Japanese Izu Matcha Green Tea - Loose Leaf

The Izu Matcha Tea blend from English Tea Store is one of the most celebrated and most famous teas in the world. Japanese Matcha is a powdered green tea that is used in Japanese tea ceremonies, and has been used as such for centuries. The ancient Japanese believe that tea was a gift from the heavens, and as such, held great restorative and spiritual power. Ancient Japanese poet, Sen no Rikyu who is considered to be the most influential on the development of the tea ceremony (or Chanoyu), believed "though many people drink tea, if you do not know the Way of Tea, tea will drink you up."

Matcha is made using pure luxury sencha green tea and Gyokuro leaves that have been shaded under special shade covers for 3 weeks before plucking. Shading forces the plants to produce higher than normal chlorophyll levels, giving the leaves a rich green color. Once plucked, the leaves are steamed and dried. Next, they are stripped of all stems and veins, resulting in a pure leaf that is stone-ground into the fine powder tea lovers are familiar with. Having identified a high altitude Western Kenyan tea with 3 times the antioxidant value of regular green tea, this Matcha blend is blended with traditional Japan Izu. The flavory green character and emerald appearance is not altered, but the antioxidants are significantly boosted.

The rules around drinking Matcha have loosened, however. What was once saved only for ceremony, has found its way into everyday life. Matcha can now be found served cold, as an ingredient in health shakes, ice creams, and even baked goods. One common misconception people have of Matcha is that is must be brewed according to the strict guidelines of the Cha no yu ceremony. In reality, Matcha can be brewed many different ways.

Hot tea brewing method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn water to a rolling boil and let cool to roughly 180°F/°C. Place approximately of a teaspoon of Matcha in your cup. Infuse with 8 ounces/250 milliliter of water, whisk briskly and enjoy.

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).

• Prepare tea bowls by warming them with boiled water
• Prepare your Matcha whisk by soaking the tip in the boiled water in one of the bowls for about 10 seconds
• Pour the water out and dry the bowl with a paper towel
• Using your teaspoon, add 2 scoops of Matcha to each bowl
• Pour ⅓ of a cup of your hot water into each bowl
• In a slow "m" motion, submerge any loose bits of Matcha that may be floating on the surface of the tea
• Whisk the tea more briskly in a back and forth motion until the surface of the Matcha becomes frothy
• Consume immediately. (In Japan, it is customary to drink the entire bowl in 3 quick slurps)

Hot matcha latte brewing methods - fast method: Use ½ teaspoon (1 gram) per 8 ounce (225 milliliter) serving. Add ½ teaspoon (1 gram) to base of cup and add 2 ounces of hot water & mix vigorously to make a smooth paste-like liquid. Top with freshly steamed milk (or substitute) and sweeten to taste. (Try maple syrup or honey)

Iced matcha latte brewing methods: Use ½ teaspoon (1 gram) per 8 ounce (225 millliliter) serving. Add ½ teaspoon (1 gram) to base of cup and add 2 ounces of hot water and mix vigorously to make a smooth paste-like liquid. Top with freshly steamed milk (or substitute) and sweeten to taste. Cool for 30-60 minutes and pour over ice.

Slow brewed Iced Matcha: Place 3 level teaspoons of Matcha into a glass pitcher. Fill pitcher with ice and let sit. After a few hours, ice will have melted and tea brewed. Stir vigorously to ensure the Matcha goes into suspension. Pour over ice and enjoy.

Matcha Ginger Tea with crushed ice and lime: (Ingredients: 2 level teaspoons of Matcha, 2 tablespoons of chopped ginger, ½ cup ice, juice of ½ lime, dash of honey)

• Blend ice, Matcha and ginger in a blender until ice is crushed
• Pour into a chilled glass
• Add lime juice and honey to taste

Available in 3 sizes (Please select from the options above):

• First time trying English Tea Store's Japanese Izu Matcha Green Loose Leaf Tea?

  Try our Sample Size of 1 ounce.
• Contents loose leaf tea net weight 2 ounces
• Contents loose leaf tea net weight 8 ounces

Caffeine content: Very High - This tea contains natural caffeine found in the L. Camellia Sinensis family. A cup of green tea steeped in boiled water for 5 minutes will contain between 22 to 29 milligrams of caffeine. An equal sized cup of coffee will contain between 80 - 100 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine quickly becomes soluble in very hot water. If you wish to reduce the caffeine level in this tea, briefly rinsing the tea leaves in extremely hot water will reduce the caffeine content between 25-50% with only a minor effect on taste.

Antioxidant Content: Medium - When consuming matcha you actually consume all the tea leaves. Scientific testing in Japan has indicated that on account of this fact the antioxidant benefit of matcha can be up to 5-9 greater then with normal green tea consumed in the conventional manner.