How to Make Matcha (Japanese Green Tea)

How to make matcha! This method shows how to brew a cup of delicious Japanese green tea to enjoy at home.

Are you a tea lover? Then there’s like a steaming mug Matcha, also known as Japanese green tea! This Japanese drink has spread all over the world: and with good reason. It’s packed with antioxidants and a healthy boost for that morning caffeine. It can be made into a Matcha Latte or an Iced Matcha Latte, but what’s your favorite way to drink it? Straight into a cup. The purity of the bitter and herbaceous flavors is incomparable. How to make matcha at home! (This recipe is for home use and has nothing to do with the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.)

What is Matcha or Japanese Green Tea?

Matcha, also known as Japanese green tea, is a fine powder made from ground green tea leaves that originated in East Asia. It is consumed in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and is an integral part of Japanese culture. There is a complex set of ceremonial niceties in the tea ceremony (read more here). The following method explains how to prepare a cup of matcha to enjoy at home.

Matcha has a grassy, ​​earthy flavor. It can be consumed as a cup of tea or as a latte such as Matcha Latte or Iced Matcha Latte. It’s also a popular flavor for ice cream, cakes, cookies and more. Matcha contains caffeine: more than typical green tea, but less than coffee.

Matcha categories

An important note about matcha: there are three different qualities! These varieties differ significantly in quality and taste:

• Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality and suitable for tea ceremonies; it has the lightest green color and the sweetest taste (buy it!)
• Latte quality matcha is a little less light green and has a more bitter taste (buy it!)
• Culinary quality matcha has a greenish-brown color and is quite bitter

For a cup of matcha, use ceremonial or latte grade (we used ceremonial). The difference in color and taste is very perceptible! The ceremonial variety produces the lightest color and tastes much better than the other varieties.

Equipment for making matcha

Before you brew a cup of matcha, you need a few supplies! Here’s what you need to have on hand:

• Beak Matcha Bowl: The special bowl makes it easier to hit: It’s just the right size for hitting. Try this bowl of fizz (and bonus: it doubles as a salad dressing jug!). You can also buy a large matcha bowl called a chawan.
• Matcha Whisk (Chasen): This Bamboo Matcha Whisk is the perfect size and shape for beating matcha into a frothy foam.

Some people strain their matcha before preparing the tea. But with the method of making a paste with some water first, you can bypass the sifting. Continue reading!

How to make matcha

Got your tea and the right tools? So let’s make green tea! How to make matcha at home:

1. Make a paste: In a glass sippy cup or measuring cup, add ¾ teaspoon of matcha. Add a dash of 2 ounces of cold water and beat to make a paste.
2. Beat until foamy: Add the remaining cold water and whisk vigorously back and forth until a thick layer of foam forms, about 20 to 30 seconds. (For the best foam, avoid whipping in circles.)
3. Add hot water: Heat 6 ounces of water to 175 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix it with 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup (optional).
4. Combine: Pour the frothy matcha into the cup, then stir gently and adjust the sweetness to taste.

Don’t want to jump for the special whisk and bowl? We recommend them for the best experience. But if you want to do it locally and don’t have these tools, here’s how:

• Shake in a glass: Shake green tea powder and cold water in a glass until foamy.
• Carry out the remaining recipe steps as described.

More matcha drinks

Matcha caught on in the United States, largely due to its use by Starbucks in lattes. But there are many other ways to use it: in drinks, cookies, cakes, ice cream and more! Here are a few other green tea drinks we love:

This Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.