In the world of beverages, few can match the elegant allure of a matcha drink. The mere mention of this vibrant green elixir evokes images of Japanese tea ceremonies and serene moments of sipping in tranquil gardens.
But the matcha experience extends far beyond its enchanting color and the earthy notes that greet the palate. It's a journey, a tradition, and a world of wonders waiting to be unraveled.
As we embark on this voyage, we will delve into the nuances of matcha, exploring its deep-seated cultural roots, time-honored traditions, and the profound sense of mindfulness that accompanies each sip.
While the taste of matcha is exquisite in its own right, our exploration transcends mere flavor.
We promise you a comprehensive journey that delves into the very heart and soul of this revered beverage, one that goes beyond just its taste, inviting you to uncover the secrets, stories, and beauty that make the matcha drink a true treasure in the world of beverages.
Why is Matcha Drink Getting Popular?
The popularity of matcha can be attributed to the trend of creating Instagram-worthy dishes and beverages.
Matcha's striking green colour makes it a popular addition to visually appealing beverages and sweets, and this has led to a rise in the number of posts featuring Matcha-infused treats on social media.
Matcha's singular taste is another factor contributing to its widespread acclaim. It tastes slightly sweet and grassy with a vegetal aftertaste. Matcha's adaptability has led to its incorporation into a wide range of applications, from desserts to skincare.
Finally, Matcha's popularity can also be attributed to the fact that it is a natural and healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks and caffeine sources. Many people are looking for ways to improve their overall health and wellbeing, and Matcha offers a natural solution. As a result, many people have taken to social media to talk about how Matcha has provided them with a healthy source of extra energy.
The Making of an Authentic Matcha Drink
The Japanese green tea, which is both highly caffeinated and a soothing ritual. This tea doesn't require steeping; rather, it's made by whisking a fine powder of gyokuro green tea with hot water.
It is revered for both its health benefits and its rich, vegetal flavour, making it a staple of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies (even when used in cooking).
- You'll need a matcha bowl (called a matcha-chawan), a chasen (a handmade bamboo whisk), a chashaku (a measuring ladle), a tea strainer, and, of course, matcha powder.
- Scoop 2 grammes, or about 112 teaspoons, of matcha powder into the strainer for a single cup of tea.
- Stir the matcha powder from around strainer with the ladle as you sift it into your tea bowl. This will prevent any clumps from forming in your tea, making it easier to drink.
- The powder, once sifted, should resemble this. Isn't it lovely?
- Tea should be brewed with water that has been cooled to between 180 and 190 degrees, so fill a cup halfway with boiling water (about a minute). Put the matcha powder in a bowl and slowly add the hot water.
- Use the chasen to mix the tea ingredients together. For watery, silky tea, use a slow, circular motion on the whisk, while a quick "M" or "W" will produce foamy, frothy tea. (Fun fact: there are subtle but discernible flavour and aroma differences between smooth and foamy tea.) The tea should be a vibrant green after being whisked for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Be cautious as you add the matcha to your teacup.
- The finished, foamy matcha tea is presented. Be sure to consume it immediately after making it, as the powder will sink to the bottom if left for too long.
- Three ladlefuls of premium matcha powder sifted through a fine mesh strainer yields an exceptionally thick cup of matcha. Prepare your tea as usual: fill a teacup with boiling water (about 2 ounces), then add half of that water to your powder. Whisk in a clockwise and anticlockwise motion to thoroughly incorporate the powder into the water. Avoid adding all the water at once, as doing so will cause clumping.
- Next, add the remaining water to your tea bowl and whisk in rainbow-shaped motions and small, gentle circles. Serve in individual teacups after whisking the thick tea until it is completely smooth.
Matcha Beyond Traditional Tea
Matcha Lattes
A matcha latte offers the ideal combination of earthy matcha as well as smooth steamed milk. This modern drink elevates the classic matcha tea to a luxurious new level of smoothness. It's a visual and textural feast, thanks to its lush green colour and silky smoothness.
Whether you're a seasoned matcha fan or just trying out this vibrant green elixir for the first time, a matcha latte is sure to please.
Matcha Smoothies
Enjoy the synergistic effects of antioxidants, vitamins, & minerals in a matcha smoothie to jumpstart your day. This novel drink combines the health benefits of matcha with those of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and yoghurt.
The end product is a delicious and nutritious energy drink that will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised. Drinking this is like giving your body a treat that goes above and beyond the standard matcha preparation.
Cold Brew Matcha
A glass of cold brew matcha is the perfect beverage for cooling off on a hot day. Steeping premium matcha in cold water is a novel method of preparation that yields a refreshingly cool and stimulating drink.
Cold brew matcha's soothing sweetness and mild bitterness are a welcome relief from the heat. On hot summer days, this refreshing beverage served over ice is the perfect companion.
Matcha With Lemonade
Mixing matcha with lemonade adds a tangy twist to the classic refreshing beverage. This unique drink combines the earthy, rich flavour of matcha with the bright, refreshing taste of lemonade.
The end result is a revitalising and refreshing blend of flavours that dances on the tongue.
Matcha lemonade is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate, thanks to the matcha's vibrant green colour and the lemonade's cheerful yellow hue.
Matcha In Pastries
Enjoy the delightful combination of matcha and baked goods. Matcha is being used in a wide variety of sweets in a very creative way in the kitchen.
Matcha-flavored baked goods, such as cakes and cookies, as well as ice creams and custards, feature a rich, earthy matcha flavour that pairs wonderfully with the sugary sweetness of confections.
Traditional matcha tea is elevated to a new level of culinary pleasure with each bite's symphony of flavours. This matcha-infused dessert is the result of a marriage between two of my favourite things: tea and sweets.
Health Benefits Of Matcha
Caffeine & amino acids abound in matcha. Matcha, like green tea, is rich in antioxidants, including the catechins that have been shown to reduce cell damage and disease risk. There is some evidence that the catechins or rather caffeine in matcha can aid in weight loss & management on a very small scale.
Matcha could potentially:
Encourage Heart Health
Matcha contains compounds that, like those in green tea, have been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, especially when compared to coffee.
Matcha & green tea contain catechins, which have anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-reducing properties.
They are excellent for the cardiovascular system and may reduce the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries), hypertension, and heart disease.
Could Boost Brain Function
Matcha could offer short-term cognitive enhancement. Matcha eaters and drinkers outperformed a control group on measures of focus, memory, and reaction time in a small study.
More studies are necessary to comprehend the potential effects of matcha on brain function, but scientists suspect that it is the caffeine inside the matcha that is responsible.
May Shield The Liver
Both green tea & matcha have been shown to have beneficial effects on the liver. Green tea consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of developing liver cancer, according to a meta-analysis.
Green tea extracts & supplements have been linked to liver damage in some research. Try drinking pure green teas as well as premium matcha instead of taking a supplement.
Nutrition Of Matcha
There aren't many nutrients in matcha. However, the caffeine and antioxidants in it may improve mental performance and lower the risk of certain diseases.
The matcha use also has:
- Catechins (epigallocatechin-3-gallate)
- Theanine
- Polyphenols
- Chlorophyll, lutein, and quercetin (plant pigments)
Nutritional Value Per Serving
One gramme, or about half a teaspoon, of matcha powder has:
- Energy: 3
- One gramme of protein.
- 0 grammes of fat
- Zero grammes of carbohydrates
- One gramme of fibre
- 0 grammes of sugar
Serving Sizes
Matcha is most commonly used as a tea additive or in baking. Matcha is low in calories as well as sugar by itself, but its nutritional value can increase or decrease depending on how it is prepared.
Defending Against Cancer
Matcha contains catechins that may prevent DNA damage to cells and tumour growth, specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). More research is needed, but animal studies suggest that EGCG may help prevent certain cancers.
Promoting Dental Health
The EGCG in matcha inhibits the development of cavity-causing bacteria. Matcha was also discovered to be better at eliminating bad breath than mints, chewing, or parsley-seed oil in a laboratory study. It has the potential to alleviate gum disease symptoms as well.
Inflammation Reduction
Green teas, including matcha, contain antioxidants that shield cells from free radical damage. Inflammation is reduced, and some chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease are avoided.
Beauty Benefits Of Matcha
Matcha, particularly when incorporated into products like Juju Blends, offers a multitude of beauty benefits, contributing to glowing skin, stronger hair, and an overall enhancement in beauty routines.
Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins, which help combat the damaging effects of free radicals. When applied topically or consumed regularly, matcha can have a transformative impact on one's appearance.
The benefits to your skin from using this ingredient are truly fascinating. What to expect from incorporating matcha into your skincare routine.
- Protects Against Sun Damage: Chlorophyll, found in abundance in matcha, is beneficial to the skin. In plants, what role does chlorophyll play? It takes in sunlight and turns it into usable energy. Chlorophyll in skincare products acts as a UV filter by soaking up radiation before it can damage the skin. Chlorophyll does more than that, however; it also protects the skin from the photoaging effects of the sun. Matcha's high chlorophyll content promotes healthy skin and a more youthful appearance.
- Helps Control Acne: Have you ever pondered the efficacy of topical acne solutions? The powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is to thank for this improvement in acne. Acne is a known result of increased sebum production within skin. Epigallocatechin gallate is found in matcha (EGCG). Matcha's anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, as well as its ability to reduce sebum production, have made it a popular beverage. Additionally, EGCG aids in protecting the skin from the harmful effects of pollution as well as other environmental factors.
- Promotes Better Blood Circulation: Matcha can be used to achieve visibly brighter, glowing skin. Its high concentration of antioxidants makes it a great choice for improving skin circulation. With increased circulation, more oxygen and nutrients can be carried to the body's cells, and waste products can be flushed out more quickly. Rapid skin recovery is another benefit of better blood flow. The methylxanthines in matcha improve the skin's microcirculation, resulting in a healthy, radiant glow.
- Soothes Inflammation: Inflammation develops as a body's cells react to foreign invaders, such as bacteria or wounds. It's evidence of the body fixing itself. Matcha's anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants put minds at ease and bring relief to troubled cells. Clearer pores, less redness, and radiant skin are the results of this decrease in inflammation. Matcha green tea has many health benefits, and applying it topically or drinking it will give you the most noticeable results.
- Boosts Skin Rejuvenation: Matcha is an excellent present because it refreshes the skin. Caffeine and tannins in the tea are beneficial to the delicate skin all over your eyes. They reduce under-eye puffiness and discoloration to make you look more awake. Matcha's vitamin content makes it a great addition to skincare products. This method ensures a mild and all-natural cleansing for your skin.
Incorporating matcha into your beauty routine can be as simple as sipping a cup of matcha tea daily or using matcha-infused products like those offered by Juju Blends.
These products provide a convenient way to harness the beauty-enhancing properties of matcha, ensuring that you not only enjoy its internal benefits but also reap the rewards of its topical application.
With its impressive array of antioxidants, matcha is a natural and holistic way to achieve glowing skin, stronger hair, and an overall enhancement in your beauty regimen.
The Matcha Experience: More than Just a Drink
Envision yourself strolling through a verdant forest right after a summer rain. The air is heavy with the aroma of newly fallen leaves. That's roughly how Matcha in its liquid form tastes. The Japanese word for "delicious," "umami," describes its deep, earthy taste.
I'm curious, though, just how Matcha tastes. So, it has a bittersweet flavour. The initial taste may be grassy, but it quickly gives way to a gentle sweetness. Some have compared it to the flavour of sweetened spinach or seaweed.
How does Matcha compare in flavour to other beverages? Matcha latte is a more refined take on traditional matcha tea, as anyone who has tried it can attest. The latte's milk reduces the intensity of the Matcha's flavour, making it more mellow and creamy. In case you were wondering, Matcha latte is sweeter and creamier than regular Matcha tea.
The uniqueness of each individual's Matcha experience is part of the tea's appeal. The intensity may be just right for some but too much for others. It's a flavour you won't find just anywhere, that much is certain. If you're interested, try it out for yourself.
Matcha Drink: Variations Across Borders
In most parts of the world, traditional matcha tea is the most widely consumed matcha beverage. Most individuals throughout Japan, China, India, as well as other East Asian countries drink it in this fashion. But in the United States, you can find a wide variety of matcha beverages.
- Matcha Latte: This beverage is made by combining matcha powder with steamed milk. You can use sugar or honey to sweeten the beverage. Matcha's earthy, bitter flavour pairs wonderfully with the smooth, creamy texture. Many people who love matcha and need a pick-me-up in the summertime opt for an iced matcha latte.
- Matcha Frappuccino: There's a good reason why it's among Starbucks' best-selling beverages. Matcha, milk, ice, & sugar or sweetener make an already great combination. However, many people's tastes change once whipped cream is added to the top of the beverage.
- Matcha Smoothie: If you're looking for just a good health beverage that can also satisfy your hunger, this one is a great choice. Blending matcha with bananas, almond milk, & spinach creates a smoothie that is not only energising but also high in antioxidants.
- Matcha Lemonade: Lemon juice and matcha powder go wonderfully together. The resulting matcha beverage is a delicious and healthy addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. Adding a sweetener such as brown honey or sugar is advised due to the potency of both flavours.
- Matcha Bubble Tea: Boba tea is a popular beverage in Asia that is made by mixing tapioca pearls, matcha powder, and milk. You can use almond as well as coconut milk to create a chewy texture for this Asian-inspired beverage.
- Matcha Shot: If you need a quick boost of energy, this concentrated matcha is for you. The typical range is 1-2 ounces. You can take a matcha shot on its own, or you can add something to it, like grape juice, milk, rather than lemon juice.
- Matcha Mojito: There has been a recent uptick in the consumption of matcha-based drinks. Without a shadow of a doubt, the matcha Mojito is the most well-liked. Limes, mint, syrup, club soda, & matcha powder go into this refreshing drink. White rum can be used to give the drink some kick if that's what you're going for. Matcha green Russians and matcha gin sours are also common.
Matcha's Caffeine Content vs. Regular Coffee
Familiarity with caffeine's physiological effects is crucial. Many of us rely on caffeine, a neurological stimulant that occurs naturally in about 60 different plants such as tea and coffee.
Caffeine has many positive effects, including improved attention and reaction time, increased energy and endurance, and enhanced strength for strenuous physical activity.
You might feel the need to use the restroom immediately following your morning cup of joe because coffee is also a gastric stimulant. As a vasoconstrictor, it also raises blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.
Caffeine's effects can range from pleasant and helpful for some to unpleasant and detrimental for others. Below, we've compared the caffeine in coffee to that in matcha green tea to help you decide if the latter is a better choice for your diet.
Most of us know that coffee has a lot of caffeine in it. Caffeine can help people who are feeling tired or need a quick burst of energy, but it also has some negative side effects.
Coffee Caffeine Content
The 120 milligrammes of caffeine in a typical cup of coffee is a sizable amount. Caffeine in coffee has a rapid absorption rate and provides a temporary boost in energy, but it also has some undesirable side effects. Too much coffee can cause agitation, anxiety, a racing heart, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Matcha Green Tea Caffeine Content
Matcha, on the reverse hand, has caffeine as well, though its chemical makeup is different from coffee's. Caffeine levels in matcha green tea are roughly half those in coffee.
Caffeine in matcha is absorbed more slowly by the body because it lacks certain phytonutrients found in coffee, such as L-theanine. Matcha green tea provides the benefits of caffeine without the jitters or crash associated with coffee, keeping you alert for a longer period of time.
Caffeine in matcha does have a calming effect, according to many users. What a wonderful way to start the day!
You can now understand why so many people are ditching coffee in favour of matcha. Matcha green tea's soothing alertness may be preferable to the jolt of caffeine found in coffee as a morning wake-up beverage. So, what do you think?
Keeping Your Matcha Fresh
In addition, you shouldn't put the container near a window, but rather in a cool, dark place. Opaque or dark-colored vacuum containers are preferable because they block out light.
Food Pairings For Matcha
Matcha, a green tea powder, complements many different tastes and ingredients.
Black sesame plants add a subtle earthiness to the vibrant matcha flavour, while citrous fruits such as orange, lemon, & lime amp up the matcha's intensity.
Bananas, with their neutral sweetness that complements matcha without masking its flavour, make for a simple but delightful pairing.
- Mochi: It would be remiss of me not to mention mochi when discussing complementary flavours to matcha. Pounding glutinous rice into a soft and stretchy dough yields mochi, a type of rice dough. Daifuku are made by rolling out rice dough and wrapping it around fillings like anko (sweet azuki fermented tofu). Popular toppings for daifuku include kinako (roasted soybean flour) and sesame seeds. With a bowl of green tea, especially matcha, this can be a delicious snack. Wagashi is often misunderstood; although it is sweet, it serves more as a palate cleanser than a dessert. The sweetness may be underwhelming if you're used to more traditional Western sweets. The bitterness of matcha can be mitigated by eating this alongside it, without altering the flavour of the matcha itself.
- Wagashi: You can't go wrong with wagashi as a matcha accompaniment. Similar ingredients can be found in other types of wagashi. Wagashi comes in a wide variety of styles, from the elaborate ones used in tea ceremonies to the more straightforward Doryaki and Dango. Like mochi, these sweets aren't as overpoweringly sugary as, say, a cupcake, but they do have just enough sweetness to leave a pleasant aftertaste. This makes them the ideal accompaniment to a cup of matcha, as their sweetness can balance out the bitterness. Flavors that pair well with matcha are typically sweet and not overpowering, like these. Overpowering flavours, on the other hand, will compete with the matcha.
- Fozen yogurt: Frozen yoghurt is another food that has a sweet but otherwise unremarkable taste. If you want to avoid a bitter contrast between the matcha and the frozen yoghurt, go with a neutral flavour like vanilla. Making a matcha paste to either drizzle over or incorporate into the frozen yoghurt is one option. This method can be used to create vanilla ice cream or matcha frozen yoghurt.
- Cocoa powder: It's possible that cocoa powder isn't one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of matcha pairings. It's okay to add a little cocoa powder to your matcha, but don't go crazy. Both chocolate & matcha have distinct, robust flavour profiles, but they couldn't be more dissimilar. When comparing matcha and chocolate, the former leans more towards the grassy and otherwise steamed vegetable notes, while the latter leans more towards the warmer or darker flavours. These two tastes are diametrically opposed to one another and do not complement one another. However, if you sprinkle a little cocoa powder over your matcha, you may find that it enhances the flavour. As long as you don't overdo it, these complement matcha well. Give it a shot and give us some feedback on how it goes.
- White chocolate and wafers: White chocolate is always at the very top of flavours that complement matcha. White chocolate lacks cocoa, making it taste more buttery & neutral than dark chocolate. This is the ideal food to eat with matcha because it is sweet and silky, mitigating some of the bitterness, but not so intense that it overpowers the matcha. This can also be a good option for those who prefer white chocolate that contains wafers.
- Orange, Lemon and lime: We've already established that the matcha doesn't seem to go well with the citrusy flavours, but if you love citrous fruits, you should definitely give this combination a shot. The matcha's flavour and aftertaste will intensify as you steep it longer. We suggest trying one of the other pairings on this list if you find this one too strong.
- Black Sesame: Sesame, also known as benne, is the seed of a flowering plant with in genus Sesamum. Africa and India are residence to many of their closest relatives in the wild. Matcha goes particularly well with black sesame seeds, which are commonly sprinkled over daifuku. Black sesame's mild earthy flavours and subtle sweetness pair nicely with the bolder matcha flavours. It seems like black sesame goes with everything, and matcha is no different.
- Oat Milk: Oatmilk is a natural complement to matcha and should be included on any list of complementary flavours. The "neutral sweet" flavour described earlier finds perfect expression here. That's why oatmilk is rapidly gaining favour as a base for matcha lattes. It's less sour and has a sweeter flavour than regular milk. Even though oatmilk and matcha don't go together like peanut butter and jelly, they complement each other nicely. If you like matcha lattes, you should try making one with oatmilk.
- Banana: We included banana on our Instagram list of matcha-friendly flavours because it tastes great with matcha. We just mixed up a tiny bit of koicha paste & dipped a banana in it to see how they compared. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours was spot-on, making the banana seem more like a dessert ingredient than a breakfast food. It's incredible, but this is yet another case of the "neutral sweet" phenomenon, in which two seemingly unrelated flavours pair perfectly. The sweetness of the banana mellows the intensity of the matcha, without adding any overpowering notes of its own. Bananas are the best choice if you're wondering which fruits complement matcha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are matcha drinks healthy?
Matcha helps support the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system—preventing plaque build-up, thickening of heart tissue, as well as other conditions such as heart attacks.
Can you drink matcha without milk?
Traditional matcha green tea is made with just green tea powder and water, but you can also easily make a latte by finishing your drink with steamed milk.
What happens if I drink matcha tea everyday?
Drinking matcha every day results in a noticeable mood boost, optimized all-day energy, and potential benefits like weight loss, heart health, lower blood pressure, metabolism balance, and even cancer-fighting properties.
When should I drink matcha?
The best time to drink Matcha green tea is between 8 a.m. and 12 noon or during an early afternoon. Why? - Because this specific timing is considered as the best time for your body's digestive system to best metabolize nutrients.
Which is healthier green tea or matcha?
While both green tea and matcha are extremely high in antioxidants, matcha contains more antioxidants than green tea for the same reason that it contains more caffeine. Because matcha is a much more concentrated form of green tea, the antioxidant levels are correspondingly higher.
Conclusion
Matcha drink is a traditional Japanese beverage known for its vibrant green color and numerous health benefits. The key components of matcha include finely ground green tea leaves, which are shade-grown to enhance their flavor and nutritional content.
The preparation of matcha involves whisking the powdered tea with hot water, creating a frothy and rich-tasting beverage. This process ensures that you consume the whole tea leaf, maximizing its antioxidant content and potential health advantages.
Matcha is celebrated for its ability to boost metabolism, improve concentration, and provide a steady energy release due to the presence of L-theanine. Additionally, it contains chlorophyll, which contributes to its distinctive color and offers detoxifying properties.
Overall, the matcha drink is a delightful and healthful choice for those seeking a unique and invigorating beverage.
