Matcha is obtained from finely ground green tea leaves using stone mills. You can consume it traditionally to prepare the drink of the same name, or you can incorporate it into your recipes!

To produce matcha, green tea leaves are grown in the shade for a few weeks before harvesting. This technique increases the chlorophyll content of the leaves, giving them a brighter color and sweeter flavor. After harvesting, the leaves are dried, sorted, and finely ground to obtain a vibrant green powder, the matcha.

Matcha is appreciated for its complex and rich flavor, which can vary from sweet to slightly bitter depending on its quality and preparation. It is also known for its numerous health benefits, as it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Traditionally, matcha is prepared by whisking it with hot water using a bamboo whisk until it becomes frothy. This method creates a refreshing and invigorating beverage, known as "matcha latte" or "matcha tea".

Also try Matcha Tiramisu! A must!

Usage in cooking:

Pastry: Matcha is often used to flavor and color desserts such as cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, ice creams, and macarons. Its distinct taste and green color add a touch of sophistication and originality to these sweet delights.

Drinks: In addition to being prepared as a traditional beverage in the Japanese tea ceremony, matcha is also used to prepare a variety of modern drinks. Matcha lattes, for example, have become popular in many cafes, where matcha is mixed with milk and sometimes sweetened to create a creamy and refreshing beverage.

Smoothies: Matcha is often added to smoothies to add a green tea flavor and a dose of antioxidants. Mixed with fresh fruits, milk, or yogurt, it creates an energizing and nourishing drink.

Savory cuisine: Although less common, matcha can also be used in savory dishes to add depth of flavor and a touch of color. It can be sprinkled on rice dishes, noodles, salads, or seafood, or incorporated into sauces and marinades to add a subtle and herbaceous flavor.

Cocktails: Some bartenders use matcha to create unique and refreshing cocktails. It can be mixed with gin, vodka, or sake, as well as other ingredients like lime juice, sugar syrup, and mint to create original and flavorful drinks.

Tasting parameter: for traditional beverage, in water between 70 and 80°C

Learn more: In the 12th century, the Buddhist monk Eisai introduced green tea to Japan from China, where it was already appreciated for its medicinal properties and invigorating properties. With it, Eisai introduced the practice of drinking powdered green tea, which became known as "matcha" in Japan.

However, it was in the 16th century that matcha acquired significant cultural importance in Japan, thanks to the Japanese tea ceremony, or "chanoyu". This ceremony, which emphasizes the tasting and appreciation of matcha, became a highly ritualized and aesthetic practice, deeply influencing Japanese culture.

A famous anecdote tells that the famous Japanese warrior and strategist, Sen no Rikyū, was one of the first to codify the tea ceremony in its modern form. He insisted that matcha should be prepared with great attention to detail, in order to create a harmonious and contemplative experience for the participants.

Today, the Japanese tea ceremony remains a highly respected practice in Japan, where matcha is still considered a sacred beverage and a symbol of harmony, aesthetics, and serenity. This anecdote illustrates how matcha is much more than just a beverage; it is an integral part of Japanese culture and history, imbued with profound meanings and millennia-old traditions.