Matcha is the oldest variety of shade-grown Japanese green tea, traditionally used in Zen Buddhist ceremonies for over 800 years. Ground into a fine, jade-green powder using granite grinding wheels, Matcha is whisked with water to create a unique, beautiful and richly flavourful drink.
Four weeks before the annual harvest, the tea plantations of the famed Nishio region are covered with tarp shading, eliminating up to 90% of the natural light. The tea plants compensate for this loss of light by increasing chlorophyll content in their leaves. Only the best hand-picked tea leaves are then steamed, dried and cut to remove veins and stems
Health Benefits Unlike regular green tea leaves, which are removed when brewed, Matcha leaves are whisked with water and consumed entirely. This ensures that Matcha drinkers consume a higher concentration of green tea antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibres.
Matcha also contains high amounts of L-theanines – a unique set of natural amino acids found almost exclusively in green tea – as well as tea caffeine theophylline. Together, these substances are thought to help provide increased mental clarity and energy.
1. Flavour: Matcha is sweet and smooth with just a hint of astringency. The sweetness comes from the naturally occurring L-theanine amino acids and plant fibres.
2. Colour: Matcha is resiliently emerald green while green tea powder is often yellow-brown. This is because quality Matcha is ground into a fine powder using slow-turning granite grinding wheels. Friction is minimized and tea leaves are not “burned” in the process, allowing the leaves to retain chlorophyll.
3. Nutritional Profile:
With its high concentration of L-theanine amino acids, Matcha provides most consumers with a delicate energy “boost” lasting from 3 to 6 hours. However, with green tea powder, amino acids are comparatively fewer and do not have the same functional properties.
4. Ceremonial Matcha
Ceremonial Matcha is the most premium variety of Japanese green tea. It is used by the major tea schools and Buddhist temples in Japan specifically for the tea ceremony, where it is blended to be served straight.
BlenzMatcha Latte™ uses only the finest Ceremonial Matcha imported directly from Japan. This is not “green tea powder”. The flavour, colour and nutrition value of a BlenzMatcha Latte™ is a prime example of what Blenz is all about, “the finest ingredient, the finest beverage.”
Our Baristas will be happy to answer any of your questions about our Matcha beverages or Matcha tea and merchandise for home.
