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What is matcha tea | How to make matcha tea | What not to do when making matcha tea | Where to buy matcha tea Matcha tea is the king of teas. This Japanese green tea is so pure, unique, and complex that it has no rival in the tea world. In Asia, it's revered for its health benefits and is the star of the Japanese tea ceremony. Read on to learn how to prepare it optimally. What is matcha tea? Matcha is a finely powdered green tea traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony . In the 12th century, when the monk Eisai introduced tea to Japan, it was customary in China to grind the leaves into a powder before beating them in a bowl. This was the era of beaten tea. This preparation method, later abandoned by the Chinese, was adopted by the Japanese, who incorporated it into the Chanoyu ritual. The finest matcha tea comes from the indoor plantations of the Uji region. After processing, the leaves undergo a specific sorting process. To produce plant material that can be easily ground into a fine powder, the veins are removed from the leaves. This produces tencha, which is ground between millstones . RELATED INFORMATION Matcha Tea Guide: Benefits, Grades, Accessories How to prepare matcha tea correctly? The preparation method for matcha tea is very different from other teas. Instead of boiling or infusing it, matcha tea is simply dissolved in hot water . However, to properly dissolve matcha powder, you need more than just a teapot and a spoon. Brewing a perfect cup of this tea is an art in Japan. To prepare matcha tea at home, you will need these accessories : A chawan or bowl A chashaku or measuring spoon A chasen or bamboo whisk A colander You can replace the chawan and chashaku with a regular bowl and spoon, but this will take away the magic and sophistication of the matcha preparation ritual. These are the steps for preparing matcha tea the traditional way : Place all the utensils on the table in front of you in an orderly manner. Use filtered or mineral water. Bring it to a boil and let it cool for two minutes (approximately 80°C). While you wait for the water to cool, preheat the chawan or bowl with hot water and dry it with a kitchen towel. Pass two measures of chashaku or half a teaspoon of matcha through the sieve over the chawan or bowl. Pour about 70 ml of the water you have heated into the chawan or bowl. Beat with the chasen or bamboo whisk, making "w"-shaped movements until you obtain a smooth liquid with a light foam. Drink the matcha tea next. Clean utensils with hot or warm water after use. RELATED INFORMATION How to Make the Best Matcha Latte? Recipe and Tips Things you shouldn't do when preparing matcha tea For an optimal experience with your matcha tea, here's a list of common mistakes people make when preparing this tea to keep in mind: Never use a wet measuring spoon when scooping matcha powder. This would cause the matcha in the tin to spoil much more quickly. Don't use boiling water when preparing matcha. Let it cool for a few minutes, or if you have a tea thermometer , wait until the water reaches 80°C. Don't use unsifted matcha powder. Everyone has a sieve at home. Sifting it prevents clumps of powder from remaining in the bowl. Whisk the matcha powder vigorously, but do so carefully and without pressing the chasen against the bottom of the bowl, as it could break. Don't wait for matcha to cool before drinking it, as it will lose its flavor and creamy texture. Don't forget to clean the chasen after using it, or it will be very difficult to clean later. Where to buy matcha tea? Nowadays, it's easy to find matcha tea in supermarkets, but we recommend purchasing it from specialty tea shops. Make sure the matcha tea is Japanese and ceremonial grade, which is the type used in the Japanese tea ceremony. At Replantea, you can buy 100% organic, ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha tea . You'll also find all the necessary accessories and matcha starter packs . RELATED INFORMATION Matcha Tea Helps Lose Weight, Increases Energy and Relaxation 4 Benefits of Matcha for Your Skin

Sweet, aromatic, and spicy chai latte tea is taking the world by storm. Originating in India, where it's commonly drunk after meals for its digestive properties, chai latte tea has been gaining popularity in the West and is now commonly found in almost any coffee shop.

If you ever have the chance to visit Morocco, you have to try Moroccan tea. This unique tea holds great cultural and social significance, and it's delicious too. Read on to learn more about its history and learn how to make it at home.

Did you know you can re-infuse loose tea and make another cup or two with the same tea leaves? So when you make another cup of tea, don't throw away the leaves. Many teas are famous for their ability to retain their flavor after re-infusion. In fact, in China, the first infusion is often thrown away.

The way you prepare loose leaf tea can make the difference between an amazing tea experience and a lackluster one. Tea brewing is very easy to learn once you know a few general rules . So, here's our guide on everything you need to know to make the perfect cup of tea. The rule of the three Ts First, remember this simple rule before making loose tea: Tea type , Water temperature , and Steeping time . Different types of tea have different temperatures and ideal steeping times to achieve the best flavor. For this reason, take a minute to consider the three teas before making your tea. Tea type: What type of tea do you want to make? Green tea leaves, for example, are more delicate and fresh than black tea leaves, so they can be steeped at a lower temperature and don't need to be steeped for as long. Herbal teas, on the other hand, don't contain the leaves of the Camellia sinensis tea plant, so they can steep much longer than tea without becoming astringent or bitter. Water Temperature: Depending on the type of tea you're making, you'll need to use different water temperatures. The best way to ensure the right temperature is to use a temperature-controlled electric kettle or a tea thermometer . If you don't have one handy, a full boil occurs when the water reaches 100°C (212°F), and when bubbles begin to appear, it's 85°C (185°F). You can also bring the water to a boil and let it cool for 1 to 3 minutes before adding the tea leaves. Steeping Time: If you steep the tea for too short a time, it may seem tasteless or watery. If you steep the tea for too long, you risk making it bitter and astringent. For this reason, it's important to monitor the steeping time. Type of tea Temperature Time White tea 75 to 85 ºC 2 to 3 minutes Green tea 75 to 90 ºC 2 to 3 minutes Oolong tea 80 to 90 ºC 3 to 6 minutes Black tea 90 to 100 ºC 3 to 5 minutes Red tea 85 to 95 ºC 3 to 5 minutes Infusions 100 ºC 5 to 10 minutes Remember that these recommendations are general. It's best to ask at your local tea shop or follow the labeling recommendations for each tea. Heating water to prepare loose tea You've already chosen the type of tea you're going to make and know the temperature and steeping time. Now we'll give you some tips on the best methods for heating the water: - Kettle: The best thing about this accessory is that you just need to plug it in and it automatically shuts off when the water reaches a boil, in just a couple of minutes. Some kettles even have temperature control so you can adjust the exact temperature based on the type of tea you choose. - Small pot or saucepan: If you don't have a kettle, no problem. Just boil water in a small saucepan to make your cup of tea. - Don't use a microwave: Although it's a very quick way to heat water, it's not recommended. A microwave doesn't heat water evenly, and different microwaves have different heat settings, so there's no consistent setting for boiling water. Even if bubbles appear after a minute or so, it doesn't mean the water has fully boiled. And since there's no way to measure the boiling point in a microwave, it's also easy to overheat the water. Add extras to the tea Milk, sugar, lemon. Did you know that tea wasn't originally served with any of these popular additions today? Drinking tea with milk and sugar was popularized by the British and later the Americans in the 18th century, when sugar imports from the Caribbean islands skyrocketed. Lemon was another popular addition among the English at afternoon tea. Guests were offered a choice of milk or lemon slices, never both at the same time, as the lemon can cause the milk to curdle. Owning these accessories was a luxury at this time, as they were expensive, so they became a sign of wealth and status. Furthermore, imported tea at the time was of low quality, so the additives helped flavor it and mask its taste. Nowadays, it's possible to find quality tea in specialty stores, so you can drink tea the way it was done in the past and is still done in producing countries. For this reason, we recommend drinking loose tea without additives , just as you would a good wine. This way, you'll be able to better appreciate the delicate and subtle flavors of authentic tea. Reinfusing loose tea High-quality loose tea , unlike tea bags, can be re-infused. This way, you'll get more out of your tea by making more cups with the same tea leaves. If you'd like to know how to do it properly, you can read our article on Re-infusing Tea . This short guide is valid for most loose teas , but there are other teas or preparations that require different steps. You'll find other useful guides on our blog: PREPARE TEA LIKE AN EXPERT How to Make Iced Tea? The 3 Best Methods >> How to Prepare Matcha Tea Correctly >> Make Chai Latte Tea like a Barista >> How to Make Moroccan Tea or Green Tea with Mint >>

Kombucha has arrived in Spain like a storm. It's associated with numerous health benefits and you can find it in trendy restaurants and gourmet shops. But you can also make kombucha step by step at home following this complete guide.