What is Matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea made from the Tencha tea leaves, which are ground into a fine powder. It is rich in flavour and is a deep green colour, and is great for many reasons.
Due to the fact that you're consuming both the water-soluble and non water-soluble components of the leaf, you get to experience ALL the goodies of green tea. This means that you're getting vitamin C, tannins, caffeine (which can be great for you!!), vitamin A, and some good ol' fibres!
How is Matcha Produced?
The young tea leaves are shaded for 3-4 weeks so that they can stock up on large amounts of chlorophyll, producing higher amounts of amino acids and L-theanine: this is what helps increase our alpha brain waves, promoting both creativity and relaxation. This is why matcha contains 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea!
They are then harvested by hand and dried, removing the stems and veins before being stone-ground into a powder. This is the first harvest of the year.
How is Matcha Prepared?
To brew good matcha, you should use water between 70℃ and 80℃ - otherwise you could burn it! To get the best matcha, you should whisk the powder in a large bowl called a chawan, add the hot-ish water, a splash of milk, and honey to sweeten. Personally, we enjoy our matcha without the honey - but that's up to you!
A good way of telling good quality matcha from inferior quality matcha is by its colour. If the powder is vibrant green, then it suggests that it is full of sweetness, umami, and nutrients. If, however, the tea is a swampy colour, then it was probably picked late in the season or wasn't properly processed. This matcha is better for culinary practices than drinking.
We talk a little more about good vs bad matcha here!
Tell Me About Your Matcha...
On it, boss!
Akihiro 'Akky' Kita is the head farmer at our Matcha farm. He discovered his love for this delicious powdered tea when working as a farmhand in Wazuka, Japan - and the second he left college, he decided to devote his life to mastering the intricate art of tea farming.
We have chosen Gokou matcha simply because it is the best matcha we have ever tried (and we've tried a lot!). Lovingly harvested and prepared, Gokou is one of the creamiest matchas in the world. Go on, try it yourself!
Our matcha is a perfect balance of everything that is great:
Taste: Sweet, creamy, notes of chocolate and cocoa
Body: Rich, full-bodied
Harvest: May
Tea Cultivar: Gokou
Origin: Wazuka, Japan
Cultivation: Shaded
Processing: Steamed, Dried, Ground
