While any “best of” is a matter of personal preference. There are conditions to help determine the best of any product. The best matcha is not just the one that ends up in the canister before you. The best matcha starts long before that, in the fields and even more so in the production.
There is a lot going on with matcha these days. Even a movement to create an instant matcha for the younger generation. I had the pleasure of doing a taste test with it last year. It’s very pleasurable and takes an ancient matcha and brings it right into the 21st century.
How matcha begins
Matcha starts out like any other tea. A seed. That seed becomes planted and grown. One difference is that while growing there is a time that these trees are shaded. That shading is what separates tea from matcha. The shading brings out the chlorophyll (color) and that distinct matcha flavor. The flavor from the tencha leaves that make it an indescribable matcha.
It took a zen monk named Eisai bringing seeds from a trip he took to China. Eisai had spent some time studying in China. He also learned how to create tea the powdered Chinese way. Eisai brought those seeds back home to Japan. That was around the 12th century.
Powdered tea was considered a standard in tea and reserved only for the higher classes.
This tea first started in a tiny tea bush located in Kyoto, Uji. As the popularity of tea from the tea bushes expanded to areas of Yoshimitsu. Tea from Uji was not as popular and not considered as nice of a tea. This was because the tea would not grow as well under the shady tree conditions. Instead of destroying the trees or relocating they built wooden structures. This would allow the people to control what and when the sunlight would reach the tea bushes.
Today, about 2 weeks before harvest the structures are built around the tea plants. The tea plants are shaded, leaving them in the dark. This produces the sweeter and brighter leaves. The tea leaves are plucked, steamed and dried in an over for about 20 minutes. The stems, twigs and other unnecessary parts sorted out and the leaves ground into powder.
The leaves are hand picked, steamed, dried. The leaves are then cleaned free of all the stems and veins. This leaves just the leaf. Once the cultivation and processing is finished the leaves are ground into fine powder. This is normally done with a mortar and pestle or even a stone wheel. Of course, modern times have brought moderation and machines are used to speed up the process.
This tea is called Tencha. Tencha became the first tea, a shaded tea used in matcha making. The Tencha powder was then claimed to have exceeding health benefits.
Matcha originated in Japan, yet China shortly thereafter started to produce their own. The Chinese version could not hold a candle to the Japanese match
What makes matcha great
One of the most beneficial benefits of matcha is the fact that it is a combination of several green teas. That combination and the fact that the matcha is a powder that gives it extra strength. The strength of antioxidants in a single cup of matcha equal to 3 cups of regular green tea.
Matcha is the combination of green teas. Just green teas that have been powdered and has a much richer and buttery flavor.
More of a visual aesthetics than any other benefit. There is no other color like matcha green. Whether it is in tea or baked into a cake or cookie, matcha green stands out above any other tea color.
One of best matcha suppliers is Japanese Green Tea as well as Teakruthi
Health benefits of matcha
One cup matcha is like taking in 10 cups of steeped tea when looking at antioxidant strength. Matcha also contains powerful EGCG.
Some of the benefits include:
- Increased metabolism
- Natural detoxifier
- Calms the mind (and soul)
- Rich in fiber
- Suppress hunger
- Reduces depression
- Lowers cholesterol
- Lowers blood sugar
- Contains L-theanine (amino acid)
- Provides a calm energy
- Helps you concentrate
- Healthy acid helps your teeth
- Contains chlorophyll
- Helps cognitive performance
- Helps calm inflammation
- Contains these vitamins
- Selenium
- Chromium
- Zinc
- Magnesium
While this is mentioned often I want to address the weight loss issue. Green tea, Matcha will not help you lose weight. What it does is boosts your metabolism. It gets things going. Matcha is healthy and good for you. But it is not a quick lose weight drink or pill.
If you want to lose weight it’s relatively a science. Put out more energy then you put into yourself. Exercise more and eat less and definitely cut out carbs and sugar. That alone you will see a major difference.
For me, I feel like it degrades the healthy benefits of matcha to say it’s a weight loss product. It’s so much more than that.
Match concerns
Matcha is a healthy drink. With all things moderation. However, even in small amounts, matcha has a strong caffeine content and may cause some side effects like:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
Some of the best Matchas
These are in my honest opinion some of (not all) the best matcha products. I’ve included not only tea’s but a few products made with matcha as well. Of course I’ve not had the pleasure of enjoying all matcha but the ones I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. I am enjoying sharing with you.
Japanese Green Tea Company
Their matcha is harvested in Shizuoka, Japan. Their farms are geographically located in areas known for growing the finest teas. The weather patterns and temperatures create one of the best environments for the tea to be grown, harvested and prepared.
If you need information on Japanese tea you will want to visit the Japanese Green Tea Co. Kei puts a lot of effort into his content and sharing his visit on of Japanese green tea with everyone. Their matcha was an award winning tea at the Global Tea Championship (2017,2018 and 2019). As well as many other various awards around the globe.
Kiss Me Organics Matcha
Authentic 100% Japanese Matcha green tea powder. This all natural, unsweetened, grassy and somewhat slightly bitter tea let’s you know it’s the good stuff. Boost your metabolism by increasing your natural rate of calorie burn.
Teakruthi Tea Co.
Teakruthi Tea has long been a favorite tea company. Recently they have started to product matcha products. Their matcha is unique in the fact that it is made with pure Ceylon Green tea leaves. These are grown in the Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka.
Grown on the highest peaks with a delicate flavor like that of fresh steamed vegetables. It’s a twist on the matcha with the same healthy benefits of Japanese matcha.
Jade Leaf Organic matcha
Organically grown and 100% USDA certified. This pure shade grown green tea leaf is grown without harmful toxins. This tea is shade grown for 3-4 weeks. The shade incrases the nutrient content. It is then selectively picked, stone ground and carefully packed into airtight packaging.
Bimi Bakery
I first met with Bimi Bakery at a Midwest tea festival, long before matcha was so popular. She had cookies too sample and honestly, I was hesitant, but I did try them and WOW, to this day they are my favorite. There are several matcha cookies to choose from. They are all a favorite, but for now, Godzilla has to be the number one choice for this tea drinker (you can dunk it) 🙂
There are other tea cookies as well that I know you will enjoy as well.
Conclusion
The most interesting thing about matcha is that it is covered for weeks prior to harvest. That’s like the secret recipe of making matcha what it is. The taste, the look and the scent all develop under that covering.
That one of a kind color, they should make crayons named matcha! No other color like it, you know you have good matcha by its color and it’s scent.
More of the best matcha teas
Japanese Green Tea Company Matcha Powder
Jade Leaf Organic Matcha Latte Mix
Davidson’s Gunpowder Green Tea
