Daily Matcha

Wholesale/Bulk Organic Matcha Options

You can now purchase Organic Matcha in wholesale and bulk quantities from Shanti Tea Importers, making it an ideal option for tea retailers and brands in the United States and Canada. This matcha, celebrated for its vibrant colour, smooth texture, and rich umami flavour, offers a premium experience that tea enthusiasts cherish. Additionally, it's available for private and white-label customization, allowing you to tailor the packaging and branding to suit your specific needs. By partnering with Shanti Tea Importers, you can offer your customers a high-quality, enjoyable matcha while enhancing your brand's product offerings.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that originates from Japan. Unlike traditional green tea, where leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha is made from whole tea leaves ground into a fine powder. This means that when you drink matcha, you consume the entire leaf, which provides a more concentrated source of nutrients and antioxidants.

Critical Characteristics of Matcha:

1. Production Process:
   • Shading: The tea plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest, which increases the chlorophyll content and gives the leaves a vibrant green colour.
   • Harvesting: Only the youngest, most tender leaves are picked.
   • Steaming: The leaves are steamed to stop fermentation, preserving their colour and nutrients.
   • Drying and Grinding: The leaves are dried and ground into a fine powder using stone mills.
2. Nutritional Benefits:
   • Antioxidants: Matcha is rich in catechins, an antioxidant believed to have cancer-fighting properties.
   • L-Theanine: This amino acid promotes relaxation and reduces stress without causing drowsiness.
   • Caffeine: Matcha contains more caffeine than regular green tea, providing a sustained energy boost without the jittery side effects often associated with coffee.
3. Flavor Profile:
   • Umami: Matcha has a unique umami taste, which is savoury and slightly sweet.
   • Grassy and Earthy Notes: It also has a fresh, grassy flavour with hints of sweetness and a slightly bitter undertone.
4. Preparation and Uses:
   • Traditional Tea Ceremony: In Japanese culture, matcha is prepared during a traditional tea ceremony. This ceremony involves whisking the powder with hot water using a bamboo whisk (chasen) until it becomes frothy.
   • Culinary Uses: Matcha is a flavour in various foods and beverages, including lattes, smoothies, ice cream, and baked goods.

By understanding matcha's unique qualities and cultural significance, you can appreciate why it has become a beloved beverage worldwide.

Types of Matcha

Matcha can be categorized into several types based on its quality, intended use, and production process. Here are the main types:

• Ceremonial Grade Matcha
  • Quality: The highest quality matcha is made from the youngest and finest tea leaves.
  • Flavor Profile: Smooth, delicate, and rich with a natural sweetness and minimal bitterness.
  • Colour: Bright, vibrant green.
  • Uses: Traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies and for drinking straight with hot water.
• Premium Grade Matcha
  • Quality: High-quality matcha, slightly lower than ceremonial grade.
  • Flavour Profile: Balanced flavour with a good blend of sweetness and umami, somewhat more bitter than ceremonial grade.
  • Color: Vibrant green.
  • Uses: Suitable for daily consumption, such as tea and beverages like lattes.
• Culinary Grade Matcha
  • Quality: Suitable for cooking and baking, made from slightly older tea leaves.
  • Flavour Profile: More robust and bitter compared to ceremonial and premium grades.
  • Colour: Less vibrant green, sometimes with a yellowish tint.
  • Uses: Ideal for use in recipes, such as smoothies, baked goods, desserts, and savoury dishes.
• Ingredient Grade Matcha
  • Quality: Typically lower quality, used primarily as an ingredient.
  • Flavour Profile: Stronger, more astringent, and bitter flavour.
  • Colour: Duller green.
  • Uses: Best for adding colour and flavour to foods, beverages, and commercial products.
• Latte Grade Matcha
• • Quality: Specifically blended for making matcha lattes.
  • Flavour Profile: Balanced to complement milk and sweeteners, slightly less bitter than culinary grade.
  • Color: Vibrant green.
  • Uses: Perfect for matcha lattes, smoothies, and other mixed beverages.
• Blended Matcha
  • Quality: A mixture of different grades of matcha, often combining ceremonial and culinary grades.
  • Flavour Profile: Varies depending on the blend, aiming to balance quality and cost.
  • Colour: Varies based on blend components.
  • Uses: Can be used for both drinking and cooking, providing versatility.

Specialty Matcha Varieties

• Organic Matcha
• • Production: Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
  • Certification: Typically certified by organic standards organizations.
  • Uses: Can come in various grades and is suitable for ceremonial and culinary uses.
• Single Origin Matcha
• • Production: Sourced from a single farm or region, highlighting the unique characteristics of that specific terroir.
  • Uses: Often available in higher grades for those who appreciate distinct flavour profiles.

By understanding the different types of matcha, you can choose the one that best suits your needs, whether for ceremonial purposes, daily drinking, or culinary creations.

Most Popular FAQs for Matcha

How is matcha different from regular green tea?

Unlike regular green tea, where leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha involves consuming the entire leaf in powdered form, offering more concentrated nutrients and antioxidants.

What are the different grades of matcha?

Matcha is typically categorized into ceremonial, premium, culinary, ingredient, latte, and blended grades, each suited for different purposes, from tea ceremonies to cooking.

Can I use matcha in cooking and baking?

Yes, culinary-grade matcha is specifically designed for cooking and baking. It adds vibrant green colour and unique flavour to recipes like smoothies, lattes, desserts, and savoury dishes.

How should I store matcha?

Matcha should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, preferably in the refrigerator, to preserve its colour, flavour, and nutritional value. Keep it away from light, heat, and moisture.

Is matcha caffeinated?

Yes, matcha contains caffeine. However, it also has L-theanine, which helps provide a calm, sustained energy boost without the jitters commonly associated with coffee.

Can matcha help with weight loss?

Matcha may aid in weight loss due to its high antioxidant content and ability to boost metabolism. However, it should be part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

What does matcha taste like?

Matcha has a unique flavour profile characterized by a rich umami taste, natural sweetness, and a slight bitterness. The taste can vary depending on the grade and quality of the matcha.

Is matcha gluten-free and vegan?

Yes, matcha is naturally gluten-free and vegan, making it suitable for people with dietary restrictions.

Where can I buy high-quality matcha?

High-quality matcha can be purchased from reputable tea retailers, specialty stores, and online shops - like Shanti Tea . If desired, look for products that specify the grade, origin, and organic certification.

How do I know if my matcha is good quality?

High-quality matcha should be bright, vibrant green, have a fine, smooth texture, and have a rich, umami flavour with minimal bitterness. Lower-quality matcha may appear dull and taste more astringent.

Can I drink matcha every day?

Yes, matcha can be consumed daily in moderate amounts. It provides numerous health benefits, but it is important to balance it with other aspects of a healthy diet and lifestyle.