How to Make Homemade Matcha
An Artistic Craft Meets a Time-Honored Tradition
Making your own homemade matcha is like stepping into an ancient Japanese ritual. This experience goes far beyond simply brewing a cup of tea - it's an immersive dive into a craft that has been refined over centuries. As a green tea expert with over 20 years of hands-on experience in tea cultivation and preparation, I can assure you that diving into the journey of making matcha at home can be enriching, educational, and rewarding.
The Essence of Quality Matcha: What Sets It Apart?
Before you venture into the world of homemade matcha, let's first understand the hallmarks of high-quality matcha. You're aiming for a blend that boasts a vibrant green color, a creamy and smooth texture, and a unique umami flavor that dances on your palate. Achieving this involves a series of intricate steps - each one an art form in itself.
>>Learn About: The Health Benefits of Matcha
The 11 Traditional Stages of Matcha Production
- Cover tea fields
- Harvest leaves
- Steam leaves
- Cool leaves
- Dry leaves
- Sort leaves
- Dry while kneading
- Cut and sort
- Dry again
- Grind leaves
- Pack as final products
For the purposes of this guide, we'll distill the process down to 7 essential steps that will take you from raw leaf to a soul-soothing cup of homemade matcha.
Preparing for Your Matcha Adventure: What You'll Need
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Tools and Ingredients:
- Camellia Sinensis plant or freshly picked leaves
- A steamer
- Paper towels
- A cookie sheet
- Oven (preheat to 175°F)
- A mortar or coffee bean grinder
- A fine-mesh sifter
- Measuring spoons
- Teacups
- Hot water (145°F)
Step 1: Harvest Leaf
Quality Comes First
For superior matcha, focus on the young, tender leaves at the top of the Camellia Sinensis plant. These should include two leaves and a bud. I find that using a mix of tender buds and larger mature leaves delivers a nuanced flavor profile.
Step 2: Steam Leaf
Why Steaming Matters
Steaming for 1-2 minutes retains the vibrant green color of the leaves and enhances their antioxidant properties. This is a technique that was revolutionized in the 18th century by a Kyoto tea merchant, Soen Nagatani, and remains fundamental to the uniqueness of Japanese green tea like Gyokuro and matcha.
Step 3: Cool Leaf
The Importance of Patience
Spread the leaves on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels and let them cool for about 10 minutes. Preheat your oven to 175°F during this time.
>> Learn More: Culinary, Everyday, and Ceremonial Grade Matcha Explained
Step 4: Dry Leaf
The Oven Magic
Place the leaves in a preheated oven at 175 °F for 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye to ensure they don't turn brown.
Step 5: Remove Veins and Crush Leaf
Towards Tencha
Here you will gently remove veins and stems before crushing the leaf. At this stage, you'll notice that the crushed leaves look similar to dried herbs. These are known as "Tencha"—the precursor to matcha.
Step 6: Grind Leaf into Powder
The Grind-Down
Though traditional stone mills are the gold standard for achieving fine particles, a coffee grinder or a specialized tea leaf mill can also get the job done. The result won't be as fine as ceremonial-grade matcha, but it will still be quite good.
Step 7: Sift Powder
The Final Refinement
Using a fine-mesh sifter, sift the ground tea to eliminate any larger particles. I've found that even a mortar can be helpful at this stage.
Time to Savor: Tasting Your Homemade Matcha
Brewing the perfect cup involves using hot water at around 145°F. The vibrant green hue of the liquid should bring a smile to your face, and the first sip will confirm all the care and craftsmanship that went into making this tea.
>>Further Reading: How Genuine is Your Matcha?
Personal Insight: Why This Journey Is Worth It
Making matcha at home offers a one-of-a-kind experience of engaging with the essence of this extraordinary tea. And while the process may seem tedious, the joy that comes from that first sip is unparalleled. The beverage you've crafted offers not just flavor but also a wealth of health benefits, perfectly aligning with the values of adaptability, sustainability, and authenticity that we hold dear.
While the adventure of making matcha at home is thrilling, it may be challenging to do this daily. If you're looking for matcha that meets the highest standards of quality and sustainability, look no further than our carefully curated selection at our online store.
Happy Brewing!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to share your homemade matcha experiences. Cheers to the joy of making and enjoying your own matcha!