Choosing the best matcha green tea powder can be difficult if you don’t know which questions to ask. How much are you willing to spend? Secondly, how will you use the matcha? What do you know about its health benefits and how important are they to you?
If you want to buy matcha green tea, then you should know these.
Green Matcha Tea Powder: What is it?
People are unaware of the history of matcha green tea powder. Matcha powder has long been a savored tea, but there are still many individuals who are unaware of its history and benefits.
The use of matcha in tea ceremonies dates as far back as the 7th century in China and was eventually adopted by the Japanese in the 12th century. Despite its widespread use in other disciplines, matcha remains a staple of traditional ceremonies today. Often called “food grade matcha,” matcha dyes are found in many foods and confections.
It is the method in which matcha green tea powder is cultivated that makes it so special. The final stages of green tea plant growth for the upcoming harvest take place in the shade for a couple of weeks before harvest. As a result, the growth of the tea leaves is slowed down, and chlorophyll is produced in greater amounts. The leaves are then dyed a deep green and contain more amino acids due to this. Leaf buds are only picked and dried and then ground into a fine powder so that their nutrient goodness is retained. The final product is matcha green tea powder.
The highest antioxidant concentration that exists in any food source is found in matcha green tea powder! So, you see why they are considered a superfood?
Matcha Tea: What Are The Properties To Look Out For?
What should you look for when buying matcha powder? Consider these nine properties.
Country of Origin
It is known that Japan produces the highest quality matcha tea in the world because it has perfected the matcha production process. Farming practices and standards in Japan are extremely strict. Soil is clean, resulting in matcha devoid of heavy metals. Uji, Kyoto, is known for making some of the world’s finest matcha powder, and this is the place to get some of Japan’s best matcha. Nara, Shizuoka, Saitama, Mie, and Kagoshima are equally popular places where matcha is grown.
Color
If matcha tea has a vibrant green color, it’s fresh and contains a lot of chlorophyll. Before matcha is harvested, tea plantations are shaded to increase the chlorophyll content of leaves. Matcha’s vibrant color comes from chlorophyll.
Taste
In order to make the best matcha powder, it must have a balance between natural sweetness and vegetal, grassy notes. Drinking it does not have to be bitter or overpowering. “L-Theanine” is the amino acid responsible for Matcha’s unique flavor. The bitter taste caused by low-quality matcha indicates a low level of amino acids.
Aroma
L-theanine, the amino acid responsible for matcha’s taste, is also responsible for its smell. Choosing the tea with the best-smelling aroma can help with making drinking easier.
Texture
The finer the matcha tea is, the more it should be able to suspend in water when mixed. Matcha tea is often described as having a “mouth-feel.” When you drink matcha tea, you will find that it has a smooth taste. It may have a coarse or gritty taste if it is low-quality.
Purity
Green tea leaves should be the only ingredient in matcha; no added sweeteners should be used. The many health benefits of matcha may be diminished when it is mixed with sugar, sugar substitutes, or other ingredients. This can deprive the drinker of certain nutrients, amino acids, and antioxidants.
Cost
Matcha is a green tea version of champagne, and high-quality matcha is more expensive. Matcha that is marketed as “ceremonial” or “premium” but is extremely cheap should not be trusted. The matcha you buy is likely to be low-grade and not healthy.
Packaging
When packaging matcha, make sure it is protected from light and air. When enzymes in matcha are oxidized by both air and light, they degrade the quality, cause bitterness, and cause the color to fade. This impacts matcha’s health benefits.
Best Matcha Green Tea Power FAQs
Where to Store Matcha Green Tea Powder?
A dark, cool location is best for storing matcha. Matcha should be kept out of the light, away from heat and especially away from moisture. Matcha is best stored at room temperature, but some websites recommend storing it in the refrigerator. Matcha can become moist if it is placed in a cold refrigerator. Metal containers can cause condensation. In addition, matcha green tea powder has to be consumed within a month after opening.
How much does the best matcha powder cost?
Buying premium matcha green tea powder isn’t cheap, but we believe it’s well worth the price. Exactly what is expensive?
It usually costs between $25 and $50 per ounce to get the best ceremonial grade matcha green tea powder. The price is worth the quality. In our experience, the cheaper matcha does not compare to the expensive stuff. Oftentimes, the exquisiteness in taste and form cannot elude you if you are an ardent lover of the tea.
What is the best way to buy green tea powder matcha?
Amazon.com has the best matcha green tea powder for sale, and we will tell you why.
Even though Amazon is considered to be the largest retailer in the world, it is still growing in terms of product diversity. Several companies that sell products want to avoid associating with products that are not up to the claims they make. There are tons of websites on the internet that guise themselves as “sources” of matcha. However, many of them are not reliable and do not sell the best products.
The different brands of matcha that Amazon sells have also been verified by thousands of real people that have tried them for themselves. Simply go for a brand with a lot of positive reviews.