When you hear the word "matcha," you might think of tea shops or Japanese sweet shops. Its vibrant green color and slightly bitter, yet delicious, special flavor attract many people. However, a cup of matcha actually contains a long history of over 1,000 years and a lot of ingenuity.

Was matcha a medicine?: The beginning of history

Matcha first came to Japan during the Kamakura period, about 800 years ago. It was brought back from China by the Buddhist monk Eisai. At the time, matcha wasn't just a drink to enjoy like it is today, but was used as a medicine to wake you up and to tone the body. Eisai wrote a book titled "Tea is the best medicine for your health" to spread the word about its benefits to everyone.

It then spread among the samurai class and became an important drink for improving concentration. During the Muromachi period, wealthy samurai began to hold lavish tea ceremonies, displaying expensive utensils imported from China.

The Spirit of "Wabi-Sabi": Sen no Rikyu, who made tea a quiet art

The person who completely changed this extravagant trend was Sen no Rikyu. Rikyu incorporated Zen teachings (ways of calming the mind) and perfected the way of drinking tea based on the concept of "wabi-sabi."

"Wabi-sabi" is a special Japanese concept that finds beauty in simple and modest things. Rikyu abandoned luxurious tools and rooms and instead placed importance on quietly preparing tea in a simple tea room. By quietly savoring a cup of matcha together, he fostered feelings of consideration for one another and the ability to reflect on oneself.

Why does matcha have such a special color and flavor?: How to create a miracle

Matcha's unique color and flavor come from a special production method that is completely different from that of sencha and hojicha, and is made using a time-consuming method.

1. Growing in shade: The raw material for matcha is a tea plantation called tencha. When new shoots appear, the entire tea field is covered with black cloth to block out sunlight. This is called cover cultivation.

2. Increased umami and reduced bitterness: When grown away from sunlight, tea leaves work hard to photosynthesize. During this process, a large amount of theanine, a component that makes tea delicious, is produced. At the same time, less catechin, a component that makes tea bitter, is produced. This is why matcha has a mellow umami and a strong sweetness. It also maintains its vibrant green color.

3. Grinding into powder in a stone mill: The picked tea leaves are steamed and dried. Then, the stems and veins (leaf veins) are carefully removed, leaving only the leaves. Finally, they are ground into powder slowly over time using a tool called a stone mill. By grinding slowly in a stone mill, heat does not build up and the powder becomes fine and fluffy.

Types of Matcha and How to Choose Them

There are two main types of matcha.

Usucha : This is matcha made with plenty of hot water and whisked together. It has a light texture and a good balance of bitterness and umami, making it ideal for everyday use or for making sweets.

Koicha (thick tea) : Matcha made with less hot water and kneaded until thick and creamy. No foam is created. This is a highly concentrated matcha flavor and is used in the most formal occasions. Only high-quality matcha can be made into koicha.

If you want to understand the true wonder of matcha, we recommend that you try making it yourself. Put matcha and hot water in a tea bowl and shake it with a tool called a tea whisk to create fluffy bubbles. This time should be a special time to calm your mind and reflect on yourself.

A new way to enjoy matcha

In the past, it was drunk as part of the tea ceremony (tea etiquette), but now it can be enjoyed more freely.

When combined with milk and sugar, matcha makes a delicious latte, ice cream, cake, and more, with its slightly bitter matcha flavor.

Recently, matcha has become more popular in bread and cooking.

Introducing recommended matcha products

A specialty store for high-end matcha sweets

SAHANJI AEON Mall Hiyoshizu store

I recommend the matcha latte.

https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/684639622c01a

Matcha and coffee shop

Green&Black cafe

I recommend the matcha tiramisu.

https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/65dd3e266cd19

summary

Matcha is not just a drink or food, but a profound "green art" that conveys Japan's long history, special techniques, and beautiful spirit. Why not try making a cup of matcha and experience its profound world?