Skip to content
  • Blog
    • Learn
    • Sip
    • Connect
    • Travel
  • Beginner’s Guide to Tea
  • Matcha
  • Puerh
  • Tea in NYC
  • Book
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • Learn
    • Sip
    • Connect
    • Travel
  • Beginner’s Guide to Tea
  • Matcha
  • custom-logo
  • Puerh
  • Tea in NYC
  • Book
  • About Me
Learn

Meet the Tea: Matcha

November 7, 2012March 1, 2020 5 comments
Meet the Tea: Matcha

A Google+ follower asked what matcha is. This question inspired me to start a series that spotlights the different types of tea.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground green tea from Japan. Before harvest, the tea bushes are shaded from the sun for about 20 days. This slows their growth and increases the production of amino acids. It also makes sure that the leaves stay soft and tender. The leaves are immediately steamed after harvesting in order to stop oxidation. They are dried and the veins and stems are removed. The resulting tea is called tencha. You might be able to find tencha to brew as loose leaf tea but it is still fairly rare. The tencha is then stone-ground into a powder in order to make matcha.

The finished product has a consistency similar to talc baby powder. It can up to an hour to grind a single 30g container of green tea powder. Stone grinders do not get hot enough to negatively affect the taste of the tea. Lower quality versions will have large particles and a more bitter taste.

Matcha is traditionally drunk from a wide bowl, called a chawan

How do you make it?

The major difference between matcha and loose leaf tea is that it is a suspension rather than an infusion. It is whisked into water without needing to strain or remove it. In this way, we consume the entire tea leaf. Matcha is known for having a stronger taste as well as higher levels of caffeine.

Matcha is a traditional part of the Japanese tea ceremony. While I would definitely recommend trying to make this tea in the traditional way, there are many other ways to enjoy it. Lattes are very popular. It is also used to flavor everything from Kit Kats to soba noodles.

I love baking with it because it is easy to add to almost any recipe. The possibilities are practically endless. Due to the labor involved, matcha can be quite pricey. However, a good bowl of matcha is an amazing experience and I consider it to be worth the expense.

Do you enjoy drinking this type of tea? How do you usually prepare it? Let me know in the comments below!

GuideMatchaMeet the TeaTea
About Nicole Wilson

About Nicole Wilson

My name is Nicole Wilson and I love tea...a lot! I have been writing about my love of the leaf since 2008. My work has been featured on World Tea News, The Daily Tea, Tea Journey, and other publications. I am the winner of the 2018 World Tea Award for Best Tea Blog. My new book, The Tea Recipe Book, is available for sale now!

Related Posts

How to Get Started Drinking Tea – Buying Your Tea – Part 4
How to Get Started Drinking Tea – Buying Your Tea – Part 4
How to Get Started Drinking Tea – Tools of the Trade – Part 3
How to Get Started Drinking Tea – Tools of the Trade – Part 3
How to Get Started Drinking Tea- Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Part 2
How to Get Started Drinking Tea- Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Part 2
How to Get Started Drinking Tea – Drink Lots of It – Part 1
How to Get Started Drinking Tea – Drink Lots of It – Part 1

Post navigation

Legends of the Leaf: Tie Guan Yin
Drink My Tea and Eat It Too

5 comments

  1. Kohei says:
    November 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    I love enjoying matcha with some sweets. The bitterness of the tea and the sweetness enhance each other and go really well.

    Reply
  2. Juggernaut77 says:
    January 23, 2013 at 6:16 am

    Hey Nicole what online store do you recommend for Matcha? I know I like it, so what's a good price for it? Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Nicole says:
    January 24, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    Here are a few places that I like for Matcha:

    http://www.denstea.com/matcha-c-122.html

    https://shop.aiya-america.com/c/52/matcha-premix

    http://www.davidstea.com/matcha-matsu-en?&TF=D1F7D181D02F&DEID=

    Matcha can be very expensive but you get what you pay for. Start off with a less expensive, lower grade matcha and work your way up to see what works best for you.

    Reply
    1. Juggernaut77 says:
      January 24, 2013 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks for the links. I am going with davidstea matcha matsu! I just want to say your tea blog is the best I've seen on the net! Cheers!

      Reply
  4. Mr Watermelon says:
    May 2, 2020 at 6:24 am

    Thank you for your wonderful blog Nicole! 🙂
    I love to prepare a thin style Matcha in the morning .. using a quality whisk (Kazuho style prongs) .. the day jst isn’t the same without a beautiful bowl of Matcha! or two .. hehehe 😉
    Hv a lovely day 🙂 Xx

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey, there!

Hey, there!

Nicole Wilson. Tea Writer and Educator
Do you love to drink tea, but wish you knew more about it? I'm here to help! The world of specialty tea is massive so it can be a lot to take in. On this blog, you'll find over 1,000 articles and tea reviews to start your journey. I'm always happy to answer questions you might have!

Help Support This Site

Become a Patron!

My New Book!

My New Book!

Subscribe!

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for the latest blog posts, tea news, and more!

Categories

  • Connect
  • Learn
  • Sip
  • Sponsored
  • Testimonials
  • Travel

Archives

Instagram

Amazon Rec’s

Amazon Recommendations
  • Blog
    • Learn
    • Sip
    • Connect
    • Travel
  • Beginner’s Guide to Tea
  • Matcha
  • Puerh
  • Tea in NYC
  • Book
  • About Me
Copyright © 2022 | All Rights Reserved | Designed by Little Theme Shop