Matcha: The Japanese Green Tea That Conquered the World

Matcha: The Japanese Green Tea That Conquered the World

🌱 What is matcha tea?

Matcha is made from high-quality green tea leaves that are dried after harvesting and ground into a fine matcha powder. Unlike regular green tea, matcha is not steeped – you consume the entire finely ground tea leaf.

Its taste is slightly grassy, mildly sweet, and known for its pleasant umami notes.

Matcha contains natural caffeine – around 30–40 mg per gram. Thanks to its combination of caffeine and naturally occurring compounds, it is often associated with a more gradual and balanced energy boost compared to coffee.

⛩️ Ceremonial vs. Culinary Matcha

Matcha is often divided into ceremonial grade (milder and sweeter, meant to be enjoyed on its own) and culinary grade (with a stronger flavor, better suited for lattes, baking, or smoothies).

🍵 How to prepare matcha?

You do not need much equipment, but the right tools will help you create a smooth drink without lumps and with a delicate foam.

  • A traditional set includes a bowl (chawan), a bamboo whisk (chasen) handmade from a single piece of bamboo, a bamboo scoop (chashaku), and a sieve.

💡 Tip: Traditional Japanese equipment isn't required, but it makes the preparation ritual more enjoyable. Matcha powder, a regular cup, and a whisk or milk frother will do just fine.

🎋 Classic matcha preparation:

You need:

  • 1 teaspoon of matcha powder (1–2 g) 
  • 60–70 ml of water at 70–80 °C
  • A whisk or frother

Method:

  1. Add matcha powder to a cup or bowl.
  2. Add a small amount of warm water.
  3. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps.
  4. Add more water according to your taste and enjoy a prepared cup of matcha tea.

🥣 Tips for the perfect matcha experience:

  • Sifting: Always sift matcha powder through a fine sieve first to prevent lumps.
  • Water temperature: Never use boiling water – the ideal temperature is 70–80 °C, otherwise matcha may become bitter.
  • Storage: After opening, keep matcha well sealed and store it in the refrigerator to preserve its color and flavor.

🥛 Homemade Matcha Latte Recipe:

Matcha latte is one of the most popular ways to enjoy matcha combining its bold flavor with the smoothness of milk to create a creamy, comforting drink.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon of matcha powder (1–2 g)
  • 60 ml of water at 70–80 °C
  • 200 ml of milk or plant-based drink
  • honey, sugar, or syrup to taste

Method:

  1. Mix matcha powder with warm water.
  2. Add heated or foamed milk.
  3. Sweeten according to taste.

🧊 In summer, try an iced matcha latte – simply add ice and cold milk or go for a ready made iced matcha milk tea.

💡 Tip: If you don’t feel like making a matcha latte from scratch, try an instant matcha latte for a quick and convenient alternative.

🍰 How to use matcha in cooking?

Thanks to its unique flavor and color, matcha is a popular ingredient in many recipes.

🍪 Matcha cookies

Add matcha powder to cookie dough to create a sweet treat with a delicate tea flavor and natural green color.

🥞 Matcha pancakes

Mix 1–2 teaspoons of matcha powder into pancake or crepe batter for an original breakfast.

🍨 Matcha desserts

Matcha is also perfect for homemade desserts: ice cream, cheesecakes, muffins, mochi, brownies, and others. If you don’t feel like baking or making a dessert, try matcha mochi, matcha bubble tea, matcha ice cream, or matcha popsicles.