History of matcha tea

During the Tang dynasty (618–907) in China, tea leaves were steamed and pressed into bricks so that they could be stored and traded. To make the tea, the leaves were roasted and ground into a powder. The powder was then mixed with hot water and salt.  During the Song dynasty (960–1279), it became common to make powdered tea from dried tea leaves by steaming them and then mixing the tea powder and hot water in a bowl.

Chan Buddhists made a ritual out of making powdered tea and drinking it. Chanyuan Qinggui (Rules of Purity for the Chan Monastery, 1103), the oldest Chan monastic code that still exists, goes into detail about how to act at tea ceremonies.

Eisai brought Zen Buddhism and ways to make tea from powder to Japan in 1191. In Japan, it was a very important part of Zen monasteries, and from the 14th to the 16th centuries, people at the top of society really liked it.

What is matcha tea?

Matcha tea has its origins in Japan, and it drunk in a Japanese tea ceremony. The superpowers of Matcha Green Tea have now caught the fancy of tea drinkers and across the world people for its health benefits. 

Matcha Green Tea Powder is made differently as compared to other green teas. The entire harvesting and manufacturing process is different as compared to regular green tea. 

Matcha has the highest levels of healthy antioxidants and is the best source of nutrients.

Matcha Tea production

Matcha is made from the same tea leaves used to make gyokuro, which are grown in the shade. The preparation for Matcha starts made several weeks before it is harvested. This process can take up to 20 days, during which the tea plants are covered to keep them from getting direct sunlight.  This slows down the plant's growth, makes chlorophyll levels rise, which turns the leaves a darker shade of green, and makes amino acids, especially theanine, more likely to be made. If the leaves are rolled up after they are picked and before they are dried, like they are when making sencha the result is gyokuro (jade dew) tea. But if the leaves are spread out flat to dry, they will break up a bit and become what is called tencha Then, tencha is stripped of its veins and stems and stone-ground into a fine, bright green powder called matcha.

The leaves are ground slowly because the mill stones can't get too hot, or the smell of the leaves will change. It can take up to an hour to grind 30 grammes of matcha. The amino acids in matcha make up most of its taste.

The highest grades of matcha are sweeter and have a deeper flavour than the standard or coarser grades of tea that are picked later in the year.

Where is Matcha tea made in Japan?

Tea is grown in most parts of Japan, the most importation tea growing regions are Shizuoka, Kagoshima, and Uji. 

Shizuoka has a unique landscape, mineral-rich soil, a mild four-season climate, plenty of sunshine, just the right amount of rain, and a special feature: dense coastal fog. All of these things are needed to grow tea leaves that are the best in the world.

Where to buy authentic Japanese Matcha tea in India:

Teacupsfull sources its Matcha Green Tea from Shizuoka in Japan.  Shizuoka is also called "The Kingdom of Green Tea." This region lives up to its name because it makes the most tea in Japan. Shizuoka makes between 40 and 45 percent of all the tea in Japan, which is close to half. This area is on the central coast of Japan, 150 km from Tokyo. From the tea fields, you can see Mt. Fuji. People often say that tea from the Shizuoka area is the best tea in Japan. 

How is Matcha tea made?

Matcha is made from the camellia sinensis plant, the tea is grown under a shade and is harvested and manufactured differently. Matcha powder is made by grinding tencha, which is what we call the whole green tea leaves. All of the good things in the green tea leaves are kept in the fine powder that comes out of the process.

How to make a cup of Matcha green tea?

With the aid of our matcha accoutrement, you can pay respect to the matcha's traditional beginnings. Authentically prepared matcha is delicious when sipped from a double-walled glass bowl after being whisked with a traditional matcha bamboo whisk. There is no better method!

Other teas use hot water to brew the leaves, which are then discarded, but our premium matcha powder is whisked in water that has been heated to no higher than 80°C, producing a delightfully frothy and flavourful brew.

Multi-talented matcha doesn't cause any trouble when it's in hot water, but it does enjoy showing off its sensitive side when it joins forces with a little milk and honey to make a matcha latte!

Enjoy our premium grade 100% Certified Organic Matcha or for beginners try our Mint Matcha or Mixed Berry Matcha for a double dose of good health. Your body will thank you.

What are the grades of Matcha tea?

Ceremonial Matcha: 

It is said that "ceremonial grade" tea is good enough to be used in tea ceremonies and Buddhist temples. It costs a lot and is almost always turned into a powder by granite stone mills. A person who doesn't know much about alcohol probably won't notice a big difference between ceremonial and premium grades. There is no clear set of flavour characteristics that define the highest grade of matcha. Some matcha’s are very sweet, while others can be relatively bitter but have other qualities that "make up" for it. When grading matcha, all of its aesthetic qualities, such as flavour, colour, and texture, are taken into account. All of them must be of a quality that allows them to be used to make koicha, which is "thick tea" made with a lot of powder and not much water. This is the type of tea that makes up the traditional tea ceremony.

Premium Grade Matcha Green Tea: Is made from the young tea leaves at the top of the tea plant, this is what make premium grade matcha green tea powder so good. It has a fresh, mild flavour and is best for daily use. It is usually perfect for both new and experienced matcha drinkers. This is the most popular grade of matcha which is used in Japan, and it is recommended that you start your journey with this tea.

Culinary Grade Matcha Tea: The least expensive kind is the cooking or culinary grade. It can be used for cooking, smoothies, etc. It tastes a little bitter because it is made from leaves that are lower on the tea plant, because it is picked at a different time of year, or because of the way it is made.

Matcha Tea Price – Why is so expensive?

In general, matcha is more expensive than other types of green tea, but the price can vary depending on how good it is. Higher grades cost more because they are made with younger leaves and have a more delicate flavour. This makes them better for drinking as tea.

What does Matcha taste like?

High-quality premium grade matcha has complex vegetal undertones and a full-bodied, rich creaminess, like a well-balanced red wine. The aftertaste is smooth and sweet, with a lingering aroma that makes you want to take another sip.

Our healthy matcha can be enjoyed in many ways, from its natural state to tasty combinations. Try Mint Matcha, Berry Matcha Milkshake for delicious treats that are also good for you.

Is matcha healthy to drink?

Matcha is full of good nutrients that will make your immune system stronger.

This green tea is the superhero of all green teas because it has a lot of antioxidants, like polyphenols and catechins. If you drink matcha every day or add a scoop to your smoothies or porridge, it may help protect your liver, improve your heart health, help you lose weight, protect your cells from free radicals that can damage them, improve brain function, and lower your risk of developing chronic diseases. Who would have thought that a cup of bright green matcha could be so good for you?

Some of the health benefits of Matcha tea are:

• Effectively prevent cancer.
• Bring down your blood pressure
• Limit the cholesterol in the blood
• Lower blood sugar
• Suppress ageing
• Deter food poisoning
• Treat skin disease
• Stop tooth decay.
• Fight viruses, such as HIV.

How to make a latte with matcha?

Want to show your friends how good you are at making matcha? This is how:

Bring the kettle to 80°C and pour the hot water and your favourite Teacupsfull matcha into your matcha bowls. Use your Teacupsfull bamboo whisk to break up any lumps and whisk the mixture until it starts to foam. Warm milk in a saucepan until it is hot but not boiling and add a dash of honey to sweeten your matcha bowls.

You can change the amounts of hot water, matcha, and milk to suit your taste, and each of our delicious matcha drinks comes with a brewing guide to help you make the perfect cup.

How can I get matcha powder?

When you start drinking matcha for the first time, you are stepping into a new way of drinking tea and making a commitment to your health and well-being.

Choose the best matcha, which you can find in Teacupsfull stores and online, along with all the accessories and tea wares you need to make a perfect match every time.