What is Matcha?

Let's take a moment to imagine how lucky we are to have a cup of tea that not only delights our taste buds but also powers up our energy and wellness at the same time. Yes, we are talking about that vibrant, creamy, and frothy sensation that comes to us with a rich culture and heritage –Matcha!

Matcha was a staple drink in Japanese culture and is cherished even today for its ceremonial values and health benefits. This steaming cup of tea has recently crossed its national boundaries to meet its rising global popularity, owing to its unique flavor and health benefits. Unlike any other regular tea that comes in different leaf shapes and sizes, matcha is a fine powder that packs loads of antioxidants and nutrients.

Matcha originates from the tender leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis); however, the growing and processing style of this tea makes it a unique drink compared to others. It all starts with shade-grown tea leaves resulting in many beneficial chemical reactions including increased chlorophyll and amino-acid. This shade-growing phase creates a stunning green hue, reduces bitterness and leads to a unique umami flavor profile.

From the harvesting point, tea leaves are handled very delicately. They are picked by hand and go through a steaming and drying phase to halt their natural oxidation. This step helps preserve the vibrant green appearance of matcha.

After drying, the stems and veins are removed from tea leaves to produce what is called tencha.

The final stage of pulverizing tencha is very unique as tea producers utilize an authentic stone mill to grind matcha slowly and finely. This process of grinding can take up to 24 hours for just 1 pound of matcha.