Matcha is made from tencha, leaf that is shaded under mats for about three weeks before it is picked. The shade drives the chlorophyll up, which is where the color comes from, and the leaf is then steamed, dried and stone-ground to powder. Because it is a powder you are drinking the leaf itself, not an infusion of it.
The Japanese tea ceremony, Chanoyu, was shaped more by Sen no Rikyu in the 1500s than by anyone else; Rikyu wrote: "Though many people drink tea, if you do not know the Way of Tea, tea will drink you up." The ceremony still matters in Japan, but the rules around matcha outside it have loosened a great deal. Whisked in a bowl, shaken over ice, or stirred into milk: it is the same powder.
Bring filtered or spring water to 170°F. Add .5tsp of tea leaves to an 8oz cup. Pour boiling water over the tea leaves and let steep minutes.
Ceremonial Matcha: Please note that in order to brew Ceremonial Matcha you will need a set of Japanese tea ceremony tools. (Bowls, scoops, and a whisk).
1. Prepare tea bowls by warming them with boiled water.
2. Prepare your Matcha whisk by soaking the tip in the boiled water in one of the bowls for about 10 seconds.
3. Pour the water out and dry the bowl with a paper towel.
4. Using your teaspoon, add 2 scoops of Matcha to each bowl.
5. Pour 1/3 of a cup of your hot water into each bowl.
6. In a slow "m' motion, submerge any loose bits of Matcha that may be floating on the surface of the tea.
7. Whisk the tea more briskly in a back and forth motion until the surface of the Matcha becomes frothy.
8. Consume immediately. (In Japan, it is customary to drink the entire bowl in 3 quick slurps).
Matcha Iced Latte: The drink that’s taking the west coast by storm!
For this recipe you will need per serving: 1/2 tsp matcha, 2 oz hot water, 3 tsp sugar, 4 oz milk, 8 ice cubes, and 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1. Mix the matcha and hot water in a bowl. Stir with a whisk until completely dissolved.
2. Stir in the sugar.
3. Add milk and stir. If you like add vanilla at this step.
4. Add ice and put the mixture in a blender. Blend until smooth. If you donà t have a blender simply drink over the ice.
