Matcha 101: history, health benefits and preparation of the green tea

Matcha, the bright green tea powder from Japan, has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. Known for its health benefits and versatile uses, matcha is far more than just a trendy drink.

History and origin

Although matcha has its origins in China in the 7th century, it gained its true significance in Japan. In the 12th century, Zen masters brought the tea to Japan and perfected its preparation. There it quickly became the central element of the "Chanoyu" tea ceremony and turned into a symbol of Japanese culture and spirituality. The tea master Sen no Rikyū played a decisive role in the development of the Japanese tea ceremony. He emphasised simplicity and modesty and turned the tea ceremony into an art form that goes beyond simply drinking tea and is deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Japanese tea ceremony 1931, Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-12423 / CC-BY-SA 3.0

Cultivation and quality characteristics

High-quality matcha is grown under special conditions. The tea plants are shaded for around three to four weeks before harvesting. This shading increases the production of chlorophyll and amino acids, which gives the tea its bright green color and sweet taste. After harvesting, the tea leaves are steamed, dried and the stems and veins are removed. This pure leaf part, known as tencha, is then ground into an extremely fine powder in granite stone mills. This slow grinding process, which produces only 30 grams of matcha per hour, preserves the quality and taste of the tea. High-quality matcha is characterized by its bright green color, fine, almost powdery grind and sweet taste.

Tea plantation in Uji, Japan

How do you recognize the quality of a good matcha?

The quality of matcha can be judged by several factors. High-quality matcha is characterized by a bright emerald green color. Pale or yellowish shades indicate a lower quality. The texture should be fine and powdery, without coarse grains. The taste of good matcha is sweet and rich in umami, without bitter notes. The aroma should be fresh and grassy. Another quality feature is the dense, fine-pored foam that forms when whisked. The combination of these characteristics helps to reliably assess the quality of matcha.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder

Health-promoting nutrients

Matcha is rich in valuable nutrients. These include antioxidants, in particular epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), vitamins such as A, C and E, as well as fiber and chlorophyll. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is valued for its calming properties. These ingredients make matcha a unique drink with many benefits.

Wie wird Matcha richtig zubereitet?

The traditional preparation of matcha is an elaborate ceremony known in Japan as "chanoyu". First, the matcha powder is passed through a fine sieve to remove any lumps. The powder is then placed in a preheated tea bowl (chawan). Hot water, around 80°C, is added. Using a special bamboo whisk, the chasen, the tea is whisked in quick, W-shaped movements. The aim is to achieve a smooth, frothy consistency that brings out the rich aroma and taste of the matcha. This method requires practice and dedication to find the perfect balance.

Traditional tea ceremony, photo: mrhayata

Matcha at MARU

Matcha plays a central role for us at MARU, and we attach great importance to using only high-quality ceremonial grade matcha powder. Our aim is to preserve Japanese traditions by preparing each matcha in a small tea ceremony using original Japanese utensils. Our guests can then enjoy the matcha in a traditional ceramic bowl or take it away as a to-go variant. Alternatively, we also offer our first-class matcha powder for sale on site so that you can create your own high-quality matcha at home.

きてね! - Kite ne! - See you soon!

Traditional matcha at MARU in a porcelain bowl

MARU is a Japanese comfort food takeaway at Zurich main station that specializes in culinary highlights of Japanese cuisine that are still largely undiscovered in this country. Bestsellers include gourmet donburi, traditional udon noodle soups and crispy Japanese fried chicken (karaage). Matcha fans will get their money's worth at the integrated Matcha Bar, with various creations traditionally prepared with high-quality matcha powder from Uji.