How To Make Matcha Tea At Home

The Ultimate Guide To Matcha

Making matcha at home may seem daunting at first, but I guarantee its not only easy to do, but also the best way to enjoy. At cafés, youre paying a premium for a poorly whisked latte and a high probability of clumps at the bottom of the drink. Youll not only save yourself some money but will probably end up with a much tastier latte!

Nowadays, matcha is becoming more and more popular but its important to note that not all matcha is good. Yup! I said it. Growing up, I would drink it with my oba-chan and when I tried my first Starbucks matcha I was so surprised by what I tasted. My standards are definitely a little up there, but the contrast between a good and bad can make all the difference.

Think about it like you would coffee. Theres such a wide range of blends, roasts and types of coffee you can enjoy. So, before you decide youre not a fan of it, make sure you give a really good matcha a shot first.

Im going to walk you through the entire process of making it at home, including how to find quality matcha powder, and what tools you need.

Matcha Starter Kit Information

Our Matcha Starter Kit contains:

• Matcha bowl : Choose between deep blue or sea green. The shape of this bowl is designed to give you the optimal space to whisk matcha and hot water together until frothy and then sip directly from the bowl. These bowls have approximate dimensions of 3×4.5×4.5.

• Bamboo matcha whisk : This hand-crafted bamboo whisk is the best tool for creating frothy, smooth matcha. Made from authentic white bamboo, with hand carved strands that are designed to produce the creamiest froth, the whisk is an essential part of the traditional matcha experience.

• Bamboo matcha scoop : This traditional matcha scoop is made from hand carved bamboo. It is used to transfer matcha powder to the bowl before adding water and whisking.

• Matcha sifter: This fine mesh hand sifter is ideal for sifting matcha before adding the hot water. Sifting removes any clumps that may have formed in the matcha powder, which helps create a smoother, creamier froth when whisking.

• Ceramic matcha whisk holder: This ceramic whisk holder helps prolong the life of a bamboo matcha whisk by maintaining its shape and providing air flow to the handle while drying.

• Tin of ceremonial grade matcha : Our organic ceremonial grade matcha is an excellent choice for daily drinking. This high quality matcha has a brilliant green color with a mild, natural sweetness and slightly grassy astringency.

This kit represents a savings of 14% when compared with purchasing these items separately.

Buy The Best Matcha You Can Find

Many people think that buying the best matcha they can find is the most effective way to enjoy it.

While its true that higher-quality matcha will give you a more robust flavor and color, its also true that cheaper matcha is just as good.

What separates the better matcha from the rest is the authenticity of the manufacturing process.

Cheap matcha is often made in China, and while it has characteristics similar to high-quality matcha, its often filtered through a paper screen to remove the more harmful components.

Authentic matcha is produced in Japan, and while it has many of the same antioxidants found in natural green tea, its finely ground in a special mill that also steps in to remove caffeine, tannins, and other harmful substances.

Because of these differences in how the plants are processed, higher-quality matcha has a much more distinct flavor than lower-quality matcha.

You wont mistake high-quality matcha for green tea at a gas station, though, so its always important to purchase the highest quality you can find.

Related article: 7 Good reasons to drink iced tea.

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Want To Skip The Tools

Dont want to spring for the special whisk and bowl? We do recommend them for the best experience. But if you want to make it on the spot and dont have these tools, heres what to do:

• Shake in a jar: Shake the green tea powder and cool water in a jar until frothy.
• Complete the remaining recipe steps as written.

The Proper Way To Whisk

While you can opt for a milk frother or other methods to properly whisk your matcha, it’s worth adding a chasen to your cart to ensure smoothly whisked matcha at home. First, mix the tea slowly to disperse the matcha at the bottom of the bowl. Then raise the whisk and slightly shake your wrist firmly back and forth. When the foam begins to rise, raise the whisk to the surface of the foam and move it slowly to reduce the thickness.

Traditionally, matcha is drunk in a few sips and finished with a slurp . Cha-An Teahouse sources their matcha from Ujitawara Town, a place known for green tea cultivation.

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Types Of Matcha Green Tea

Depending on the preparation method, there are two types of matcha: the thinner Usucha and the thicker Koicha.

Koicha is the green tea of choice in Japanese tea ceremonies and special tea parties. It is much sweeter and more full-bodied than Usucha.

For a beginner and everyday use, I recommend making Usucha.

The Best Healthy Holiday Matcha Gifts

Giving someone the gift of matcha tea to prioritize their health is the perfect way to let someone know how much you care about them.

Whether you are looking to give a healthy present to a family member whos a seasoned matcha drinker, someone at work who desperately needs to alleviate stress, or just a friend whos looking to start 2023 with healthy intentions, theres no doubt matcha is a wonderfully thoughtful holiday gift idea!

Looking for high-quality matcha gifts and the perfect matcha gift sets? To make your holiday 2022 gift shopping easier, weve assembled all of the best matcha gifts and gift sets this holiday season for everyone in your life from the perfect gift for the self-proclaimed matcha maniac to the expecting mother to the gym shark weve got you!

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Is Matcha Tea Good For You

Yes! Unlike most teas where you just steep the leaves, matcha gives you the chance to consume the entire leaf and all of its benefits. Matcha contains L-Theanine, an amino acid that reduces stress, enhances mood, and gives you an energy boost to remain alert for a while after consumption.

A cup of matcha will also give you a nice dose of antioxidants, one of the many known health benefits of green tea. Consequently, however, one cup of matcha also contains roughly 60 milligrams of caffeine, which is still less caffeine than your standard cup of coffee , but one should always be safe to not overindulge in too many caffeinated matcha drinks.

More Reasons To Try This Blend

Similarly, the use of Damiana tea leaves has been used as an aphrodisiac in several cultures like the Mayans and Aztecs, and is also good for fixing bladder issues. Moreover, the addition of cardamom helps in improving early signs of impotence by increasing the testosterone levels and improve sexual function. The use of Nutmeg also helps in boosting libido and improving fertility in both men and women.

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Whats Special About This Blend

The addition of spices and herbs make this tea a sex stimulating mixture. As per studies, saffron has been used as a mood lifter, which also heals depressive symptoms, reduces erectile dysfunction. Apart from that, addition of ashwagandha to this tea helps in relaxing the nerves, inducing sleep and boosting libido.

What Is Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is a type of green tea. It is used in Japanese tea ceremonies, but can be drunk daily.

In a formal Japanese tea ceremony, making matcha tea involves a tea scoop for measuring the tea, a bamboo whisk for mixing the tea smoothly, and the tea bowl .

You can make matcha tea at home with utensils you probably already have in your kitchen a teaspoon, a small whisk , and a small bowl or mug. You will also need a small strainer to sift the powdered tea to make your matcha tea as smooth as the tea you would have in a Japanese tea ceremony.

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Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte: Faqs

Theres honey in this. Thats not vegan, right?

Right, adding honey to this drink doesnt make this totally vegan. If youre looking for it to be completely plant-based, just sub agave.

My matcha was clumpy. What happened?

If you have a mesh strainer, you can also pour the matcha latte through it to remove clumps. I am usually too lazy to get it out in the morning, which is why I just let it settle for a second and then pour carefully enough so that the little clumps just stay put in the bottom of the jar.

Can I make this into a hot matcha latte?

You can, you totally can. TBH, I cant stomach matcha green tea lattes when theyre hot. Just too much of a green plant steaminess in my face. But it totally works that way if you like it.

Culinary Vs Ceremonial Grade Matcha

The difference between culinary and ceremonial grade come down to price and quality. As mentioned earlier, culinary comes from the second harvest of the year, where as ceremonial grade is the premium, first harvest.

The flavour difference and colour difference can be stark between the two. You may notice that culinary powder can take on almost a yellow/brown and very dull green colour whereas ceremonial grade is rich, vibrant and deep in green colour. Culinary tends to be much more bitter, and can even have a slight fishy taste to it.

My recommendation for anyone drinking matcha would be to drink ceremonial grade. You will not only be consuming the most nutrient, but also the best flavour and colour. Even though the name culinary may suggest that it is better for cooking purposes, the colour and flavour are much more dull, so I would still recommend ceremonial grade.

One very important tip Ill share with you is that ceremonial grade matcha can still vary in its quality. As long as it is harvested first and processed correctly, it could be ceremonial, but you want to make sure youre purchasing from tea families specializing in proper growing and processing.

One last thing to note: matcha powder should contain only one ingredientmatcha. Look out for powders with added corn starch or wonky ingredients.

Also Check: What Are The Health Benefits Of Matcha Tea

When You Use Tap Water

• Please pour the water into an iron or anodized aluminum kettle, and keep it overnight.
• Once the water is boiled, keep it for 5 minutes by low heat in an open kettle. Then the smell of chlorine, mold and trihalomethane is removed.
• For Japanese green tea, slightly acidic water is suitable. Tap water has a neutral value of pH7.
• It is recommended to use a charcoal water filter.

How To Make Matcha Tea At Home:

To make a perfect cup of tea for a refreshing healthy morning and a stimulating day, the easiest steps written below must be followed

Step 1 :

Take a ceramic bowl, and a place a small sifter i.e a strainer over the bowl. Now measure the matcha powder and mildly knock the side of the strainer to jiggle the matcha powder into the cup. All the clusters and clumps will be removed and a smoother drink can be attained.

Step 2 :

Water taken should be almost 165 to 180°F. It should not be boiling. Use a bamboo whisk for acquiring traditional tea. Vigorously stir the tea using crisscross motions to produce a frothy beverage. You can also use a regular mini whisk if a bamboo whisk is not easily available. Until the whole powder is dissolved, one should not stop whisking.

Step 3:

The same step can be repeated for using milk instead of water and the modern tools can also be used for making a perfect cup of tea.

Step 4 :

Pour the hot milk or water into the latte or tea container. Place a large bamboo spoon just inside the frothing cup to grasp back the fluff. You can pour the milk as much as youd like to pour, not all the milk is necessarily used.

Step 5:

Now scoop the froth and fluff on the topmost of the cup, by using a bamboo spoon gradually. You can place the scooped foam on the latte. Spread the equally through the top of the latte.

Step 6:

Now add agave, honey, maple syrup and sugar if needed and shake it again.

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Diy Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte

Light, creamy and refreshing iced matcha latte made at home, in the blender in under a minute. This Starbucks copycat recipe taste just as good for a fraction of the price!

The milk and matcha powder is mixed in the blender to remove any lumps. This means you can double or triple the recipe and store the remaining Matcha in the fridge for the rest of the week. To use, simply pour into a cup of ice and enjoy!

The trick to making a good matcha latte is a good quality matcha powder. Matcha powder is one of those things that you should spend the few extra pennies and get the good brand because matcha varies in quality. Generally, the lighter the matcha the better quality. Stay away from matcha that looks olive or brownish.

What is Matcha Powder?

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that is mostly grown and produced in Japan. During the last few weeks of their growth, the tea leaves are shaded from the sun to increase their chlorophyll content and produce the vibrant green color. The leaves are then ground to produce a fine powder which is used in recipes for making teas, lattes, smoothies, and even ice-cream.

Join Us At The Tea Table

Now that you know a little bit more about Matcha Green tea, all the easy ways to prepare it and the basic mistakes to avoid we’d love to hear from you. So if you found this article useful, dont hesitate to leave us a comment.

And if you are looking for a true quality-Matcha, I would like to invite you to try ours! We grind our Matcha in-house with a traditional Japanese stone-mill. And its always fresh , so no dull and dubious tasting tea here. You can buy freshly-ground Matcha online here.

MORE ON MATCHA

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Hot Iced Traditional Or For A Facial Mask

In reality, people use matcha tea for many purposes. In Japan, traditional tea ceremony rituals use the very best grade of tea to create a drink that cleanses both body and mind.In Western cultures, matcha is often prepared as a casual breakfast drink, either hot or cold. Californians and Arizonans, for example, tend to make iced matcha tea during long, hot summers of the Southwestern U.S. But even outside Japan, people prefer to make a ritual out of the preparation process. In addition, some of the worlds top salons offer matcha facial masks as part of their services. Below, we discuss how to make ceremonial matcha tea, the casual hot or cold beverage, and the facial mask paste.

Hot tea for a casual breakfastTastes vary wildly, but a beginning point for mixture is one teaspoon of tea powder to six ounces of water. After your first few servings, adjust that ratio more to your personal liking. Boil spring or filtered water. Even distilled water can be used. Let the boiled water sit for a few minutes to cool down. Put the powder through a fine strainer to remove any lumps. Use a whisk to mix about two ounces of water with the powder until it is frothy. Then, add the rest of the water. Drink it this way the first time so you can later calibrate the amount of tea powder and decide whether to add any sweeteners. Note: The tea powder will settle on the bottom of the bowl after a while so be sure to re-stir it every few minutes.

Matcha As An Ingredient

Cafe Grade Gotcha matcha, or ingredient grade, is used in cooking and drink making recipes. It is stronger in taste and will hold up to sweeteners and other ingredients. Experiment with adding cafe grade matcha to yogurt shakes, milk drinks and cocktails. Use a blender for mixing with things like yogurt and ice cream. Use an electric whisk for milk drinks and cocktails. Find these and more easy and fun matcha recipes here.

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Benefits Of Matcha Tea

If youre a newbie to matcha tea, you might be wondering about its possible health benefits.

For starters, matcha is incredibly rich in antioxidants.2 These are compounds which help protect your cells from harmful free radicals.3

Matcha is specifically high in catechins, a type of antioxidant which have been shown to have a variety of health benefits.

To learn more about this, check out our blog on the 10 benefits of match tea

Enjoy Matcha At Home Without Going To Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony , Chado or Chanoyu or Ocha in Japanese) is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving matcha. The whole process is not about drinking tea its all about aesthetics and considerations the host of the ceremony has for the guests with every movement and gesture.

As a guest, there are a lot of etiquettes and rules to follow when you attend the ceremony. For example, when matcha is served by a host, you hold the tea bowl with your right hand on its side and left hand under the cup. Then you will need to rotate the bowl a little to the right before drinking.

Why do we turn the bowl? When the host places the tea bowl in front of you, you are looking at the most beautiful part of the bowl. It is rude if you put your mouth directly on it, therefore you turn the bowl to the side and drink.

You can always experience the Japanese tea ceremony at tea houses in, but I also wanted to show you how easily you can prepare delicious matcha at home and enjoy it without attending the Japanese tea ceremony.

A simple ritual of making matcha is always a welcome relaxation at any time of the day. For me, the act of whisking and partaking the emerald green cup of tea reminds me to take a slower pace of life and appreciate the beauty of simplicity. I hope it will bring you the same calming experience as well.

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