Clearspring Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder Ceremonial Grade Tin - 30g

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a finely milled vibrant green tea powder made from the highest quality Japanese tea leaves. Clearspring Organic Ceremonial Matcha comes from Uji, a region high in the hills around Kyoto, renowned for producing the best Japanese teas. Only accessible by foot, this remote area is unpolluted and rich in friendly bugs such as spiders, ladybirds, praying mantis and dragonflies to keep the pests under control (best to use organic matcha as non-organic matcha is grown using excessive amounts of agricultural fertilisers and pesticides). Shade grown for the final few months to allow the leaves to fill with chlorophyll, the finest young tea buds are picked, dried and ground in a granite mortar.

History of Matcha

Matcha is finely ground green tea leaf powder and is the most prized among Japanese teas. It has been drunk as part of the tea ceremony for 900 years as well as by Buddhist monks during long days of meditation.

Different grades of Matcha

Growing conditions, time of harvest and processing techniques have a direct effect on the grade and final flavour of the Matcha:

Ceremonial grade Matcha uses the finest, smallest shade-grown leaves from the very tip of the tea bush - giving it a very vibrant green colour and a slightly sweet, smooth flavour.

Premium grade Matcha is ideal for both drinking and home baking and can add unique flavour and incredible colour to food and drink recipes.

High-grade Organic Uji Matcha products are cultivated under the diligent management of Clearspring's tea master Juro Okuda. The tea bushes are covered with cloths for as long as possible to produce leaves of a deep green colour. It is very difficult to grow organic matcha; one must fight against both bugs and diseases. Harmful insects can appear because of small climate changes threatening the tea crop. For this reason, it is essential to manage the cultivation in a way that places primary importance on the natural ecosystem.

Ceremonial and Premium grades of Matcha are ground in stone mortars for many hours. This creates a unique light smoothness that is perfect for drinking.

Basic grade Matcha is slightly bitter, less expensive and is generally only used for cooking.

Production

High-grade Organic Uji Matcha products are cultivated under the diligent management of Clearspring's tea master Juro Okuda. The tea bushes are covered with cloths for as long as possible to produce leaves of a deep green colour. It is very difficult to grow organic matcha; one must fight against both bugs and diseases. Harmful insects can appear because of small climate changes threatening the tea crop. For this reason, it is essential to manage the cultivation in a way that places primary importance on the natural ecosystem.

Ceremonial and Premium grades of Matcha are ground in stone mortars for many hours. This creates a unique light smoothness that is perfect for drinking.

• Organic
• Vegan & Kosher

Ingredients

Organic Matcha green tea powder (100%)

Allergens in bold

Directions

How to make a cup of Matcha tea

Traditionally Matcha is drunk whisked in hot water as a smooth green tea. Take ¼ teaspoon (1g) of Matcha powder and add hot water from a kettle which has not quite boiled to maximise the health benefits. Thoroughly whisk using a traditional wooden whisk or a hand-held electric milk frother to avoid lumps of powder in the bottom of your cup.

Traditional Tea Ceremony

The traditional Japanese tea ceremony dates back 900 years to feudal times. It can take up to 3 hours and is steeped in history, full of theatre and incredibly calming. If you would like to make Matcha emulating the essence and spirit of the traditional tea ceremony you can do so in less than 3 minutes but you will need a bowl, a bamboo tea scoop and a bamboo matcha whisk.

1. Preheat the bowl thoroughly with hot water, then empty it and dry it carefully with a cloth. Use the bamboo tea scoop to measure 1½ heaped scoops of Matcha powder and place them in the bowl.
2. Pour approximately 50-60ml of hot water into the bowl. Make sure the temperature of the water is approximately 70-80°C, not boiling.
3. Take the bamboo whisk in one hand and hold the rim of the Matcha bowl with the other. Whisk the Matcha briskly in a ‘W’ motion using your wrist (not your arm).
4. When a thick froth with many tiny bubbles has developed on the surface, slowly lift the bamboo whisk from the centre of the bowl.
5. Add more water according to your taste and savour the deliciously smooth flavour of Matcha

Mix & Matcha: Serving suggestions

As well as being delicious and good for you, it is also very versatile. Matcha powder can be added to almost anything! 

Vanilla Matcha Latte

Mix 1g of Matcha powder with a little bit of cold water in a cup then add to hot vanilla soya milk while whisking thoroughly. Alternatively use vanilla rice or almond milk.

Matcha Smoothie

One of the most popular ways of preparing matcha is as an iced smoothie. Just combine the following ingredients in a blender and enjoy:

> 200ml of soya/rice or almond milk
> 1 tbs. of Clearspring malt syrup
> 1 tsp. of Clearspring Matcha powder
> 1 banana (can substitute with other fresh or frozen fruit)
> Ice cubes

*Please note packaging may vary