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 .
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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.
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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 .
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