Published on 17th October, 2023

Matcha has gained popularity in recent years as a trendy alternative to traditional teas and coffee. However, you may be still wondering, "what exactly is matcha?" We've got you covered.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a high-quality green tea finely grounded in powdered form. It has a pleasant savory taste referred to as "umami" which is what makes drinking matcha so delightful. Umami is a Japanese term used to describe matcha's mysterious 5th flavor as sweet, bitter, salty or sour.

Types of Matcha

Ceremonial Grade - This grade is reserved for tea ceremonies is characterized by its vibrant green color, sweet flavor and smooth texture. It is designed to be consumed on its own, with no additional sweeterners or additives, to fully enjoy and appreciate the intended flavour.

Culinary Grade - Culinary grade is more commonly used in baking and cooking. It maintains a robust flavour and may be slightly duller green than ceremonial grade.

A Brief History of Matcha

Matcha's heritage traces back to China's Tang Dynasty. However, it became popular in the 12th Century when a Buddist monk, Myoan Eisai discovered matcha and brought it to Japan. Zen monks intergrated matcha into their mediatative rituals. For instance, sacrificing a bowl of the drink to the Buddha was part of daily temple practices.

Tea ceremonies was also popularised by matcha. The Japan tea ceremony is called 'Chado' or 'Sado' which transalated to 'The Way of the Tea.' Today, the matcha used in the ceremonies is not only consumed as a drink but also to make desserts.

Baking with Matcha

Matcha is versatile. There's so much you can do with matcha besides drink it. In baking, it adds an extra flavour to recipes. I baked matcha brownies with just a little matcha powder infused in the recipes and they were delicious! But don't take my word for it. I offered these brownies to my friends to try, most of whom had no idea what matcha was but gave positive feedback. You can check it out here.

From delicate matcha infused brownies to macarons, creamy matcha cheesecakes, there are countless desserts you can explore. Here are more examples of how you can use matcha:

• Blend the powder into your morning smoothie bowl.
• Add matcha to your morning oatmeal or smoothie bowl.
• Try making a matcha latte with almond milk.

Matcha in Modern Times

Chances are you've had matcha before if you've ever ordered a green tea latte from Starbucks. 

Matcha has a unique flavor that makes it enjoyable and simple to use into desserts or beverages. For instance, matcha may be infused in dessert recipes like cakes, cookies and ice cream or eeven beverages such as smoothies and cocktails. Due to the high demand, most have a matcha latte or dessert included in their menu.

Facts about Matcha you should know

1. Matcha was drank by Samurai fighters before battle. They believed that drinking matcha tea would give them physical strength and prepare them mentally for battle.
2. The tea plants used for matcha are shaded from sunlight for about 20 to 30 days before harvest. This enhances the chlororphyll levels, giving the leaves their brilliant green hue. Shading also boosts nutirent content.
3. Matcha containes more caffeine than coffee. One teaspoon of matcha contains about 70 mg of caffeine while one shot of espresso has only 64 mg.
4. Starbucks exclusively uses matcha green tea in its mixes. Japan currently ranks fourth in the world with around 1,600 Starbucks stores across the island country as of October 2022.
5. You can tell matcha's grade by its color. The brighter and more vibrant the green, the higher the grade of matcha.
6. Premium grade matcha has a satisfying and greenish aroma known as 'oika' aroma. 
7. Matcha is sensitive to light, heat, and moisture.

"Those who cannot feel the littleness of great things in themselves are apt to overlook the greatness of little things in other." as written by Okakura Kakuzo in his book entitled "The Book of Tea."