27 Jul 2020

What is matcha green tea?

A close relative of green tea, matcha is at the centre of the exquisite Japanese tea ceremony. We tell you more about the rich history.

What is matcha green tea?

If you are like us, matcha is floating somewhere on your consciousness. You will have seen it here and there, probably had a cup or two and eaten something flavoured with it. We know it's a bit thicker and foamier than green tea, but somewhat similar. Additionally, the elaborate rituals associated with it might be somewhat familiar. But the exact details and how everything comes together into that distinctive bright, foamy sea green? Well, allow us to put all that in front of you... crystallised in simplicity, wisdom, and beauty, for this is the role of matcha to Zen monks and the purpose of the Japanese tea ceremony centring around it.

Native to Japan, matcha comes from the same plant and the same leaves as so-called 'regular' green tea. In most teas, you steep the leaves in hot water. It's the same with green tea. However, to make matcha, you grind the leaves, called tencha, into a powder. Then you whisk the powder into hot water. This is where those exquisite rituals laden with poetry come in. Further, the leaves are the finest, tenderest ones. Beauty and enhanced, sweeter flavour are present but also additional nutritional advantages. Green tea has profound health benefits. Deepening them even more is no small matter.

How is matcha made?

Green tea bushes destined to end up in matcha grow in the shade. This increases the chlorophyll in the leaves. Chlorophyll is what makes leaves green. It helps turn sunlight into energy in plants. Also, it may be quite beneficial to humans, although research has not yet backed these claims. It may be that Western research has not caught up with Eastern wisdom. If you have had a wheatgrass shot, that also contains chlorophyll. In its natural form, cholorophyll may be difficult for the body to absorb. To date, there has not been enough research into green tea and matcha. However, from what we know, catechins rather than chlorophyll are mainly responsible for the health-giving properties of green tea and matcha. We tell you more about this later! Chlorophyll does remain central to the farming, character, and folklore of matcha.

Every single step in the process of making matcha, from how the leaves are picked to preparing them to grinding the powder, is ritualised and exact. In other words, this is the epitome of what many people now term mindful eating and drinking.

The history of matcha

Now that we have laid out a basic context, let's look at the beginnings. We can trace the history of green tea in China back to the 8th century. However, prevailing wisdom says matcha as we know it emerged in the 12th century. Fittingly, it was introduced to Japan because a Buddhist monk discovered that it enhanced meditation.

Matcha has a special ability to induce a state of alert, focused serenity. The analysis of Western science now tells us that this is due to the unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine, an enzyme which promotes calmness and relaxation. As opposed to coffee, the caffeine in this beverage is meant to give a steady, lasting boost, instead of a jittery feeling followed by a hard crash.

What is matcha green tea?