For years, matcha tea – that extremely rich, green-looking tea – has been a go-to for connoisseurs around the globe. Matcha has grown in popularity massively in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. However, according to some, matcha tea is not something you can enjoy at home. The preparation required is, according to some, simply too much. Is this true? Absolutely not!
You can easily enjoy matcha tea, a rich antioxidant-laden beverage, in the comfort of your own home. Yes, you will need to have a preparation station you will, but it is no different from making any other traditional tea or coffee drink.
What do you need to enjoy matcha tea at home?
To get started, you should look to invest in a matcha tea set. These will come with all of the usual things you need to make this Japanese powdered tea dish. Most of the time, this will involve using a specific kind of sieve to help filter through the matcha and ensure you get the right mixture and blend. Simply pouring in the matcha as you would some coffee granules can lead to an overly bitter, astringent taste.
The three items you need to make matcha tea include:
• A tea bowl. This bowl is vital for making sure that you can mix in the tea with the water without it clumping up or forming a kind of thick, pasty texture towards the bottom of the cup
• A whisk. A whisk is needed to help make sure you can avoid the above. A bamboo whisk is best as this does not pass on any flavors and it will ensure the matcha is blended accordingly
• A scoop. The scoop is simply used to make sure you get a nice, layered amount of matcha. Most matcha tea sets will come with a scoop that gives you the right amount and quantity desired
You also, crucially, need to choose a flavor of matcha that you like. Everyone has their own taste, so you should spend a bit of time reviewing the options and determining what would be the best option for you personally. This might involve some trial and error.
The grade of your matcha matters, too. Higher-grade matcha tea is typically more bitter and aromatic; lower-grade stuff is lighter in terms of the strength of taste. However, even low-grade matcha can be great for you – do not assume that low-grade matcha is a poor substitute.
Stick with the above, and you should find it easier to buy, prepare, and enjoy matcha tea at home!