The world of tea is a vast and varied place, with different types that originate from all over the globe. One type, in particular, has been taking the Western world by storm: Matcha Tea. However, as this article will show you, there are many different brands of matcha tea to choose from – which one should you try first? Read on for our list of some of the most popular matcha brands around the world.
What is matcha?
Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown tea leaves. During this special production process, the leaves are shade-grown for about three weeks before harvesting, which results in higher concentrations of amino acids and chlorophyll than an average green tea. The name ‘matcha’ comes from the Japanese verb “to crush” since the tea used to be part of a culinary tradition where expensive ingredients were “crushed” into smaller parts that would fit into a tiny spoon. Nowadays, traditional Matcha preparation involves whisking it straight into hot water, but you can also enjoy it as a latte or even ice cream!
Types of Matcha
There are two types of matcha: ceremonial grade and culinary grade.
Ceremonial grade matcha: It comes from the youngest, freshest leaves and is bright green, having a taste that’s lighter and sweeter compared to culinary matcha.
Culinary grade matcha: it is made from older leaves and stems, which are ground much thicker than ceremonial matcha. Culinary grade tends to give a more earthy flavor with stronger umami notes (and less sweetness) compared to ceremonial grade. Over time, as you buy more culinary grade matcha powder it should acquire a brighter color and milder flavor as well (also known as “effervescence”), but this depends on storage conditions such as humidity at home/in your pantry!
How to Make a Matcha Latte?
Step 1: Heat your milk (skim or almond is the most popular choice).
Step 2: Whisk one level teaspoon of matcha powder in a mug with 30 ml (1 fl oz) of hot water. If you want to add calories, try using whole milk or even heavy cream. For added sweetness, consider honey instead of sugar! The stronger the tea flavor you’d like in your latte, the more matcha powder you can use.
Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha
Most importantly, drinking matcha will help provide nutrients that assist in stabilizing blood sugar levels for several hours after consumption. It’s also rich in antioxidants that help fight cancer cells and free radicals, which are responsible for causing diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and so much more!
The Most Popular Brands in the World
1. Umemto Sencha Matcha Light
2. Kashi Flavored Matcha Tea With Cocoa Nibs And Vanilla
3. Nakamura Seimen USA Peach Blossom Match
4. Itoen Cha Matcha Green Tea Powder
Conclusion
Matcha is a popular tea that has been around for centuries, but it only surged in popularity recently. In this article, we’ve gathered the most well-known brands of matcha from all over the world and provided information about them so you can find your perfect match. We hope this article helps to introduce people who are new to Matcha or just want more options – because there’s no one “best” brand out there!
