Matcha is a finely ground, bright green tea powder that has become increasingly popular recently, especially among health enthusiasts. This vibrant and versatile ingredient is visually appealing and has a unique flavor profile that differentiates it from other teas.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves ground into a Fine Powder. The tea bushes are covered for several weeks before harvest, increasing the chlorophyll content and giving the leaves bright green color. After being picked, the leaves are steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder.
Matcha tea has a long history in Japanese tea ceremonies and is now commonly used in everything from drinks to desserts. It is often called a “superfood” due to its high concentration of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
Basically, there are five primary flavors of matcha: Bitterness, Astringent, Umami, Sweetness, and Grassy.
Bitterness – The catechins and caffeine in the tea give matcha its slightly bitter flavor. Many people believed that matcha must be bitter and that bakers would be able to tell because of this. However, some matcha may only be mildly bitter or not at all.
Astringent – Matcha has the potential to be astringent, which causes a drying sensation in the mouth. They are noticeable in a bakery or desserts/drinks and typically remain longer in the mouth than in bitterness.
Sweetness – Tastes sweet, similar to American ginseng, and leaves a sweet aftertaste that lasts a few seconds. Unfortunately, the heat and other ingredients may change the flavor and lessen matcha’s sweetness when baking.
Umami – the umami taste comes from amino acids (particularly L-theanine) in the tea leaves, which are responsible for their unique flavor. This umami taste is one of the reasons matcha is prized in Japan and is often used in cooking and tea ceremonies.
Earthy or Grassy – Matcha is steamed and stone-ground into an incredibly fine powder. Compared to Chinese or other Asian green teas, matcha often has a stronger vegetal flavor note.
The Health Benefits of Matcha
Matcha is even more tempting due to its numerous health advantages. Antioxidants found in it are abundant, helping to shield your body from the harm that free radicals can do. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a substance found in matcha, has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory characteristics and may help lower the chance of developing chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Matcha’s caffeine is also supposed to give you a more sustained energy boost than other caffeinated drinks like coffee. This is because matcha includes a substance called L-theanine, which, when combined with caffeine, promotes a more gradual release of energy and prevents the crash that can occur from other caffeinated drinks.
