Buy Matcha Tea online from igourmet.com! Matcha Tea is finely ground powdered green tea from Japan. The word Matcha comes from "Ma" which means powder in Japanese and "cha" which means tea. Matcha Tea was introduced to Japan from China in the late 1100s by a Zen monk, Eisai, who was the first to grind green tea leaves into a powdered form and plant green tea seeds on temple grounds. First used in Buddhist religious ceremonies, Matcha Tea developed into an important component in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, or Chanoyu. In Chanoyu, translated as "hot water for tea", Matcha Tea is mixed with boiling water in a ceramic bowl and blended with a Bamboo Matcha Tea Whisk. The Japanese Tea Ceremony is focused on the drinking of Matcha Tea which promotes presence of mind, mental alertness, while at the same time encouraging a calm, meditative state.
Matcha Tea plants are grown in the shade in order to boost their chlorophyll content and amino acid production. Chlorophyll gives Match Tea leaves its rich green color, while its inherent amino acids are the main contributor to Matcha Tea's distinctive green flavor. Only the youngest and healthiest leaves are picked, which are then steamed and dried. During this stage of the harvesting process, the tea is called Aracha. Next the leaves are de-stemmed and de-spined in order to remove all veins and coarse fibers. The tea is known as Tencha at this point in the production process. The Tencha is then ground on a stone mill in order to obtain a finely ground powdered texture.
Matcha Tea is a potent full-bodied green tea with an astringent, slightly sweet taste. Matcha Tea is prepared either as thin or thick. Thin Matcha Tea, or Usucha, is made from tea leaves from plants that are less than thirty years old and uses less tea and more water. Usucha creates a lighter cup of tea. Thick Matcha Tea, called Koicha, is made from tea leaves from plants that are at least thirty years old, and is prepared with more tea and less water. Koicha is usually milder and mellower than Ususcha, and is traditionally served in the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
The utensils commonly used to drink Matcha tea are a bamboo whisk, tea spoon, tea sifter, ceramic tea bowl, and tea caddy. The bamboo whisk, or chasen, is an important component of the tea preparation, as it froths the tea, creates a uniform consistency, and exposes the unique flavor profiles of Matcha tea.
Matcha Tea Benefits
Since Matcha Tea includes the entire green tea leaf, not just the brewed water, the nutritional value of Matcha Tea is equal to an astonishing ten cups of brewed green tea. Matcha Tea delivers high levels of catechins and chlorophyll, and offers high levels of antioxidants, even more than blueberries, orange juice and spinach! Matcha Tea may help increase energy and alertness due to its caffeine content, may reduce stress and increase relaxation, boost metabolic rate, support the immune system and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Beware of cheap imitations! Matcha Tea Powder has a short shelf life and should only be bought from a reputable source. Make sure your Matcha Tea is bright green in color. Matcha that is too old turns dark and dull. Please visit our online Matcha Tea store and go shopping at the number one imported food delivery service in the USA. We offer the highest quality selection of gourmet Matcha Tea Powders sold anywhere, including Izu, Samurai, Ceremonial and Gyokuro varieties.
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