shaded before harvesting by covering them with bamboo mats or tarps. After the leaves are harvested they are steamed to prevent oxidation. They are then sorted before grinding in the the green powder we all know and love. Other green teas do not go through this entire process.
2. What is the difference between the ceremonial and culinary grades of matcha?
The main factors when comparing ceremonial grade matcha to culinary matcha are harvest, origin, plant and leaf quality and processing technique. Ceremonial grade matcha is higher quality and commonly used in the Japanese tea ceremony. It is the best for drinking matcha straight. Culinary grade matcha is lower quality and commonly used in recipes. Since it is a different quality than ceremonial grade, it can be a bit bitter and more grassy. Mixing it with other ingredients helps!
3. What should authentic Japanese matcha taste like?
Of course the taste of matcha will depend on the quality you are drinking and how you make it. But, authentic matcha from Japan should be the best quality with vegetal notes, smooth mouthfeel and no bitterness.
4. What are the health benefits of matcha?
Matcha is quite unique when it comes to other teas because you are ingesting the entire tea leaves when drinking it. Therefore, you are getting all of the nutrients from those tea leaves! Matcha is rich in vitamins, fiber and chlorophyll.
5. Why does my matcha not froth?
Your matcha may not be frothing for a few reasons! If you’re using too much water, the layer of froth on the surface of my matcha is hard to achieve. Also take a look at your water temperature. If the water is too cold the matcha will not suspend well in the water. The other option is that your matcha is low quality. Higher quality matcha is best if you really want to get a nice layer of froth. Lower quality matcha is harder to froth and better to be made into a latte, smoothie or other recipes.
Matcha is a powdered green tea produced in Japan. It is also the tea that is commonly used during the Japanese tea ceremony. However, the Japanese tea ceremony prepares matcha as a hot tea — not as a matcha latte. The matcha is made and served straight with no additives. This is also the healthiest way to consume the green tea powder.
Making matcha at home as a hot tea (the traditional way) is rewarding and such a revitalizing experience. We would love for more individuals to experience this! Thankfully, you do not need too many tools to make a great bowl of matcha at home.
Here are the items that you will need to get started:
1. Ceremonial Matcha
If you’re preparing matcha traditionally, it’s very important to have high quality matcha. The best matcha will be vibrant green and so smooth with absolutely no bitterness. It will also froth easier when whisked with the proper tools. To get started on your at home matcha making journey, check out this matcha that we offer.
2. Bamboo Scoop
When matcha is prepared in a tea ceremony you will not see regular teaspoons lying around. Instead, a bamboo scoop is used to measure out the perfect amount of matcha per serving. The best bamboo scoop will be handmade in Japan and should not have any chemical bleach treatment. Find the one we use daily here.
3. Matcha Sifter
Sifting your matcha before adding water can be helpful in getting rid of any lumps. A delicious bowl of matcha will be lump free, smooth and kind of creamy with the frothy surface. To achieve this better, it’s recommended that you invest in a matcha sifter. The few extra seconds you take during this step makes a difference in the end product. You do not need to spend a lot of money on one either. An expensive sifter will not make your matcha taste any better. This is a great, affordable option here.
4. Bamboo Whisk
You can certainly make matcha at home with an electric frother or whisk, but if you are preparing it in a traditional setting a bamboo whisk is required. It is also known as a chasen. It’s an authentic matcha tool that can also make a difference in preparing your matcha, therefore making the taste much better. Like the bamboo scoop, the whisk should be handmade in Japan without chemical treatment. Bamboo whisks come with various amounts of prongs. We recommend this one which has 72 prongs, as it is great for a thin matcha.
5. Bowl
Traditional matcha is made in a bowl, not a cup of mug. A matcha bowl is also known as a chawan. They are available in many shapes, sizes and designs. However, if you do not have one you can easily use another bowl at home. A soup bowl with high walls can work well. Just make sure you have enough room in the bowl to use the bamboo whisk without breaking it.
Grace and Green carries all of the items above so you can get everything you need to make matcha at home right here!
Sometimes we get messages from our customers. Most of our customers are Matcha lovers and have already tried many brands. And some of them have visited Japan. Today we got a message from the UK.
Order #6811 - Konichiwa Ritsuo- San, I am just messaging to say Arigatou gozaimashita for the delivery of my matcha, which I received today. Your note inside the package made my day as it brought back memories of my trip to Japan in November 2019 and the reason I fell in love with Japan.
A latte is a very popular way to consume matcha. In fact, many matcha lovers in North America started their addiction with a matcha latte. It’s a great way to experience matcha for the first time. However, most matcha lattes in cafes can be filled with a lot more sugar than pure, authentic matcha. A matcha latte can also be pretty expensive, especially if you’re buying them regularly.
The good news is that you can easily make a matcha latte at home and it will take less time than ordering one! All you need is a matcha (ceremonial or even a culinary grade will do here), your favourite milk (cows or plant based), water and a frothing device. You can even add sweetener if desired. The great thing about making a quick matcha latte at home is that you can control the sweetness. Don’t want any? Don’t add it! Just want a touch of sweetness? Don’t add too much! Say goodbye to those sugary matcha drinks.
What is a matcha latte?
Latte means milk in Italian. Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder made from tencha tea leaves. Put the two together and you have a matcha latte. This can be similar to a latte made with coffee, except matcha is healthier and also does not come with jitters from caffeine later on. While this is not the traditional way to make and drink matcha, a matcha latte is still warm, comforting and so delicious! It’s also filled with antioxidants. Replace your morning cup of coffee with this and you’ll begin to notice a difference in your day-to-day routine.
For this recipe, any of Grace & Green’s matcha offerings will work well.
Grace & Green Matcha Latte
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoon Grace & Green matcha
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup warm milk
1 teaspoon sugar
Directions:
1. Sift matcha into a cup. Add the hot water (not boiling!) and whisk with a handheld frother or a bamboo whisk (chasen).
2. Stir in sugar (or any other sweetener you like) until it is dissolved.
3. Froth the warm milk with either a handheld frother or an electric frother.
4. Add to the cup of matcha and enjoy!
High quality organic matcha for your matcha latte is Here!
The history of Matcha dates back about 800 years. Matcha was originally used as medicine for people who wished for perpetual youth and longevity. The only thing that is accurate about the health benefits of Matcha is that even though it does offer many health benefits, it does not offset poor life habits like smoking, eating too many sweets, drinking alcohol to excess, too little physical exercise, etc. From its history, we may infer that Matcha can contribute much to your good health.
Looking for the best organic matcha green tea in Japan? Your matcha is HERE!
As matcha green tea is becoming popular worldwide, you can easily find matcha green tea that is not made in Japan. Usually the price of them is much less expensive.
The method of making Matcha was developed in Japan after the introduction of green tea powder into Japan from China. The most distinguishing feature of Japanese Matcha is the use of a Tencha oven. This oven was invented in Japan and is called a Horii-type Tencha oven (see the picture below). All Tencha ovens in Japan are said to be of the Horii type.
Another important feature of Authentic Matcha Green Tea is that it is made from some special cultivars that were developed in Japan exclusively for making matcha. Some of them are Samidori, Asahi, Gokou, etc.