What Is Matcha?

The Espresso of Tea

This traditional Japanese green tea powder is produced by stone-milling a shade-grown green tea called tencha into a fine powder. Matcha has a rich cultural tradition as the tea prepared and revered during chanoyu–the mindful, artistic, Zen-inspired Japanese Tea Ceremony. 

Matcha is unique among teas in that when we drink matcha, we consume the fresh green tea leaf itself, ground and whisked up into an energizing, refreshing beverage with a rich, umami-sweet flavor. 

Matcha is what people often refer to as the "espresso of tea" because it contains a noteworthy level of caffeine.

Matcha Powder Benefits

Matcha contains a compound called L-theanine, which has been studied to promote a sense of relaxation. The unique combination of L-theanine and caffeine in matcha is what gives it nootropic effects. These make matcha a popular choice for those looking to improve attention, reaction time, endurance and memory. Some matcha powder benefits for include:

1. Fresh tea polyphenol antioxidants, believed to help combat aging and certain ailments
2. L-theanine, which is known to reduce stress and anxiety
3. Sustained energy without the crash of coffee
4. Delicious and vibrant flavor
5. Simple to add to your favorite smoothie, latte or other food and beverages
6. Thought to boost immunity, stabilize blood sugar and promote weight loss through better digestion

What Is Involved in Matcha Cultivation?

Tencha, which is what matcha powder is made from, is harvested just one time each year between May and June and is grown exclusively to make matcha. To make tencha, the tea plants are shaded for 3-5 weeks prior to harvest. Shading tea plants elevates chlorophyll content and enhances L-theanine and other stimulating amino acids, all of which contribute to matcha’s vivid green color, lush umami sweetness and incomparable, enlivening energy.

To conduct the shading, tea farmers use either a traditional frame-and-thatch technique known as tana or modern materials such as black mesh or reflective shades that are erected over the bushes using parabolic hoops. They might alternatively be tightly wrapped to the bushes in a technique called kabuse. Each technique has its pros and cons. The farmers use these techniques to block approximately 70-85% of the sun’s energy from reaching the tea bushes. They often begin with several weeks of shading at around 70%, then increase the degree of shading incrementally as the harvest time nears.

While common grades of tencha are harvested by machine, the best grades with the most tender and sweet flavor are harvested by hand. Superior quality matcha greatly depends on the tea bush cultivar, shading technique, picking standard and milling practice used. Some grades are suited for traditional, ceremonial preparation, while others are fit for modern culinary applications.

Today, methods of enjoying matcha tea are immensely popular among foodies, third wave coffee crowds and active lifestyle consumers. Matcha is essentially the espresso of tea—prepare a “double shot” of matcha by making a bowl of thin tea and pour it into a demitasse glass to serve. The same double shot can be used as a base for iced matcha, green tea lattes or numerous other café creations. Its vibrant green color is what makes matcha a barista superstar’s dream ingredient.