This time, I am writing about one of the things people all over the world love from Japan(it’s not anime, ramen, sushi, or mochi), the matcha! You may have seen or tasted it before, so now, let's take a closer look of this popular green tea everyone is talking about.

What is Matcha?

Matcha(抹茶) is a Japanese term for powdered green tea, "ma" means powder and "cha" means tea. The green tea plants or "Camella Sinensis" begins to sprout during spring season and are shade-grown to control its light exposure for more or less than three weeks. This increases the production of theanine which gives the matcha flavor, and chlorophyll for its dark green shade. The green tea leaves are then meticulously and delicately hand-picked, steamed, and dried. During the drying process, the veins and stems are separated. Then the leaves are ground by a stone mill to pulverize it into a very fine and smooth texture, producing the tea that everyone knows as matcha.

Most of us probably thought matcha originated in Japan. Wrong. It originated in China and was improved and popularized by Japan. Going back to its history, it is said that Japanese monks went to China around the 7th to 9th century to study Zen Buddhism. Aside from enriching themselves with Zen Buddhism, they also discovered the tea's amazing health benefits. And so they brought young tea trees with them in their return to Japan. A monk named Eisai, ignited the idea of drinking green tea to improve health. Drinking matcha was first adapted by Japanese monks while Rikyu Sen popularized tea ceremonies . Until then, farmers began to plant green tea in Obuku in Uji, Kyoto, Japan. Even at the present time, Kyoto is known as the home of matcha.

Long before matcha was produced by machines, the whole process was manually made by people. Only 4 kilograms could be produced in one day while with the help of machines today, around 400 to 800 kilograms can be made. The strenuous process and little production before made matcha a premium item which were only first available for people who belonged in the upper society.

Matcha is no longer popular in China today, so all thanks to Japan for making it so ever popular that it also became a mainstream beverage in many countries.

How To Spot A Good Quality Matcha

Like any other goods, matcha is produced of varying quality. Thus, not all matcha are equally the same. We may have tasted matcha but was the experience worth it? I may have tasted matcha flavored drinks and foods but I believe the kind of matcha used on those were not of the best quality. So what's the criteria of a good quality matcha?

• Origin

Matcha may trace its roots from China but remember where its popularity skyrocketed, Japan. The cities of Uji in Kyoto and Nishio in Aichi produce the best matcha in the world. Taiwan also joined the matcha production but nothing beats the Japan-made matcha for sure.

• Taste

Low quality matcha has a hint of bitter taste while high quality matcha has a richer and sweeter taste. Through this, I am now convinced that most of the matcha goods I've tasted are of less quality because most of them have a little bitter taste.

• Color

One can easily tell the quality of a matcha just by its shade of green. A matcha of good quality has a bright green color while the lesser quality varies from yellowish, dark green to even brownish in color. So far, I haven't seen a matcha in yellowish or brownish color.

• Texture

A top quality matcha has a very fine texture similar to a talc. The lower quality is less fine because of bigger particle size.

• Price

Well, I know there are also things that are cheap and of good quality. But like most things, quality means expensive. Although, you shouldn't just base a good matcha from its price. If it meets all the four criteria above, then the matcha you have is surely a good one.

Health Benefits of Matcha

“Matcha is the ultimate mental and medical remedy and has the ability to make one’s life more full and complete”

• Myoan Eisai 1200 AD
  

Matcha, despite its popularity among the youth because it makes them cool and on trend, is more than the attention everyone is giving to it. Well, honestly, taking in matcha to your diet makes you cool too in some way. Why? Because of its positive effects to your body.

• Filled With Anti-oxidant

Matcha is known as an anti-oxidant powerhouse. They say, a cup of matcha has an anti-oxidant equivalent to ten cups of brewed green tea. It is packed with a catechin called EGCg(Epigallocatechin gallate), a type of anti-oxidant.

• Calms, Boosts Energy, Memory and Concentration

Matcha contains theanine, a type of amino acid, which relaxes the mind. Theanine also increases the production of serotonin and dopamine which improves our mood, memory and concentration. The very reason why monks choose this green tea. Aside from its good effects for our mind, it also boosts our energy due to the nutrients it contain. No wonder why Japanese noble warriors called "Samurai" would drink this tea before heading to battle. (Drinking matcha won't make you a Samurai though, sorry.)

• Detoxifies

Green tea plants are shaded, which means more chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps to detoxify and flush toxins in our body. It also balances the alkalinity of our blood and tissues.

• Strengthens Immune System

The EGCg, theanine, polyphenols and other vitamins it holds definitely helps in protecting our body against antigens.

• Lowers Cholesterol

Again, the EGCg it contains also helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Matcha reduces bad cholesterol and increases the good cholesterol.

• Weight Loss

Now, surely I got everyone's attention here. Still with EGCg, it is found that it also helps the body burn fat. Drinking matcha increases our metabolism which contributes to burning calories.

A Querlo About Matcha

As a part for the "My Querlo, My Blog" contest, I made a Querlo about matcha. It was fun and easy to make. And I thought it would be cool to have a Querlo survey about matcha. I've been wanting to write about matcha for so long and I believe this is the perfect time for it.

Matcha Foods I've Tasted

Matcha was first used as a drink. Hot water is added to the green tea powder and mixed with a bamboo whisk or "chasen" until blended well and a thin foam forms on top of the tea. This is the usual way of consuming matcha, but then we know that the world keeps evolving. Through the help of creative people, matcha has now been adding magic to various foods. Below are some different delicious ways to enjoy matcha.

The matcha flavored foods above are surely enticing. No doubt it became popular in different countries which inlcudes the Philippines. If I would recall, matcha started making noise in our country around early 2015 and became the talk of the town at the end of the said year. Through its popularity, finding a restaurant that serves matcha flavored foods became easier. I, myself, have been consuming matcha whenever I get the chance.

• Iced Matcha Latte (Bunny Baker)

First on my list is the iced matcha latte of Bunny Baker. This is my first encounter with matcha, by the way. This super cute restaurant serves different recipes of matcha and I don't know why I ended up with the iced latte. The drink was good but I can remember it has a slightly bitter taste.

• Matcha Frappe (Gaudencio's Cafe)

The drink was good but I can barely take a hint of the matcha. Sorry, I don't mean to put a bad name to the cafe but all I can taste is milk. Even my friend agrees with me. The cafe's other drinks are good. Maybe they just haven't perfected their matcha frappe yet.

• Green Tea Matcha Milkshake (Kuchu Cafe)

I wonder why this cafe isn't even as popular as other cafes in the province. For me, they serve good food and yes, their matcha milkshake deserves a thumbs up. Again, my friend agrees with me.(Lol) Kuchu Cafe is a little bit difficult to find, my friend and I just happen to pass by a small signage of the cafe and went to try it out of curiosity. Glad we are curious humans. Haha.

• Matcha Ice Cream (New Leaf Japanese Restaurant)

The Matcha Ice Cream of New Leaf Japanese Restaurant made my birthday more special with no doubt. The two small scoops costs a hundred peso(around 2 USD) and it was worth it. It is the matcha ice cream I would always want to eat. It's sweet and only has only very little bitter taste. I pray they never stop serving this ice cream.

• Matcha Pocky and KitKat

Aside from restaurants and cafes, I have also tried the matcha flavored Pocky and KitKat. Both are products of Japan so you might have already guessed my verdict to these foods. They're seriously addictive. I highly recommend everyone to get a bite of these foods.

• Matcha Oreo McFlurry (McDonald's) and Green Tea Ice Cream (Nestle)

Since a lot of Filipinos are into matcha, McDonald's jumped into the bandwagon and introduced a Matcha Oreo McFlurry for a limited time. I would say, it's okay considering its price. Another product who joined the matcha craze is Nestle ice cream, although the piece of KitKat included is chocolate flavor and not matcha. A lot of people had given a good feedback on the green tea ice cream of Nestle but to give everyone here an honest opinion, I didn't like how it tastes. For me, the taste of it reminds me of the medicine syrup my mom used to give me when I have flu.

I Very Matcha Like It!

Just like what I've said, matcha is more than the trend and bandwagon. We should love this tea not because it is popular but for its taste and excellent effects to our body. This is one of the many reasons why I like Japan next to Philippines. From entertainment, nature, language, culture and cuisine; you'll surely love them all.

Meanwhile, I found a cheap matcha at a local grocery store. I add it sometimes to milk and mashed avocado. It tastes good! In fact, I am planning to make a matcha flavored cream puff or churros on the following days. Please look forward to it!

Thanks for reading!