Matcha has already won our hearts. The famous bright green tea powder from Japan is not only delicious to drink, it also has many health benefits. But for the matcha beginner, it can be quite an intimidating product and you probably have no idea where to start. What is matcha? How do you make matcha? What do you need as a matcha beginner? No worries! We are happy to help you get started.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially cultivated green tea leaves. It differs from regular green tea in that you drink the whole leaves, because they are ground into powder, which you mix with water. Because you drink the entire tea leaf, you get all the nutrients and antioxidants that the leaves have to offer.

The production process begins by shielding the tea plants a few weeks before harvest to stimulate chlorophyll growth, which gives it its characteristic bright green colour and rich, umami flavour. What is umami? It is the fifth basic taste that people often describe as savoury, salty and a little broth-like.

The Health Benefits of Matcha

Matcha is known for its many health benefits, including:

• Rich in antioxidants: particularly catechins such as EGCG, which can help fight free radicals.
• Increased energy and focus: thanks to the combination of caffeine and L-theanine, which can provide calm alertness without nervousness.
• Immune system support: antibacterial and antiviral properties that can contribute to a stronger immune system.
• Weight loss and metabolism: matcha can contribute to increased fat burning and stimulate the metabolism.
• Heart health: can help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.

What do you need to prepare matcha?

To start preparing matcha, you need a few basic accessories that will give you the best matcha tea:

• Preferably one of good quality, such as our Ceremonial Matcha. This is one of the highest quality matcha, suitable for drinking pure matcha. Do you prefer a latte? Then try our Beginner Matcha.
• Chawan (matcha bowl). A wide, shallow bowl that is ideal for whisking matcha.
• Chasen (bamboo whisk). A traditional bamboo whisk with fine bristles that help to whisk the matcha until it has a nice frothy head.
• Chashaku (bamboo spoon). A special spoon for measuring the correct amount of matcha powder. You need 2 scoops per cup.
• Sieve. To sift the matcha powder so that you don't get lumps in your tea.

Traditional Preparation of Matcha

How to prepare matcha tea. It takes a little time and attention, but then you will have a wonderful cup of matcha tea to enjoy!

Preparing pure matcha tea

1. Pour hot water into the chawan to warm it up, then pour the water away and dry the bowl.
2. Use a sieve to sift 1-2 matcha spoons (2-4 grams) of matcha powder into the bowl.
3. Add approximately 60-80 ml of hot water (not boiling, around 80°C) to the matcha.
4. Use the chasen to quickly whisk the matcha in an ‘M’ or ‘W’ motion until a smooth foam layer forms. This takes about 20-30 seconds.

Preparing Matcha Latte

For those who prefer a softer, creamier version, a matcha latte is an excellent choice:

1. Follow the steps above to whisk the matcha powder with a small amount of hot water to make a cup of pure matcha.
2. Heat the milk Whisk about 200 ml of milk of your choice in a milk frother.
3. Pour the frothed milk into the bowl or cup with the prepared matcha. Stir gently to combine and add a sweetener of your choice, such as honey or agave syrup.

Tips for Beginners

1. Start with our Beginner Matcha when drinking matcha as a latte. Once you are used to the taste, we recommend using higher quality matcha powder, such as our Ceremonial Matcha.
2. Store your matcha in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Matcha that is not stored properly quickly loses its quality, causing it to taste bitter.
3. Try different amounts of matcha and water to find the flavour you like best. You can also experiment with different types of milk and sweeteners for your matcha latte.
4. Whisking matcha may take some practice at first, but with patience and consistency, you'll soon achieve the perfect frothy texture!

Matcha is a versatile drink that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. Whether you enjoy a traditional bowl of matcha or a creamy matcha latte, its health benefits and rich flavour profile make it well worth the effort.