Matcha

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a universally loved Japanese ingredient that translates to ‘powdered tea’. It’s a vibrant green powder that’s made using the leaves from the same plant as green tea which has been harvested and stone-ground into a fine texture for use in drinks and food.

While green tea leaves are left to dehydrate in the sun for an extended time, matcha leaves are covered for up to 30 days before they’re harvested. This important step increases the amount of chlorophyll in matcha which is what gives it such a brilliant green hue, as well as boosts its amino acid content.

Once harvested, the leaves have their stems and veins removed before being stone crushed to create the familiar green matcha powder we know and love – ready to be stirred into drinks or added into any number of dishes, healthy snacks and desserts.

As the whole leaf has been used to make the product, matcha is loaded with more antioxidants and caffeine than you’ll find in regular green tea, making it an ingredient that’s praised for its amazing healing properties.

You can find organic matcha powder online at GoodnessMe that is 100% natural, vegan, dairy free and gluten-free. Make some matcha tea with our high-quality matcha tea bags from Pukka, whip up a creamy matcha latte using our powder blends by Jomeis Fine Foods or snack on a probiotic ball by Purabon with matcha and cacao for the ultimate guilt-free treat!

What Does Matcha Taste Like?

Matcha is similar to green tea with a sweet, grassy and somewhat bitter taste. You can find matcha in two different types and they both have different flavour profiles.

Ceremonial grade matcha is matcha powder that is made from the youngest green tea leaves for a lighter, more delicate flavour. This type of matcha is of the highest grade and is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. It is usually mixed with water only as it’s easy to overpower its purity.

On the other hand, culinary grade matcha is made using slightly older tea leaves for a stronger, richer taste that can hold its own against other flavours and is frequently used in baking, lattes and desserts.

Is Matcha Good For You?

Matcha is a powerhouse of nutrients that have been proven to help the body combat a wide range of chronic illnesses. In fact, matcha is even better for you than drinking traditional green tea as you’re consuming the entire leaf, rather than just steeping the leaves in water and drinking the essence.

Here are some of the major matcha benefits:

1. Rich in antioxidants – Matcha tea is loaded with catechins which is a type of antioxidant. These wonders help fight free radicals in the body which can cause cell damage and may lead to disease and illness.
2. Enhances brain function – Matcha contains a more concentrated hit of caffeine, which has been known to boost focus, improve clarity and increase memory.
3. Lowers cholesterol – Just like green tea, matcha may be helpful in protecting against heart disease as it helps to lower the bad LDL cholesterol and may help to reduce the chance of strokes when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
4. Helps weight loss - Matcha comes from the same plant as green tea and, as such, may be a great aid in shifting unwanted kilos. It’s thought to speed up the metabolism and help to burn fat faster.

What Is Matcha Powder?

Green tea matcha powder is ground up green tea leaves that have undergone a unique harvesting process to enhance their vibrancy and infuse them with additional vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

As the veins and stems have been removed, matcha powder has a smooth, silky feel and a rich, velvety texture which makes it amazing in lattes when combined with your favourite milk.

Our Zen Green Matcha Green Tea Powder is 100% Japanese, harvested to create a pure and high quality matcha. With its bright green colour, it’s the perfect product to stir into teas or to make a huge range of scrumptious snacks and desserts, from matcha protein balls and ice cream to cakes, slices, cheesecakes, or even sprinkled over your morning granola!

Does Matcha Have Caffeine In It?

As a form of green tea that uses ground up whole green tea leaves, matcha has a higher caffeine content than regular green tea or herbal tea. However, both green tea and brewed matcha contain less caffeine than a hot coffee and black tea.

How Do You Make Matcha? 

This is the fun part! The way you use matcha will ultimately depend on whether you want to drink it or eat it, but it’s great to start out by experiencing its wonderful taste and texture in a beverage. A traditional matcha green tea is made with just water and matcha powder, but you can easily turn this drink into a luxuriously thick latte using these simple steps:

1. Buy matcha online from GoodnessMe. Try a premium grade matcha such as our powders from Jomeis Fine Foods, Zen Green and Matcha Maiden.
2. Start with a teaspoon (add more to taste) and mix into a mug with hot water. Use a matcha whisk to remove the lumps. To be traditional, try using a bamboo whisk!
3. Add your choice of milk while whisking constantly to get a good froth. Choose from our range of alternative milks, including oat milk, hemp milk, almond milk and coconut milk. 
4. Add a sweetener if you need, such as honey or monkfruit syrup.
5. Relax and enjoy with one of our healthy snacks, including cookies, snack bars and chocolate covered fruit.