When I was new to tea, I had heard of matcha but I didn’t really know much about it other than how expensive it is. I had also read about how amazing it is for boosting metabolism and some pretty outstanding health benefits. For some people, it also seemed like a great alternative to coffee. Even with all of the hype, I wasn’t sure that matcha is really all it’s cracked up to be. If you, like me, are asking yourself what makes matcha worth the price, read on.
Matcha is expensive because the tea leaves are shaded, hand picked, and carefully ground into a powder. Growing and processing matcha is a tedious process that requires skill and patience. Matcha also offers nearly unmatched health benefits. Here are 10 health reasons why matcha is worth the cost:
- Increased Metabolism
- Good for digestive health
- Lowers risk of Diabetes
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Improves skin
- Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Cancer-Fighting Properties
- Caffeine Boost Without The Crash
You can see that the price is worth the health benefits, but before I cover the benefits, let me explain why it is so expensive in the first place.
You might also be interested in my article “Is Green Tea Matcha Tea? 8 Differences that Matter” for some additional information and comparisons.
“Even with the expense, it’s worth experimenting with ways you can add matcha to your tea world.”
TEA CROSSING
Why Is Match So Expensive?
High quality matcha is expensive, because it is incredibly labor intensive to produce. Just 30g takes about 3 hours to make. The 6 step process seems simple, but it is incredibly time consuming, as it is, traditionally, all done by hand.
Here is the 6-step process, and I’ll cover each stage with a little more depth.
- Shading The Tea
- Hand Pick Tea Leaves
- Steam
- Dry
- Separate and Devein
- Stone Grind
Shading Before Harvest
Matcha is made from a bush called tencha. About 3 weeks before harvest, farmers put up shade structure over the plants to reduce the light as much as possible. This forces the plants to increase chlorophyll. They naturally prefer direct sunlight, so it also makes them grow taller and thinner as they try to reach for the sunlight.
Harvesting
Traditionally tencha is harvested by hand as it provides the best quality control. Harvesters are able to pick only the tender leaves, ideal for matcha, and leave the more mature leaves on the bush for later pruning. By hand picking, you insure only the sweetest flavors make it into the final product. More mature leaves have a bitter taste.
Commercialisation has increased the need to stream line harvesting, and many farms now use harvesting equipment that reduces the quality control during harvesting. In turn, it helps reduce manufacturing cost, making it more affordable for the consumer.
Steaming the Leaves
Once the leaves are picked, they are steamed to prevent oxidation of the leaves and preserve the vibrant green color. The steaming process takes about 20 seconds per batch, then it is on to the drying process.
Drying The Leaves
The leaves are spread out in a single layer and passed through an oven on a conveyor belt multiple times in order to dry them. This process takes about 30 minutes.
Separating and Deveining
Once their leaves are dry, they then cut up and sift the stems and veins from the leaves, preparing them for the grinding process. The grinding is not done by the farmer. As each brand has their own way of blending and grinding unique to their particular brand.
Stone Grinding
Once the tea company has their leaves, they stone grind it according to their methods. Each blend has a unique flavor produced by varying recipes that is indicative of each brand.
This is one reason the farmer doesn’t grind the tencha before selling. The other is that it stays fresh longer if it is stored in raw leaf form. Grinding increases oxidation rate, making the product lose freshness faster.
10 Health Benefits that Make Matcha Worth the Price
Despite the expense, matcha is worth the price. The health benefits don’t lie. While the experts are still doing their research, studies continue to show there are definite health benefits to drinking green tea on a regular basis.
Here are just a few reasons that matcha is worth the price, and I’ll cover each of them in more detail below:
- Increased Metabolism
- Good for digestive health
- Lowers risk of Diabetes
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Improves skin
- Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Cancer-Fighting Properties
- Caffeine Boost Without The Crash
Benefit #1: Metabolism Boost
The EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) in matcha is believed to work as a fat blocker. Studies show drinking matcha before exercising can actually boost fat burning. Some experts suggest it may boost it by as much as 35-40%.
As matcha is relatively new to the western market, there are still many studies being done on the health benefits. This makes it hard to say for sure how much of an effect it has, but all the experts seem to agree it does have some metabolism boosting properties, and is effective when combined with exercising.
Benefit #2: Digestive Health Benefits
Since you are drinking the whole tea leaf, instead of just steeping the leaves, you are getting the full benefits of the tea leaves. Including the benefits to your digestive health. The polyphenols antioxidant, helps with acidic reflux.
It also stimulates the digestive system, reducing bloating and gas build up. It does this by promoting healthy gut bacteria, which also jumpstarts your metabolism.
Benefit #3: Decreased Risk Of Diabetes
Not only does matcha lower blood pressure, but it also reduces your risk of diabetes by helping with insulin production. While the matcha boosted your metabolism, and started working on burning off the fat, it is also helping your body take in insulin, reducing your chances of becoming insulin resistant.
Benefit #4: Lowers Blood Pressure
Studies have shown drinking 5 to 6 cups of regular green tea a day can actually lower your static blood pressure. Imagine what a cup of matcha a day could do? It does this by relaxing your blood vessels, reducing inflammation; increasing blood flow.
Benefit #5: Improves Skin
The EGCG in matcha also fights against cellular damage, preventing collagen break down; keeping your skin supple. It has even been known to stimulate collagen production. Its anti Inflammatory properties also help with rosacea, and acne. You can also find matcha facial cleansers, and masks.
Benefit #6: Lowers Risk for Heart Disease
Studies have suggested EGCG also helps break up and dissolve plaque build up in your blood vessels, and arteries. Reducing your risk for heart attack and stroke. Here is a study from the UK which talks about its potential for developing medication to treat those who suffer from either medical condition.
Benefit #7: Lowers the Bad LDL Cholesterol
By breaking down the plaque in your blood vessels, it also lowers your bad cholesterol. Preventing it from hardening your arteries. Cholesterol is a silent killer that doesn’t discriminate, and it has no symptoms. Most folks don’t even know they have high cholesterol until it causes a blood clot, or heart attack. This makes matcha a great preventative care option.
Benefit #8: Offers Anti-Inflammatory Properties
It is amazing how much an anti-inflammatory can affect your body. Many people don’t consider the possibility of having inflammation without pain. By reducing inflammation in your body, you are promoting blood flow, and circulation, which creates a domino effect and allows your body to function more efficiently, which makes you feel more energized and healthy.
Benefit #9: Offers Cancer Fighting Properties
While evidence on this is still inconclusive, some studies suggest the EGCG in green tea may inhibit cellular growth of tumors, causing their death. However, studies are still being done as to how much effect it really has as a treatment, so far evidence can only see a small reduction in trials, and some medications can counteract the benefits of the antioxidant.
Benefit #10: No Caffeine Crash
Matcha became popular as a healthy alternative to coffee. Matcha has less caffeine than coffee but it makes up for it in energizing antioxidants, which helps to cleanse and stimulate your body’s systems. There is also no caffeine crash like you get from coffee, because of the wonderful amino acid L-theanine.
One Caution: Matcha Tea and Lead Content
It is worth noting there is always a small risk of lead consumption when drinking green tea. It is absorbed from the environment where the plant is grown. This is especially true of tea that comes from China.
When you steep tea, 90% of any lead leached from the ground stays in the leaf. When drinking matcha you are consuming the whole leaf, and all of the lead it may contain.
Because of this, it is recommended you only drink one cup of matcha per day, and avoid giving it to children.
Look for Quality Matcha: The Downside of Commercialization
As with everything, high demand for the tencha can make finding quality matcha relatively difficult.
Unfortunately, the commercialization of it has also had an effect on product quality, as demand for the product has increased, exponentially, in recent years – increasing the need to speed up production.
Most inexpensive matcha you find in stores is not traditional matcha. While it still has its benefits, you are not necessarily drinking high quality matcha.
If you are looking for quality matcha, here are four brands you can try:
- Matcha Kari
- Ippodo Tea
- Jade Leaf
- Spirit Tea
Matcha Kari
Matcha Kari uses high quality tencha, traditionally harvested in order to provide the highest quality matcha. They offer different grades, each with a unique flavor palette. Shop their products here.
- Ceremonial Grade
- Organic Sipping
- Barista Grade
- Culinary Grade
Ceremonial Grade
Their ceremonial matcha boasts a rich, bold flavor. This blend is perfect for a tea ceremony, and makes you feel energized and ready to start your day.
Organic Sipping
These blends exceed USDA organic guidelines, and have a subtle umami flavor combined with a rich and creamy texture. This is also one of the few organically certified options I found that produced quality matcha.
Barista Grade
Perfect for matcha lattes, these blends are made for cafes, in-home lattes, and are verstal for everyday uses. It is also more cost effective than their other blends, without sacrificing quality.
Culinary Grade
Known for bold, dynamic tannins, with concentrated vitamins and antioxidants. Ideal for baking, desserts, and exotic latte blends with multiple ingredients.
Ippodo Tea
Ippodo is a family owned and operated tea company in Kyoto, Japan. They have been in business for over 300 years and pride themselves in upholding traditional, matcha culture; valuing quality, not quantity.
They have a large selection to choose from, you can view all their products here. Some of their more popular blends are,
- Ummon-No-Mukashi
- Sansho-No-Shiro
- Imamukashi
Ummon-No-Mukashi
This rich blend of matcha is very rich in umami, and is the highest quality matcha they offer. It has a full body with a mellow sweetness, and is recommended to be drunk as a thick tea.
Sansho-No-Shiro
This balanced blend, has a lighter taste with just the right amount of umami to please any palette, with a touch of astringent bite to it. This tea also makes a delicious thicker tea.
Imamukashi
This light blend is a tea with just the right amount of astringency and has a refreshing balanced taste. This blend is recommended for daily drinking.
Jade Leaf
Jade Leaf is produced by the Kizuna te collective, which is a network of family run tea farmers across Japan. These farmers have been growing and cultivating quality tencha since 1858. In 2014 the collective opened their first US post.
They have 4 unique ceremonial blends:
- Henta
- Hermia
- Ortia
- Mortia-San’s Blend
Henta
This blend is grown especially for tea competitions, priding themselves in their exceptional soil. Which brings out the best flavor in their teas.
Hermia
Grown by sixth generation farmers in the famed Uji region of Japan. The most famous region, known for being the first to cover their plants.
Ortia
This blend combines traditional technology, with modern science. It embodies the lushness of the Charin region where it is grown.
Mortia-San’s Blend
This blend is as refined as it is subtle, and is vibrantly colored. It also has a slight sweetness to it, giving it wonderfly rounder flavor that can be enjoyed on any occasion.
Spirit Tea
Spirit tea is an American tea company, who gets their tenga from traditional farmers in Japan. They prideThe conglomeration is made up of veterans with decades worth of experience in tea, coffee, hospitality, and herbalism. They offer 2 blends:
Shogyoku Ceremonial
This blend is said to have notes of strawberry daifuku, and buttercream frosting. (Daifuku is a type of sweet dumpling.)
Kodemari House Blend
This house blend has notes of cherry blossom, sesame, and toasted rice. This signature blend is ground to order.
“Try adding a teaspoon of matcha to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or even granola.”
TEA CROSSING
How to Prepare a Cup of Matcha
When you are preparing an expensive treat, it is vital to do it correctly to enjoy it to the fullest.
The traditional way of preparing a bowl of matcha is a 3 step process:
- Sift Match
- Add Hot Water
- Whisk with Bamboo Whisk
Step #1: Sift Matcha
Using a small wire sifter, sift 2 grams of Matcha powder into a bowl.
Step #2: Add Hot Water
Boil water, and let it cool in a cup, to 176 degrees. Once cooled add a small amount to your matcha, I would start with about 2 tablespoons worth. If the water is too hot, it gives the tea a bitter flavor.
Step #3: Whisk
Traditionally you would use a small bamboo whisk for this part, but if you don’t have on any wisk will do. You want to whisk the mixture vigorously for 15 second in a “m” pattern, until frothy.
Once frothy, just pour more water in for desired thickness, and you have yourself a nice cup of matcha.
Getting The Most For Your Money
Since quality matcha is so darn expensive there are some things you can do to help make it last.
Here are 3 tips to consider:
- Pay attention to portion size
- Shop around
- Limit yourself
Portion Size
You only need one teaspoon of matcha per 8 oz of water. Paying attention to portion, makes your supply last longer.
Shop Around
Just because a quality matcha is pricey, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look around for a great deal. Comparing price with quantity is important when trying to keep costs low. When in doubt, buy in bulk. A lot of places will give you a better rate if you buy large quantities.
Limit Yourself
As I mentioned above, you really only need to drink one cup a day, so resist that temptation to drink more. This goes along with limiting portions too. I know it can be hard to moderate your intake, especially when it tastes so good and the energy boost makes you feel so amazing, but one cup a day is sufficient.
Additional Ways to Enjoy Matcha
There are many other ways to incorporate matcha into your diet in addition to enjoying a nice cuppa; or bowl in this case.
As an alternative to drinking tea, try adding a teaspoon of matcha to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or even granola. You can add it to anything you think would taste good to you.
The possibilities are endless. Even with the expense, it’s worth experimenting with ways you can add matcha to your tea world. Tap into your creativity (and bank account) to incorporate this stunning tea.