Learn about Matcha and the Quintessential Japanese Drink

Matcha (抹茶) is pronounced in Japanese as (抹茶/ まっちゃ), is /ˈmætʃə/ in English, and is Mat Tra in Vietnamese. It is a green tea powder ground from green tea leaves. The quality of Matcha depends on two main factors: the growing process including the variety (type) of green tea plants, and especially the covering stage for about three weeks or about 20 days. We must avoid direct sunlight before the tea harvest season and the process of separating the stems and veins from the green tea leaves during the stage from Aracha to Tencha.

Matcha tea is usually produced from the Camellia tea plant, which creates a lot of caffeine and theanine in green tea leaves. Enjoying Matcha tea is also different from green tea leaves or tea bags. Matcha dissolves in liquids such as water or milk at hot or cold temperatures, and we can combine it with sugar and milk.

Matcha tea is always associated with the Japanese tea ceremony. With its characteristic aroma and flavor,  Matcha powder can dye an eye-catching green color for food and drinks such as mochi cakes, soba noodles, green tea ice cream, or the popular drink Matcha Latte, and especially wagashi candies in Japan.

There is no standard industry definition in the Matcha industry for the type of Matcha made into Latte. Usually, they call it Cooking Matcha or Culinary Matcha, and using high-end Matcha for tea ceremonies is often associated with the name Ceremonial Grade or Premium Matcha.

The variety of Matcha is called by a very poetic name Chamei - according to the name of each tea variety that produces Matcha or the manufacturers, factories, and stores name their products such as Summer and Spring Matcha or Cooking Matcha, Culinary, Ceremonial Matcha, Latte grade, Konomi or Butcher block. The price of culinary Matcha specialized in the kitchen, cooking, making smoothies, or baking is about 15-40$ 200g. 

Tea ceremonies and tea-drinking styles in each country always have their own color. Matcha is a guarantee of the cherry blossom country with impressive taste and culture. QuanTea hopes that this article has given you a comparative view between Japanese tea culture and other Eastern countries, including Vietnam and China - thereby finding the similarities as well as differences between each country.

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