Matcha Tea: Everything You Need to Know About This Healthful Elixir

The Matcha tea , or Matcha tea is a very fine Japanese green tea.

Grown in Japan , it appears as a fine, fragrant powder of an intense green.

The best and most valuable matcha comes from the Uji region in the southern outskirts of Kyoto city for its particular optimal climatic conditions.

But an excellent quality of Matcha green tea is also grown in the mountainous areas of the prefectures of Kagoshima, Aichi and Shizuoka.

Also fundamental are the traditional cultivation and processing methods that are very ancient.

The method of preparation of matcha tea , which does not take place through infusion, as with all other common teas, but through suspension.

The powder is dissolved directly in hot water in a large bowl using traditional tools.

This way of drinking tea originated in China and dates back more than 2000 years. Even today in Japan this "ceremonial" is performed for the preparation of Matcha tea , which gives it a greater concentration than the usual infusion.

Where is it grown?

The ideal soil and climate conditions for tea cultivation are essential for obtaining a high-quality, premium Matcha green tea.

The Regions where the finest Matcha tea is grown are:

• Uji in Kyoto Prefecture,
• Kagoshima Prefecture,
• Aichi Prefecture,
• Shizuoka Prefecture.

The type of plantations also varies depending on the cultivation area.

The main ones variety of plantations I am:

• Yabukita,
• Okumidori,
• Samudori,
• Asahi.

Surely the Yabukita is the main planting variety from which the Matcha tea more valuable and good.

How is Matcha tea grown?

Matcha tea comes harvested around mid-May , but 15-20 days earlier than Japanese growers They protect the plantations from the sun.

In ancient times, straw was used, but today tents are used, the number of which gradually increases until the harvest.

This method of cultivation preserves all the properties of Matcha tea intact and unaltered.

Protecting the leaves from the sun means maintain high levels of chlorophyll and theanine and this is very important to preserve the beneficial properties of this drink.

How is Matcha processed?

Green tea leaves are handpicked and with great care by Japanese growers around mid-May.

Only the following are chosen: leaves of the first harvest , the smallest and most recently born ones.

This process differentiates Matcha tea into various quality grades.

The small leaves of the first harvest are treated steam for about 20 seconds.

In this way the oxidation process is blocked , and this is a typical process for all types of green tea.

Then they are left to dry.

From this moment on, tea takes the name of PEARL.

At this point from these dried leaves you remove the central veins and the hardest parts to be discarded and are dried again, taking the name of TENS.

Only at this point does the Japanese Tea Master have the task of testing the Tencha coming from different types of plantations and varieties of plants.

Finally, the best qualities will be selected and then rigorously stone ground.

Stone grinding

Once you have selected the best product, the Tencha it is stone ground.

This grinding involves a large funnel where the Tencha is placed and at the base there are two stone blocks that at low speed they go to grind the tencha finally transforming it into MATCHA.

The color and flavor, as well as all the nutrients inside, are preserved by this processing method.

In fact the stone blocks rotate very slowly in this way temperatures do not rise and the properties remain intact.

In one hour of wheel grinding only 30 grams of Matcha tea are produced.

This certainly justifies the high cost of this product.

The 3 degrees of Matcha tea

There is a classification in the quality of Matcha teas.

The Three Different Types of Matcha They are distinguished based on the quality of the leaves that are collected and the processing method.

1. Grade 1 or Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea
2. Matcha tea grade 2 or Premium Grade
3. Culinary Matcha Tea

1. Grade 1 or Ceremonial Grade Matcha tea.

Grade 1 or Ceremonial Matcha tea it's the more valuable.

The plantations they are covered for at least 15 days before the harvest and only the first shoots, newly born leaves.

It is used take great care in removing the veins from the leaves.

The grinding is done by stone at low speed , in this way the beneficial properties and nutrients inside are preserved.

It presents itself as a very fine and fragrant powder of an intense green.

2. Grade 2 or Premium Grade Matcha Tea

Premium Matcha Tea is of slightly lower quality.

Leaves are used second harvest and the speed grinding may be higher.

The powder is certainly less fine and the coloring is less intense compared to the ceremonial.

3. Matcha Culinary Tea.

The quality of the culinary matcha it is the lowest.

They choose each other second and third harvest leaves and there is not much care in removing the veins.

The cost is lower and for this reason it is used in cooking , in the preparation of ice cream and desserts and as a natural colouring.

In any case it is important to always choose a Matcha tea that is organic , to ensure that fertilizers and pesticides have not been used on the plants.

Furthermore, the method of storing matcha tea is important, in fact, being very sensitive to light It should not be stored in glass jars because the light could alter its flavour and colour.

Why consume Matcha tea?

By consuming this Japanese green tea, you will get 100% of the power of the beneficial properties of green tea leaves.

The suspension mode, and not the infusion mode as with all other green teas, gives matcha tea a 100% concentration of nutrients.

Matcha tea has antioxidant properties superior to any other good quality green tea, and has high levels of theanine and caffeine.

The Importance of Theanine

There theanine It is an amino acid that It is commonly found in tea.

It is related to glutamine, and can cross the blood-brain barrier. For this reason, it has some very important psychoactive properties .

It seems that theanine is able to reduce psychophysical stress, producing a feeling of relaxation .

It would be able to improve the cognitive and character sphere when taken in combination with caffeine.

Theanine produces these effects because increases GABA production and dopamine levels in the brain , promoting moods such as calm and happiness.

Contraindications

There are no major contraindications to drinking matcha tea.

It may cause side effects if taken in excessive doses.

Since it contains caffeine, it is advisable not to drink it on an empty stomach. because it could cause nausea, especially if you are not used to it.

For those who are sensitive to caffeine, it is not necessary overdosing or drink it very concentrated because it could cause palpitations and tremors, or cause indigestion.