What does matcha tea taste like?

You might have seen many amazing matcha tea pictures on social media but do know what does Matcha tea taste like or it just only looks good?

Generally, the taste of any food and drink is dependent on its aroma, flavour, and texture. Matcha tea’s flavor profile is quite different than other teas; it has a slight vegetable note and grassy aroma because Matcha is a powder of actual leaves. It also has other flavors such as little bitterness, Mild sweetness, smooth and creamy texture, and slightly nutty flavour. It’s such a unique combination of flavors and tastes well with the goodness of milk.

Let get to know more about Matcha Tea!

What is Matcha Tea?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder, which made from finely powdered dried tea leaves. Matcha tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant; green tea and black tea variants have also come from the same plant. For Matcha tea, tea leaves are specially grown in the shade for three weeks. Shading helps in developing the right composition of nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, and earthy flavors. Also, it intensifies the green color of matcha tea. Matcha tea is specially grown in two regions of Japan, Nishio in Aichi and Uji in Kyoto.

Once tea leaves are ready, leaves are selectively handpicked. Then leaves are graded based on texture and taste. In the next step, leaves are steamed and air-dried. And in the final step, leaves are ground to a fine powder. This fine powder is called Matcha. It means that Matcha is made of the whole leaf; hence, the caffeine, nutrient, and antioxidants % are more in Matcha than green tea or black tea.

Why is Matcha expensive?

The simple answer is that it takes intense labor and time to produce high-quality matcha tea. Also, the process of developing the right notes in matcha tea takes a specific process and time, which increase its price value in the market as an ingredient,

What are the Benefits of Matcha powder?

1. Rich in antioxidants: Matcha powder contains concentrated antioxidants because matcha tea is made of whole leaf powder. One cup of match tea is approximately equivalent to 10 cups of green tea. Antioxidants help in defending our body against infection and diseases.
2. Improve Brain Functioning: Drinking matcha tea helps in improving mood and improve concentration and alertness.
3. Boost Metabolism and burn calories: Matcha tea is rich in catechins that increase thermogenesis, enhancing the rate of burning calories.
4. Calming mind: It helps in body relaxation; matcha tea activates dopamine and serotonin receptors. Dopamine release creates the feeling of pleasure, motivation, and rewards, which helps comfort our mind and allow us to relax. Serotonin helps in balancing our mood, feeling of well-being, and happiness.
5. Act as a detox: It naturally detox the body, Matcha contains chlorophyll more than any other herbal tea and chlorophyll help body to remove toxin and waste from the body. Hence it also acts as a detox drink.
6. Vitamin & Minerals: Matcha powder is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains Vitamin C, Selenium, Chromium, Zinc and Magnesium, and many more.
7. Rich in fiber: Since Matcha is composed of an entire leaf, it contains much fiber, unlike any other green vegetable.

Due to many health benefits, Matcha tea is also known as a superfood in the modern food dictionary.

How to make Matcha tea / Matcha Latte?

Ingredients:

• Matcha tea powder: ¼ teaspoon
• Hot milk/ water: 210ml
• Sweetener: Honey/sugar/maple syrup/stevia (optional)

Recipe: 

1. Take a bowl and add a shift ¼ teaspoon of matcha tea powder to the bowl.
2. Pour half glass of hot water (60ml) over matcha powder and whisk the solution briskly. Also, whisk on the sides of the bowl and whisk until it distributes homogeneously and forms a foam on the top.
3. Then add one and half glass of hot water or milk (approx. 150ml) and add sweetener of your choice.
4. Again, whisk the drink until it forms a foam on top, and enjoy your hot matcha tea.
5. To make its cold version add chilled water or milk in the end step and add few ice cubes.
6. If you a vegan, you can use oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk of your choice. It will give added flavors and notes of milk.

You can find many intresting recipes online, in case you don’t like matcha in tea format. you can prepare matcha cake, matcha flavored cookies and many other dessert etc.

What is the best time to drink Matcha tea?

Morning is the best time to drink Matcha tea or just before you leave for the office. As mentioned above, Matcha tea contains a good quantity of caffeine, which will help your body to stay alert and energized.

Tips Matcha tea Lovers!

1. Shelf Life: Matcha tea powder has a short shelf life. Once you open, it only lasts for approx. Two months and slowly, it will start losing its color and aroma.
2. How to store it: You can store it, freeze and tightly close the container or zip log pouch and box. Always buy a small quantity and make sure to check the manufacturing date before purchasing. Never left matcha tea powder open in a jar or container. It absorbs moisture and loses its aroma, flavour, freshness, and antioxidants in few days.
3. How to balance taste: Matcha tastes slightly leafy, earthy, and bitter, so for balancing these notes, you can use sweetener. You can add honey, sugar, stevia, or maple syrup as per your choice. And if you also add milk, it will help suppress bitter and green notes and leave your tongue with a delicious creamy note.
4. How to purchase: You can detect the freshness of Matcha by smelling the matcha powder. It has an intense leafy and vegetable aroma and slight aromatic notes of nuts, cream, and chocolate. But of course, it will take some time to get familiar with matcha powder flavorings, but whenever purchasing, always smell the aroma, and if there is no aroma, it’s not fresh enough to purchase.

Hope you have found all the answers about matcha tea, let us know if you have any question about matcha tea.