6 simple tricks to recognize the best quality matcha tea

Matcha tea is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. There are also many fans in Belgium.

Well-known Flemish people such as Sandra Bekkari see the benefits of it. In fact, she has been drinking it for over 15 years!

We are all now learning for ourselves the numerous health benefits of the green stuff.

In the past, matcha was only used in traditional tea ceremonies. Today, matcha is also used by international brands. For example, Häagen-Dazs launched matcha ice cream.

Because matcha is so popular, the supply of matcha is also increasing. This does not mean that every matcha is of the same high quality. And that quality of matcha is nevertheless very important for an ultimate experience!

That is why today I will tell you about the different qualities and how to recognize a good matcha.

Different qualities

The production of matcha is very labour-intensive. Only a small number of Japanese farmers can produce the best quality matcha . The leaves are picked there by hand.

Precisely because producing matcha is so labour-intensive, matcha is also more expensive than regular tea.

Because the green powder became more and more popular, the tea farmers could of course not meet that high demand. Some tea farmers therefore decided to harvest everything mechanically.

As a result, the price went down and the focus was on volume instead of quality. Because everything is done by machine, leaves of lower quality are also used. This leads to a large supply of lower quality matcha .

These matcha farmers harvest several times a year. With traditional matcha, this is actually only once a year, so that the bush can rest.

Because it is harvested several times, these leaves get a bitter taste. As a result, this matcha is of lower quality.

Similar products

Matcha is therefore available in both high and low quality. Because matcha has become so popular, certain companies are also marketing similar products.

These are products that are actually not matcha at all. But as a consumer you hardly see the difference. These products are often given the Japanese term 'moga' [モカ]. It is also made from leaves, but does not come from the matcha plant.

Identify the best quality

So it is now clear that there are different qualities. But how do you recognize the best quality? The best matcha tea has a number of properties:

1. Good matcha comes from Japan. There is only one elite of Japanese farmers capable of producing good matcha. If the matcha comes from other parts of the world, then it is not actually matcha. Then it's really just green tea powder.

2. The taste of good matcha is not bitter. As mentioned earlier, bitterness is caused by harvesting several times in a row. Matcha that tastes bitter is therefore usually of lower quality. A good matcha is soft, creamy and subtle in taste.

3. The price is negotiable. Usually, a good matcha is slightly more expensive, because the production process is very labour-intensive. You pay an average of 25 to 35 euros for a good matcha. Is the price of your matcha much lower? Then be sure to check out the other features listed here.

4. Choose matcha without additives. Sugar or other substances such as coloring agents are often added to cheap matcha. Matcha in its purest form is obviously much healthier .

5. Good matcha has a bright green color. 3 to 4 weeks before picking, the leaves are covered with a large black cloth. As a result, the shrubs produce more chlorophyll, which ensures the beautiful, fresh color . If the matcha has a brown or yellow color, this powder is of poor quality.

6. Take some powder in your hand. A good quality matcha is fine and soft . If you have a matcha of lesser quality, you will notice that it contains more grains. This powder is much coarser.

Difference between culinary matcha and matcha for drinking

Nowadays, matcha is not only used for drinking.

We often see the powder in many dishes, in smoothies, yogurt, ice cream or even chocolate.

A distinction is therefore also made between the use of matcha for cooking or drinking.

Do you want to use matcha for drinking? Then use the highest quality matcha, such as Joy or Matcha . This one has a soft and creamy taste. Low quality matcha is too bitter to drink. That is why you choose the best quality for the ultimate experience.

Looking for matcha for dishes? Matcha that is somewhat coarser and has a bitter taste is suitable for cooking. With this you can get started in the kitchen!

Need inspiration?

You now know everything about the different qualities of matcha. But this miracle powder is extremely versatile.

Wondering what you can prepare with matcha ? Then I have good news for you. There are more than 100 recipes with matcha on our blog. Choice enough I think!

This green powder has numerous health benefits . On the blog I already wrote about 5 unprecedented benefits of matcha . Or are you curious why matcha helps so well with weight loss ? You can read that here. Enjoy reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualities of matcha are there?

There are 3 different qualities of matcha for sale.

1. Cooking grade is the cheapest and is used in dishes and pastries. This one has a bitter taste.
2. Premium grade is good for a smoothie or matcha latte.
3. Ceremonial grade is perfect for drinking neat. Even if you like a velvety taste, this matcha is for you.

Where does matcha come from?

Matcha comes from a select group of elite farmers in Japan. Matcha from other countries is not grown according to traditional methods and is of lower quality.

Is matcha tea healthy?

Matcha contains up to 20 times more antioxidants than the already very healthy blueberries. These antioxidants protect your body against viruses and aging. In addition, it gives your metabolism a boost so that you lose fat faster.