Matcha, the heart of the Japanese tea ceremony
20.9.2017
Translation: machine translated
Matcha is a bright green tea whose preparation is a veritable ceremony. The Japanese believe that the elaborate cult they devote to it is excellent for the soul and for everyday strength. But what are the powers of this much-loved beverage?
What's so special about matcha?
Matcha tastes great, wakes you up and improves performance. Its name means "ground tea" in Japanese, as it is made from tea leaves (Camellia Sinensis) ground and reduced to a fine powder. The exposure of the leaves to light is reduced before harvesting so that they produce more chlorophyll and acquire their typical green colour as well as their subtle, fresh and mild flavour. After harvesting, farmers steam and dry the leaves. Before they are ground using a traditional Japanese granite stone, the stems and veins are removed. Only the most precious part of the leaf is then pulverised.
An invigorating effect
The particularly stimulating effect of this type of tea has been demonstrated. Matcha contains caffeine - previously also known as theine - which increases concentration and improves circulation. Caffeine is bound to it, so the stimulating effect takes longer to appear than that of coffee.
Does matcha really have a therapeutic effect?
Green tea, and therefore matcha, contains an antioxidant (epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG) to which many qualities are attributed. In laboratory tests, EGCG destroyed a specific protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. There is also evidence that it can help prevent the development of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer. It causes apoptosis, i.e. the programmed death of tumour cells. But for the moment this effect has only been observed in test tubes. So we don't know whether it occurs in humans. There are some indications that EGCG has health benefits, but nothing has been proven.
The traditional preparation
Matcha is very easy to prepare. All you need to do is buy matcha powder, often sold in small glass jars or tin cans. It's best to keep it in the fridge so that it retains its flavours. To carry out your own tea ceremony, you'll need a sufficiently large ceramic bowl, as well as a small spoon and a small whisk, both made from bamboo.
Put the matcha powder through a sieve to remove any lumps and achieve a balanced mild flavour. Tea shops sell special tins for sieving it, but you can also use a stainless steel sieve.
Put the matcha powder through a sieve.
Place 1.5 chashaku/bamboo spoons or 1-2 teaspoons of matcha into your bowl.
Then pour 70 to 100 ml of 80°C water into it. There are special kettles that allow you to adjust the water temperature.
Grip the bamboo whisk and stir slowly, forming "W" shapes with your wrist (from top to bottom). The tea will become evenly creamy, and a pretty froth will form on its surface. To finish, gently run the whisk over the ends of the froth once so that it rises further up the sides of the bowl and gives a nice result. You can now enjoy your matcha.
Matcha latte: the alternative to coffee
Why always drink coffee when you can vary the pleasures? Feel free to use soya, rice, oat, almond or cow's milk to make your matcha latte. And don't forget to use a little milk frother, it's almost a must.
Put a teaspoon of matcha in a cup, pour in hot water at 80°C maximum and stir just right. Make sure no lumps form. Heat the desired amount of milk, froth it and pour it over the tea, or mix it all together. The milk froth will give your matcha latte that extra something that makes all the difference. Add sugar or honey if you like.
A "matcha bowl" to bring a little variety to breakfast
Four ingredients are all you need to make a healthy smoothie bowl. The matcha powder will give a beautiful colour to your dish and valuable antioxidants to your body. Coconut milk and delicious toppings will multiply the flavours. The smoothie bowl recipe below and a delicious breakfast idea that vegans can enjoy too.
The ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 120 ml coconut milk
- 1 handful fresh baby spinach
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, forming the base of your delicious smoothie bowl. Pour it into a bowl and garnish as desired: fruit, rolled oats, chia seeds or even agave syrup, honey or almond mousse. Nuts, berries or amaranth work well too, of course.
Header image: Natural green paired with soft foam - Matcha tea at its best.
Tanja Lehmann
Senior Category Business Manager
tanja.lehmann@digitecgalaxus.chFriends, family, cats and good wine are my lifeblood.
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