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Matcha is one of the most popular beverages today due to its unique flavor and health benefits.
Premium quality matcha in Dubai is rich in antioxidants, which help combat inflammation and chronic diseases. The finely ground green tea powder also contains L-theanine, a nutrient that promotes relaxation without any unwanted drowsiness.
Additionally, matcha’s vibrant green color and versatility in recipes, from lattes to desserts, appeal to both health-conscious and culinary enthusiasts. The cultural appeal of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies has captivated people everywhere as well, adding to the beverage’s allure and popularity.
If you have yet to try matcha, there’s no better time than now to do so.
How to Make Great-Tasting Matcha at Home
For many, matcha is considered an acquired taste. If you’re tasting matcha for the first time, you may also be confused and have mixed reactions regarding its unique flavor.
However, you don’t have to waste time and money experimenting to enjoy a cup of matcha you’ll love sipping on every time. You can follow these simple tips to create the perfect beverage at home:
- Choose only high-grade matcha.
The first and most important step for enjoying the perfect cup at home is to buy good-quality matcha.
Dull brown, dark green and yellow-green powdered products tend to taste bitter when served as beverages. As such, these varieties are often better used in cooking.
The best matcha for drinking is bright green and has an enticing, fresh, herbaceous smell. When you have this product at home, there’s little room for error when making and enjoying the perfect cup of matcha.
- Sift and break clumps of powder.
Matcha clumps are common in opened packages. To prevent these from developing, transfer the powder into an airtight glass container and keep it in a dry, dark area in your kitchen or pantry. Ensure you close the container tightly after opening it to keep out moisture.
When you see lumps of matcha in the container or package, use a fine mesh or a sieve to sift them. Doing so makes it easier to mix the powder with water.
With a well-blended beverage, you can enjoy consistent quality and taste from each sip.
- Avoid using hot water.
Using hot water when making matcha can affect its taste and health benefits. This is because matcha is delicate and pouring water over 175°F (80°C) can scorch it, resulting in a bitter and unpleasant flavor. Boiling water can also affect the nutritional content of the beverage.
To preserve the tea’s natural sweetness and nutrient content, always use water with temperatures between 160 to 175°F (70-80°C). This tip also ensures you maintain the beverage’s vibrant green color, which enhances its visual appeal.
If you want to be sure you get the right temperature all the time, invest in a variable-temperature kettle. You can also use a thermometer to check the water’s temperature before pouring it over the powder.
- Avoid adding too much water.
The ideal cup of matcha has a very concentrated flavor, which you won’t get when you water it down.
There are two ways to make traditional matcha: usucha and koicha. Usucha is the most common preparation, which is a thin, frothy tea. It is usually made by adding 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha to 4 ounces of water.
Koicha is a thicker, more concentrated preparation. It entails adding 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha to an ounce of water.
To ensure you make the ideal cup of tea, use a measuring cup or spoon. If you think it is too concentrated or strong, add more water to get the flavor that suits your taste buds.
- Invest in a matcha bowl.
A chawan, or matcha bowl, is crucial for making authentic and delicious matcha. The bowl’s wide, shallow design makes it easier to use a chasen to whisk the beverage properly.
Additionally, the tea bowl’s size and shape allow you to whisk vigorously without spilling the matcha and ensure you create a creamy foam.
The aesthetic and tactile experience of using a traditional matcha bowl also enhances your tea-making experience, connecting you to the fascinating cultural heritage of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
- Use a whisk.
Making matcha is not the same as making coffee, which means you won’t be able to dissolve the powder and mix the beverage completely by stirring it with a spoon.
To mix the beverage thoroughly, use a frother. This tool ensures you evenly blend the powder and water and get that creamy foam on top.
However, if you want to make authentic matcha at home, consider getting a chasen, a Japanese tea whisk made of 100 bamboo bristles.
To make great matcha, hold the chasen lightly and whisk the dirk vigorously in a “W” or “M” motion. This creates a frothy layer on top, giving the beverage a smooth, creamy texture.
Whisk continuously until the matcha is fully dissolved and a thick foam forms. Next, pour the whisked matcha into your cup and add more water or milk for the perfect beverage.
As a final tip, add sugar, agave or other unflavored sweeteners if you want to sweeten your tea. However, keep an eye on the amount you put to avoid masking the matcha’s authentic flavor.
Enjoying the perfect cup of matcha may seem a bit time-consuming. However, by following these tips, you can indulge in a great beverage and the relaxing experience of making it.
