Things To Consider When You Buy Matcha Green Tea
Matcha has turned into a tea product loved by many people around the world. You'll see it being used in beverages, bread, cakes, candies, desserts, and other pastries. Aside from having a unique and flavorful taste, matcha also provides a lot of health benefits.
Matcha green tea is traditionally made using a bamboo whisk.
Considered a powerhouse of antioxidants, matcha is proven to boost a person's metabolism and naturally detoxify the body. It is also linked to better cardiovascular health and helps in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. These are just a few of the medicinal benefits that matcha green tea offers.
These factors are the primary reasons why the matcha trend shows no signs of ending anytime soon. In fact, the increasing demand has led to an upsurge in the supply and production of matcha today. As a result, the wide selection of matcha powder on the market has made it a little difficult to pick the best ones.
Fortunately, before purchasing matcha, you can check to see if it is a good-quality powder. If you have difficulties finding the best and high-quality matcha green tea, check these things first:
Bright Green Color
To make sure that you're buying high-quality matcha, you must check the color. Matcha has a vibrant green color, which indicates it has been harvested at the right time of the year. Buy matcha that has a brighter and greener appearance because it contains more of the chlorophyll that makes it so healthy.
If the powder looks dull and has hints of yellow and brown, it means that the matcha used is not fresh and has been mixed with other ingredients. These are also not as delicious as deep green matcha.
Silky Consistency
A matcha product's appearance is also one of the things you should consider when buying matcha green tea. Its consistency should look like a very fine powder with a smooth, velvety texture.
To achieve the ideal consistency of matcha, green tea leaves should be ground using traditional milling processes. Most use stone grinding, instead of electric mills, to avoid excessive heat that can ruin its texture and give a burnt and metallic taste.
These days, matcha green tea is also popular in "westernized" drinks.
Taste and Scent
Matcha has a distinct aroma that you can use to check if the product is high-grade. It should smell fragrant and fresh, just like newly shredded leaves. As it contains L-theanine, you should be able to detect a sweet and grassy scent if it's fine matcha powder.
Source of Tea Leaves
If a matcha product doesn't have its origin or source printed on its container, it is most likely a low-quality one.
Matcha is primarily grown and manufactured in Japan. Teas, like matcha, are treasured in Japan and have been a massive part of their culture for centuries. It is also used in special ceremonies and rituals in the country. Matcha green tea traditionally made and sourced in Japan are the best powders you'll find.
Most companies are transparent about the source of their ingredients. You can also check if the product is from Japan by looking for stamps of approval from the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) on their packaging. You can also visit the company's website to do some fact-checking.
Price Tag
As mentioned, there are various grades of matcha, and the process needed to create high-quality tea is a slow and meticulous one. This results in high prices, with a gram of great matcha costing more than a dollar. If a tea seller is offering you low prices for this tea, there's a big chance that it is made from old and over-processed leaves.
Best Ingredients
It would be best to check the ingredients of the matcha green tea you are buying. This is an easy way to tell if companies have mixed it with other substances that can make the price of their product lower than their competitors'.You should purchase a pure matcha powder without any added ingredients that can affect the taste, aroma, or texture of the product.
Sealed Packaging
If you're buying matcha in the market, the first thing you can check is its packaging. Most high-quality matcha powders are sold in tin cans to ensure that the product doesn't get exposed to air and moisture. If packed in a bag or foil, matcha can oxidize and turn into a not so tasty powder.
Conclusion
These are the things you should consider before buying and consuming matcha green tea powder. If you're looking into buying from a specific brand, it will also help to read product reviews posted online. If you've had the taste of great matcha, these are the things you can do to make sure that you're making the same good cup of tea at home.
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