Matcha tea is a fine powder made from the young leaves of the green tea plant. Most often this tea is organic and it is difficult to find a product that does not meet these basic quality requirements.
However, there are also cheaper flavored powders appearing on the market that resemble matcha, but still do not have these healthy properties.
In general, matcha powder is divided into three categories, culinary, premium, and ceremonial. Culinary matcha is used in cakes and other specialties, while premium and ceremonial are intended for ritual tea drinking.
Our recommendation is to use the ceremonial category for drinking, with premium to prepare other types of matcha drinks, and to use the one with the lowest quality in the kitchen.
But how do you tell if your matcha powder is of the highest quality?
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Contents
1. Choose organic production
As we have already said, almost every type of tea is organically produced in China or Japan. What you should pay attention to is the origin. Matcha traditionally originates from East Asia and is an essential part of Japanese ceremonial tea drinking.
It is produced from green tea bushes that grow in the shade and are known as gyokuro. This way you can check the origin and know that if your matcha comes from Japan, then it is organic for sure.
In any other case, you have the right to doubt the quality of the product. However, it does not necessarily mean that it is bad, but that the origin is not authentic, that is, it is grown for commercial purposes.
The best way to find a great organic matcha powder is to have a trusted seller, and know what you are looking for.
2. Look at the color of the powder
Most often, quality organic matcha has a distinct green color. If it is lighter, it may mean that not all quality standards are met, that is, it may not be organic.
Many believe that expensive matcha powder is not used in cooking, so they look for a cheap alternative. That type of matcha is always lighter in color.
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3. Smell and taste
Matcha powder has no smell when it is dry, but when you add it to water it should have a distinct green and vegetal smell, reminiscent of chlorophyll. Of course, if you know the smell of the usual green tea, matcha has the same smell, but several times more intense.
On the other hand, if you are not sure by the color and smell, then you will definitely be able to judge by the taste. True matcha has a distinct herbal flavor, but with undertones of nut, butter and white chocolate. It may sound strange, but quality matcha tastes exactly like that.
4. Price of the product
Premium quality matcha is always more expensive than you expect. The labor involved, the method of picking, and the processing of the tea leaf itself also take part in the price.
So, if it seems to you that you have found an affordable option and it’s a good deal, you are probably wrong. In fact, quality matcha is sold in hermetically sealed containers and in small quantities. If you buy a large quantity, the powder will oxidize easily, because you cannot reliably provide ideal storage conditions.
Therefore, we advise you to buy exactly from the small packages and to avoid those so-called promotions where you can buy a large amount of matcha at a low price. It’s simply not possible at all with certified organic matcha.
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What do you need to know about matcha tea and how to drink it?
This green tea powder was discovered in China during the Tang Dynasty and was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks. That tea helped them meditate better, and as time went on, it became more and more popular. Over the past 1000 years, matcha tea has become an integral part of Japanese culture.
An ideal choice for detoxification and weight loss, one of its main properties is that it improves cognitive function. The best quality herbs grow in Japan, where the tea stems are shaded by bamboo, so only 20 percent of the sun reaches the plants. Such a procedure helps in increasing the level of chlorophyll in the leaves.
Matcha tea contains 10 times more antioxidants than green tea and tastes great. However, green tea is also very healthy and useful. You can drink both teas, but you will get faster results with matcha tea.
We suggest preparing a matcha beverage the traditional way.
You can invest in a matcha set that comes with a scoop and whisk, to dose the powder properly, and whisk it until smooth and foamy.
Additionally, organic matcha tea creates easily recognizable foam, and this is another sign to ensure the product you have has a checked origin.
We suggest drinking one or two cups of matcha per day, so you can avoid increased caffeine intake. Also, when you drink it for the first time, it may act as a diuretic, so we suggest trying it first at home.
Of course, do not forget to enjoy the wonderful taste. If you are a fan of green tea, then matcha tea will be even more delicious. Add it to your favorite smoothie, or prepare a popular matcha latte.
And of course, choose an organic product that meets the highest production standards.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have covered several aspects related to matcha tea. From organic production to different categories of tea, we hope you now know how to choose a quality product.
Of course, we emphasize again that you will never go wrong if you buy matcha that originates in Japan because that is the only way you can be sure that you are getting the maximum quality product. And finally, consume it the way you want. It is a product that is very healthy and will certainly bring you many benefits, including helping you lose excess weight.
