What is matcha?
Matcha is made from green tea leaves that have been steamed, dried, and stone-milled. All tea leaves that go into making matcha are shade-grown for the last 30 days before harvest. Ceremonial grade matcha is only harvested once a year, typically in May. After harvest, the tea leaves are sorted, steamed, dried, then ground into a fine powder that we all know as matcha.
Health Benefits*
Matcha has been known to be filled with antioxidants and have several health benefits, making it a healthier way to get your caffeine fix.
Matcha for your body
Matcha contains more antioxidants than any other tea, because you’re actually consuming the ground tea leaves. Antioxidants have been known to help the body recover from damage caused by free radicals and can help boost overall health. The antioxidants in matcha can also help lower inflammation and support a healthy heart.
Matcha for energy
The shade growing process matcha goes through the last 30 days before harvest, naturally boosts its L-theanine content over other teas. L-theanine is known to relieve stress and anxiety and improve focus, which gives you more sustained energy over the 3-6 hours it stays in your system. So, you get all the energy without feeling jittery or anxious.
Matcha for sleep
Tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid found in matcha. The body uses tryptophan to help make melatonin and serotonin which are critical to your sleep-wake cycle. With the combination of the natural L-theanine and Tryptophan in matcha, it may aid with your overall sleep quality.
How to make matcha
We want you to prepare your matcha the way you want, for a ritual that’s authentic to you. If you don’t know what that is yet, we’re here to guide you in just four easy steps.
1.Measure out 1 teaspoon (or more if you want it stronger) of matcha into a mixing cup or chawan
2.Add warm water - 160F is perfect to avoid burning your tea. If your water is too hot, it will burn your matcha, making it more bitter and seaweed-like
3.Whisk! Whether you use a bamboo whisk in a zigzag motion or an electric whisk, make sure to thoroughly whisk, so there’s no clumps. Pro-tip: matcha should be frothy after whisking - remember, small bubbles!
4.Once you have your frothy matcha “espresso”, pour over your choice of hot or cold water, milk, lemonade, or whatever else you want!