Matcha
Matcha is a type of Japanese green tea that is ground into a powder. It's closely associated with Japanese culture, as it has been used in tea ceremonies there for centuries. There's been a lot written of it's health benefits; it's supposed to be super high in antioxidants and vitamin C.
I fell in love with it on a recent trip to Japan. It has a totally different taste than other green teas. This is probably due to the high standards in cultivation and preparation. The tea plants used to make matcha are grown under reed screens to to block out direct sunlight, and is harvested, steamed, and ground according to centuries old traditions.
The Japanese, as with a lot of their food, place a lot of emphasis on matcha's freshness; it has a relatively short shelf life, something like 90 days. As a result, it's sort of hard to find good matcha in the United states.
It's prepared by whisking it in hot water until it's frothy. The final product is opaque and bright green. The flavor is smooth and slightly sweet. It's caffeine is countered by the presence of a chemical called L-theanine, which increases the alpha wave activities in the brain and creates a feeling of relaxation.
The best shop in Kyoto to purchase tea of any sort is a place called Ippodo, which I was fortunate enough to visit. You can also order from their website, which I plan to do frequently.
Matcha is a type of Japanese green tea that is ground into a powder. It's closely associated with Japanese culture, as it has been used in tea ceremonies there for centuries. There's been a lot written of it's health benefits; it's supposed to be super high in antioxidants and vitamin C.
I fell in love with it on a recent trip to Japan. It has a totally different taste than other green teas. This is probably due to the high standards in cultivation and preparation. The tea plants used to make matcha are grown under reed screens to to block out direct sunlight, and is harvested, steamed, and ground according to centuries old traditions.
The Japanese, as with a lot of their food, place a lot of emphasis on matcha's freshness; it has a relatively short shelf life, something like 90 days. As a result, it's sort of hard to find good matcha in the United states.
It's prepared by whisking it in hot water until it's frothy. The final product is opaque and bright green. The flavor is smooth and slightly sweet. It's caffeine is countered by the presence of a chemical called L-theanine, which increases the alpha wave activities in the brain and creates a feeling of relaxation.
The best shop in Kyoto to purchase tea of any sort is a place called Ippodo, which I was fortunate enough to visit. You can also order from their website, which I plan to do frequently.
posted by Dadaisimo at 2:18 PM
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