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.
Matcha Green Tea is becoming popular worldwide but still many people don't know about Matcha Green Tea well. The consequence of this fact is that many people waste their money for low quality matcha green tea. To avoid this happening, the most important thing is "Knowledge" but don't worry, we'll explain simply. :)
We posted the article "THE BASIC FACTS ABOUT JAPANESE MACHA " to a Tea lover blog called "The Cup of Life". Please read our post Here and become a Matcha Green Tea expert.
It is getting cold in Japan and leaves are changing their colors into the magnificent beauty of nature. Please come to Japan and see them with your own eyes drinking matcha green tea!
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 bit pricier than other teas on the market today since a lot of time and hard work goes into making this wonderful Japanese green tea powder. We understand that it may feel like an investment to some and that’s why we want to help you keep your matcha fresh for as long as possible. The simple way to do so is storing the matcha properly.
While you should store other teas away from the cold it’s actually best to keep your matcha in the cold! But, not just anywhere. It’s best to keep it inside an airtight container and then placed in the fridge. The cold and dark space will help keep the matcha fresh. If it is exposed to heat and air the matcha will begin to slowly change from the vibrant green colour to something dull (ie. brownish-green). It also may lose some of the great health benefits!
Once you get some matcha out to make a bowl or cup, seal the package or container immediately. When you place it in your fridge try not to have it with other items that may give off a strong odor. You don’t want to grab your matcha next time and make a cup that tastes like something else in your fridge! Also, storing your matcha in the fridge instead of the freezer is best because the freezer may expose the matcha to too much moisture.
Matcha has a shelf life of about 1 year if sealed. The shelf life changes once you open your matcha though. That’s why good quality matcha is often sold in smaller quantities (ie. 20-30 gram tins) because unless your drinking matcha all day every day, you may not use up 100 grams of ceremonial matcha before the flavour and health benefits deteriorate.
With proper storage, opened matcha is usually best within 1-3 months. However if your matcha is passed that best before date that is okay! Matcha technically doesn’t really go “bad” in the sense that you have to throw it out once the best before date has passed. It just won’t taste exactly the same as it did when you first got it.
That being said, if your matcha is passed the best before date, try it out as a hot tea. If you notice a taste difference and do not enjoy it anymore don’t toss it out just yet! Try using this matcha for something else like a latte, smoothie or in baked goods. Still don’t like it? Dispose of it and buy some fresh Japanese matcha right here! But, don’t forget to follow these tips next time around.
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!
I first tried high quality organic matcha when I was living in Sapporo, Japan. Thanks to a friend, I had the opportunity to experience a Japanese tea ceremony with 3 other friends!
We went to the home of a friendly and welcoming woman who was dressed in elegant kimono. I wasn't sure what to expect as she ushered us into a lovely little tatami-floored room.
We were concerned about making foolish mistakes during the ceremony, but our host put us at ease with encouragement and jokes. We settled onto the floor in the traditional Japanese sitting pose, but of course we were not able to maintain the pose for the entire ceremony. Our host was very understanding and invited us to adjust our seats as needed. I could tell that the most important thing for her was to share the beauty and peace of the ceremony. Her enthusiasm and love for the tea ceremony was expressed in each graceful movement she made.
When she opened the small wooden jar containing the matcha powder, I was surprised by the vibrancy and depth of the green of it, since I had only ever been exposed to cheap and low quality sencha tea-bag style green teas back home in Canada. High quality matcha tea powder is green like the forest on a spring day, and is just as pleasant and refreshing.
We enjoyed watching the meticulous process of the tea ceremony, and we were impressed by the care and attention shown by our host. She made the ceremony look both simple and incredibly complex at the same time! Eventually she passed me a beautiful little bowl of gently steaming matcha. After twisting the bowl this way and that(I'm sorry I can't recall the meaning behind this), I had my first sip of high quality matcha green tea.
There was a wonderful, creamy frothiness to start, followed by an earthy yet smooth green tea flavor. The flavor matched the color of the powder I had seen - vibrant and unique, but not glaring or garish.
Of course, there was also the warmth of the caffeine, and I realized as I finished my matcha, that the feeling was entirely different from that of caffeine from coffee. Matcha left me with an invigorated yet mellow feeling, with none of the jittery jangles that can result from coffee.
Now that I'm back home in Canada, organic matcha green tea is a special treat for me, and I'm thankful I had the chance to try it for the first time in Japan! I'm also thrilled to find that people in Canada are becoming more aware of the advantages of high quality organic matcha, and what a lovely drink it is!
