You may have noticed that matcha has made its way to every cafe and flavor menu. From milktea to ice cream flavors, it seems that matcha is a new staple that can be found pretty much everywhere, but have you ever thought to yourself what matcha is exactly and where it comes from? Let’s explore the history of matcha and why it is now so popular.
Matcha comes from two Japanese words that have been combined. ‘Matsu’ means to ground or rub while ‘cha’ means tea. Matcha has been part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years now. Contrary to pop culture, matcha is not made everyday as a regular drink. It is used by Buddhist monks for religious practices. It is thought that drinking matcha helps to improve meditation and being in a Zen state.
If you’re an avid matcha drinker then you know there is a specific way to make this green drink. You would also know that it can be more expensive to purchase matcha powder than other powder based drinks. There’s a real good reason why good matcha powder is sometimes difficult to find and can be quite pricey.
Matcha is made from the leaves of the Tencha bush and the best quality matcha is made in the Uji region of Japan. What’s special about the growing process is that around 400 years ago farmers realized that the bushes that grew in the shade of trees and such produced less harsh flavored leaves than the ones that grow in direct sunlight. Producers now use tarps to limit the sunlight that reaches the plants. When it comes to harvesting the leaves, it is done by hand which is more costly than using machines. If you do happen to come across cheap matcha then it could be that the leaves are not from the Uji region or that it may be a blend of leaves from different places which also means the quality might not be up to par.
After the harvesting process, the leaves are then steamed. This is to avoid them losing their green color and to stop the oxidation. This process also preserves the nutritional value of the leaves. After steaming, the leaves are then dried, sorted, and de-stemmed. Then it is ground into a powder. However, even the grinding process is different. High quality matcha is stone-ground, it does not go through a machine or even a mill. It is stone ground to ensure the quality and consistency of the powder remains up to standard.
Although matcha is sometimes more expensive than coffee and other drinks, the demand for it is still so high. It may be due to its health benefits. If you are looking to cut down on your caffeine or you want an alternative to coffee then join the matcha craze. It has many positive benefits such as it is high in antioxidants. This is great for fighting free radicals that can cause diseases in the body. If you are looking for an energy boost but are looking at cutting down on coffee, matcha is a great alternative. Matcha has a higher caffeine content than other regular teas. Although it is not as caffeinated as coffee, it still has a decent amount to help boost your energy. The best part is that you won’t get that jittery or shaky feeling from consuming it, unlike when it comes to coffee. Consuming matcha also has positive effects on the brain. Some studies show that people who drink matcha have improved memory and have increased attention.
If your tastebuds enjoy the earthy flavor of matcha then you’re already one step closer to enjoying this drink and reaping its many health benefits. Just like coffee drinkers, matcha drinkers know that there are specific tools and steps to creating a great cup of matcha. Primarily, what’s different about creating this drink is that it is usually whisked. That is how the frothy consistency is achieved.
There are many reasons why matcha has made its way into the mainstream drink trends and flavor mania, and if you are brave enough to try, you too might just hop on this green craze.
