We have been so excited about releasing our new blends and now that Christmas and New Year have been and gone and thoughts turn to clearing our heads rather than feeding our bellies we thought it was an ideal time to introduce our new Matcha range.
So, for those that have missed the matcha-mania that has taken place both on and offline, what exactly is Matcha? Well, put simply, it is a powdered green tea that is rich in antioxidants and is full of amazing health benefits.
Our Matcha's are all organic and Ceremonial grade, from Shizuoka in Japan. Ceremonial Matcha comes from leaves picked from the top of the tea bush which are both young and fresh. Several weeks prior to harvest in the Spring, farmers cover the tea plants with bamboo mats or tarp, gradually reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the plants. This step increases the chlorophyll content and turns the leaves dark green, giving Matcha its distinct green colour.
After harvesting, the leaves are steamed and then air dried before being sorted for grade, and then destemmed and deveined. At this stage, the leaves become Tencha, the precursor to Matcha. The Tencha is then ground and becomes Matcha.
A sign of quality in Matcha is how bright and vibrantly green the powder (and subsequent liquor) is. Ceremonial grade Matcha is one of the best powders money can buy and the difference to standard grade is obvious when the two are compared side by side. Lower grade Matcha is not only a duller shade of green but can also sometimes appear to have a slight brown/yellow hue to it.
Taste is obviously the most important aspect of any tea though. Higher quality Matcha is smoother, sweeter, easy drinking and has less bitter/marine notes than the lower grade counterparts. The smell of a high-grade Matcha is sweeter too.
In terms of its health benefits, Matcha is known to boost metabolism yet calm the mind and relax the body. It enhances mood and aids in concentration. It is filled with antioxidants which means it has shown to help in fighting diseases such as cancer. It lowers cholesterol and blood sugar and detoxifies the body naturally.
These are just some of the health benefits of this power-packed wonder tea.
Because we love Matcha so much, as well as introducing Ceremonial Matcha to our range, we have also developed two exclusive Matcha blends.
Our Matcha Chai is a fabulous mix of health-promoting spices to complement and enhance the benefits reaped from the Matcha alone. With turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, fennel and black peppercorns, this is delicious on its own and wonderful in a latte.
Our Matcha Cleanse and Swing is great for boosting energy and cleansing the body with the addition of Siberian Ginseng, Yerba Mate, Spirulina, Maca and Wheatgrass. Put this in your morning smoothie and you will feel vibrant, glowing and ready to face the world.
Why not try one of our ceremonial grade Matcha's today?
