Matcha Madness
As you may have gathered by now, I am a huge coffee enthusiast. In fact, if I were to do a blood test, it would probably reveal that 85% of my bloodstream consists of caffeine! That's how much I adore and drink coffee.
However, today I want to share with you a different beverage that contains caffeine, despite not being coffee. It's technically a type of green tea, but I hold it in high regard nonetheless, given my love for all things caffeinated. It is Matcha! I will be discussing a little of its history, the production processes, benefits, and home preparation. So, grab your cup of tea and read on!
History
Matcha has a long and storied past in Japan, where it has been consumed for ages as part of age-old tea ceremonies. It was first brought to Japan by Buddhist monks who carried tea seeds from China during the 9th century. Gradually, matcha grew to be an indispensable component of Japanese traditions and was part of religious ceremonies, as well as samurai rituals. Read more in Wikipedia.
From Plant to Powder
As I mentioned previously, matcha is a type of green tea that has been finely ground into a powder. What makes matcha different from other types of green tea is its unique method of growth. It is shade-grown for several weeks before harvest, which gives the leaves a deeper green color and a richer flavor. The tea leaves are then handpicked and moved to steaming machines for steaming and air drying to stop the oxidation of the leaves (Aracha). Next, the stems and veins are carefully removed from the dried leaves (Tencha) before they are ground into a fine powder using a stone mill (Matcha).
Health Benefits
For coffee enthusiasts, matcha is often compared to coffee due to its caffeine content and energizing effects. However, unlike coffee, matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine. L-theanine is known for its ability to promote relaxation and mental clarity without causing drowsiness or fatigue. In addition to these benefits, L-theanine has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and enhance cognitive performance.
Make Match at Home
To make matcha at home, you will need the following: Matcha powder, bamboo whisk (chasen), matcha bowl (chawan) or a small bowl and water (ideally, filtered).
You can buy the matcha powder from the link below. This is an authentic Japanese matcha imported directly from Uji, Kyoto. It is a Japanese premium ceremonial grade matcha green tea powder; All natural, no sugar, no fillers, no preservatives, and radiation free.
Akira Matcha
Akira Matcha 30g - Organic Premium Ceremonial Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder - First Harvest, Radiation Free, No Additives, Zero Sugar - USDA and JAS Certified
Also, you can buy a set of matcha tools and accessories from here:
TEANAGOO Matcha Tea Set
Japanese Tea Set, Matcha Bowl, Matcha Bamboo Whisk, Scoop, Sifter, Matcha Whisk Holder, Matcha whisk stand, Matcha whisk set N4,Matcha Green Tea Powder Kit. Matcha Tea Kit
First, heat water in a kettle or saucepan to around 80°C (176°F). If you don't have a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and then let it sit for a minute to cool down slightly.
- Sift 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder into the matcha bowl to remove any clumps.
- Pour a small amount of hot water (around 2 ounces) into the bowl to wet the matcha powder.
- Use the bamboo whisk to whisk the matcha and water mixture vigorously in a back-and-forth motion until it becomes smooth and frothy.
- Add more hot water (6-8 ounces) to the bowl and whisk again until fully mixed.
Enjoy your freshly prepared matcha!
If you do not have the matcha set, you can also prepare match using a blender or a milk frother, but using a whisk is the traditional way and produces the best results. Additionally, you want to turn the matcha tea to a matcha latte by adding milk to it.
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