What is Matcha Tea?

Matcha powdered green tea is:

  • a mood-enhancing, antioxidant powerhouse
  • a natural weightloss aid, pH balancer and detox agent
  • a sugar-free coffee alternative without the jitters

About our Matcha Teas

Each grade of our matcha selection shares these characteristics:

  • Shade covered, steamed, air dried, de-stemmed and ground on
    ancient stone grinding wheels
  • Made traditionally without the use of artificial colors, preservatives or additives
  • Sugar-free, gluten-free and certified kosher

A Way of Tea Unique to Japan

Matcha is premium green tea powder from Japan used for drinking as tea or as an ingredient in recipes. While other green teas are grown throughout the world, matcha is unique to Japan. It is the heart of the Japanese way of tea and has been celebrated in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony for hundreds of years.

Unparalleled Nutrition

Matcha is renowned for numerous health benefits. It is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and chlorophyll. The health benefits of matcha exceed those of other green teas because matcha drinkers ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water. One glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of nutritional value and antioxidant content.

Read more about the health benefits of matcha powdered tea.
MATCHA HEALTH BENEFITS

Naturally Mood Enhancing

Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid known to relax the mind. For this reason, matcha is also known as a mood enhancer. Buddhist monks drank matcha to assist in meditation, as matcha’s amino acids, combined with caffeine, offer a sustained calm alertness over time. Amino acids are also what gives matcha is distinctive taste. They contribute to what is known as the fifth taste, or umami, characterized by a rich creamy mouth feel.

The Complex and Alluring Taste of Matcha Tea

Chlorophyll and amino acids give matcha its unique rich taste, an initial vegetal, astringent taste, followed by a lingering sweetness. Matcha made in the traditional Japanese style, whisked with water, is a full-bodied green tea. The intensity of the experience compares to one’s first taste of dark chocolate or red wine. When added as an ingredient, the taste of matcha becomes subtler. It adds the flavor and color of green tea to your creation, be it a smoothie, latte, savory sauce or pastry.

SHADE COVERED CULTIVATION

Matcha is grown only in Japan, where local farmers cultivate it by traditional methods, from growing to grinding.
Matcha Source matcha is farmed by the Yahagi river whose micro-climate and misty fog air make for ideal growing conditions.


Stone Ground Premium Grade Tea

Several weeks prior to harvest in the Spring, farmers cover the tea plants with bamboo mats or tarp, gradually reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the plants. This step increases the chlorophyll content and turns the leaves dark green, giving matcha its distinct green color.

After harvesting, the leaves are steamed and then air dried. Next, the leaves are sorted for grade, and then destemmed and deveined. At this stage, the leaves become tencha, the precursor to matcha. The tencha is then ground and becomes matcha.

Tea grade matcha is ground on a stone mill to achieve a fine powder texture, unlike industrial grade matcha which is ground by machines. The stone grinding produces a specially shaped powder molecule which impacts the taste and mouth feel of the matcha. All grades of Matcha Source tea are stone ground.

Shade-Covered-Cultivation-Right
Grades of Matcha Tea

Distinct Grades of Matcha

Matcha teas made from young leaves at the top of the plant create fresh grassy sweet tasting bowls of tea. More mature leaves are used for blending, or ingredient grades. These are not as finely de-stemmed and usually have a more astringent flavor profile. Read more in our Matcha Buyer’s Guide.
Matcha Buyers Guide

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Matcha Preparation

Matcha is versatile and flexible. Originally consumed as a tea with water, matcha is now a popular ingredient in mixed beverages such as morning smoothies, green tea lattes and more. We offer guidelines and ideas on our Preparing Matcha Guidelines.
How to Prepare Matcha

BRING AN OPEN MIND

Most of us in America are new to matcha. We didn’t grow up watching our mothers whisk a bowl of matcha on the kitchen
counter. But bring an open mind, and know that matcha is a flexible ingredient that works hot, cold, sweet and savory. Matcha
can suit any lifestyle whether you want to use traditional utensils like a whisk or modern milk frothers. However you like to
drink it is the best way to enjoy it. And with 137 times more antioxidants than brewed green tea bags, matcha tea offers a mega
infusion of anti-aging nutrients in every sip (or bite.).


Buy Matcha Tea

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS?

Call us toll free at 1 877 9+MATCHA (1 877 962 8242) or send an email to info@matchasource.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.