The Ultimate Guide to Matcha: Origins, Types, Uses and Benefits

Matcha has taken the world by storm. From artisan coffee shops selling creamy lattes to beauty companies using it in skincare products, this finely ground green powder is everywhere. But beyond this trend is a tradition that spans centuries and an extraordinary health story. Whether you are an avid matcha fan, or just curious about it, this study will cover every aspect of this vibrant tea,  including its origin, types of matcha, uses and benefits, and what it is that makes Japanese matcha tea the gold standard.

What is Matcha?

Simply put, Matcha is a type of powdered green tea made from shade-grown tea leaves. Unlike traditional green tea, where the leaves are steeped in water and then thrown away, with matcha, you’re actually consuming the entire tea leaf in powdered form. This means you’re receiving all of the vitamins, antioxidants, and other specific compounds that the green tea plant has to offer.

Matcha offers a unique flavour; smooth and creamy, with umami notes, and the unmistakable bright emerald green colour, all due to its cultivation process. This makes matcha one of the best types of green tea to consume not just for health benefits, but also for the flavour as well.

So,  can any green tea be powdered to make a matcha? Not exactly! While all green teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, the tea used for making matcha is grown and processed in a different way than regular green tea, so you’re getting an increased nutritional profile and stronger flavour.

Origins of Matcha

Matcha tea has its roots in the 7th-century China, during the Tang dynasty, when tea leaves were put through the steaming process, pressed into bricks, and occasionally ground into what we know today as matcha for ease of transport. 

In the 12th century, Zen monks from Japan who were studying in China returned to Japan and brought the practice of powdered tea with them. Successively, Japan developed the powdered tea, creating the ceremonial form we still practice today. The practice of preparation and consumption became central to the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu), representing mindfulness, respect, and tranquillity. 

The cultural elements we have today remain with us and, in fact, Japanese matcha is now seen as the highest quality matcha product available, a reminder of carrying centuries of tradition and perfection with us today.

Types of Matcha (By Quality Grade)

When seeking the finest matcha tea, it is useful to know about the various grades that are available:

• Ceremonial Grade : The highest grade, composed of young leaves with beautiful colour and a delicate, smooth flavour and fine ground in stone. This is the matcha that is used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, and is best enjoyed straight and pure just whisked with hot water. Example: Tea People Matcha Gold

• Premium Grade : Slightly lower grade than ceremonial grade but still of excellent quality. This is the matcha that is suitable for daily drinking (lattes, smoothies etc). This has a balanced taste, sweet with a hint of bitterness and is good for people who drink their matcha daily but do not require ceremonial precision. Example : Tea People Matcha Silver

• Culinary or Cooking Grade: Slightly less delicate, yet a high grade still, and perfect for day-to-day drinking, and versatile enough to use in lattes, smoothies or for baking.

Both have their place, ceremonial for auspicious occasions and latte grade is for everyday enjoyment. Understanding the types of matcha makes it easier to choose the right one for your lifestyle.

How Matcha is Made

The method of producing matcha is almost as interesting as the beverage itself.

• Shade-growing: 3 to 4 weeks before harvest, tea bushes are covered to avoid sunlight. This process encourages high chlorophyll levels, giving the leaves their vivid green colour, and increases amino acids such as L-theanine.

• Harvesting: The youngest, tender tea leaves are hand-picked carefully and selectively.

• Steaming and drying: The leaves are steamed to prevent oxidation and preserve the nutrients.

• De-stemming: The stems and veins are removed from the leaves, allowing only the softest parts to be left.

• Stone-grinding: Lastly, the leaves are slowly ground in granite mills (low temperature), to keep the flavour and nutrients.

This meticulous process explains why high-quality Japanese matcha tea stands out from other green teas.

Uses of Matcha

One of the benefits of matcha is its versatility. Here are some general applications of matcha tea:

• Traditional style: Matcha is whisked with a bamboo whisk (chasen) in a bowl (chawan) with hot water. Tea People also has complete matcha tea sets that include a spoon (chasaku) and a whisk holder (kuse naoshi).

• Modern drink: Matcha lattes, iced matcha, or smoothies are contemporary ways to enjoy it each day.

• Food applications: Cakes, cookies, and pancakes are numerous applications, including savoury items like matcha salt, with endless recipes to choose from. Explore Tea People’s matcha recipes for inspiration.

• Skin and Wellness: Some people use matcha in homemade face masks for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Whether you’re making a calming bowl in the morning or adding it to a dessert, there’s no shortage of ideas for how to make matcha part of your life.

Health Benefits of Matcha

Not only is matcha delicious, but it is also full of nutrients. Matcha has health benefits, which include: 

• Antioxidant power: Matcha provides a good source of catechins, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which may help fight free radicals. 

• Soothing alertness: Natural caffeine combined with the amino acid L-theanine provides a calm alertness and sustained energy without the jitters. Matcha makes a great substitute for coffee! 

• Metabolic support: Some studies suggest it can gently increase metabolism to support your weight management efforts when used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. 

• Detoxifying: Its high chlorophyll content helps to support natural detoxification processes. 

• Cognitive benefits: Early studies have suggested matcha may support focus and mental clarity. 

Health benefits of drinking matcha tea go beyond the wellness trends; they are backed by thousands of years of tradition and increasing scientific evidence.

Matcha vs Green Tea: What’s the Difference?

A common question is, Matcha vs Regular Green Tea, which is better? Here’s a quick comparison:

Japanese vs Chinese Matcha: Quality & Taste

Not all matcha is created equal. Here’s how Japanese matcha stacks up against Chinese matcha:

Japanese methods have been refined for centuries, which is why Japanese matcha tea dominates the premium market.

Does Matcha Contain Caffeine?

Indeed, matcha does have caffeine, approximately 38 to 176 mg per teaspoon, whereas a cup of coffee has about 100mg. 

But unlike coffee, which is a quick release of caffeine, matcha has L-theanine that causes the caffeine to ramp up slowly. This results in calm, focused energy vs. that crazy buzz. 

So if you’re asking, does matcha tea have caffeine, the answer is yes, but it’s caffeine that’s beneficial.

Buying and Storing Tips

When it comes to enjoying the best matcha tea, quality matters. Here are some key points to look for when buying:

• Origin: Always choose authentic Japanese matcha, as Japan has centuries of tradition and strict quality standards.

• Processing: Look for shade-grown, hand-picked, and stone-ground matcha. These methods preserve nutrients and ensure a smooth, vibrant powder.

• Appearance: High-quality matcha should be a bright emerald green with a fine, silky texture. Dull or yellowish powders usually indicate lower quality.

• Packaging: Opt for airtight, opaque containers that protect the tea from light, air, and moisture.

How to Store Matcha

To keep your matcha fresh and flavourful, store it properly:

• Seal the container tightly after every use to prevent oxidation.

• Keep it in a cool, dark place, ideally in the fridge.

• Use it within a few months of opening to enjoy its full flavour and nutritional benefits.

Handled with care, your matcha will stay as vibrant and delicious as the day you opened it.

Conclusion

Matcha isn't just a trend, it's an ancient practice that combines deliciousness, culture and health. From its inception in Zen monasteries to your morning latte, matcha continues to fascinate tea drinkers around the globe.  

Whether it’s for the health benefits, the mindful practice of whisking, or the fact it's simply delicious and versatile, there it is!  

Curious to try authentic matcha? Check out Tea People’s matcha tea collection and discover why it’s one of the best matcha teas on the market. Shop today and take your tea journey to a whole new level.