MATCHA 101

Want to start your matcha morning ritual
but you need a bit more information about matcha?

Little Match Studio is inspired and driven on matcha
(I drink matcha daily so I am really fueled by this green magical elixir)

WHAT IS MATCHA?

MATCHA IS a type of green tea that instead of steeped, it is stonemill grounded into a powder form. Matcha is made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis which all tea’s derive from.
Matcha brings a sense of calm and focus with high levels of Caffeine without the jitters.

MATCHA AND IT’S HEalth BENEFITS

MATCHA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:

VITAMIN E & HIGH IN antioxidants- EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) a type of plant catechin is a polyphenols found in tea, eliminating toxins AND is great FOR RADIANT HAIR, SKIN, and nails, giving you that glow.

Chlorophyll is also present, Rich in VitaminS
A, C, & E- promotes your immunity and ANY inflammation in the body.

FULL OF RICH AMINO ACID, L-THEANINE, A Compound that boosts brain Cognitive function allows you to stay focused, calm, and relaxed throughout the day.

HELPS FIGHT/lowers CHOLESTEROL , boosts YOUR METABOLISM and elevates your energy.


FUN FACT:
DID YOU KNOW Matcha does not interfere with sleep! Although matcha contains caffeine, the amino acid compound L-THeanine that is present in Matcha actually helps reduce stress AND HAS relaxing properties - you can drink matcha
to help you stay focused and or ALLOW FOR BETTER SLEEP AT NIGHT. MAKING MATCHA
sleep-friendly.

GRADES OF MATCHA

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MATCHA GRADES RUNNING FROM LOW TO HIGH GRADE MATCHA.

COMPARING THE COLORS CAN EASILY HELP YOU DIFFERENTIATE THE QUALITY. LOWER QUALITY MATCHA usually tends to lack the bright emerald radio active looking green THAT IS IDEAL. Low quality matcha usually are found as culinary grade that ranges more on the prominent bitter notes vs high Quality premium matcha is RICH IN Flavors with umami notes and has a hint of sweetness.

High grade, premium, single orgin, AND or labelled as “ceremonial grade” matcha are used and reserved for traditional tea ceremonies. This grade is also best for making A daily cup of matcha or matcha latteS. This is preferRed and ideal for daily consumption.

QUALITY MATCHA

MATCHA PRICE RANGES depending on quality. TYPICALLY ceremonial grade matcha will be priced at the higher end since this grade is usually 1st harvest (SPRING TIME), meaning The youngest tea leaves are plucked within the span of 2 weeks, usually starting in the month of May. THis is also known as first flush tea. This is when the young spring buds of the tea leaf are most nutritious and have stored highEST level concentration of amino acid compound of
L-theanine AND CHLOROPHYLL.

THE FIRST HARVEST TEA LEAVES APPEAR MORE VIBRANT IN COLOR AND OVERALL has a BETTER TASTING PROFILE. YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THAT
ROUND, sweet nutty UMAMI flavor. THIS WOULD DETERMINE A GOOD

quality MATCHA.

AS FOR second and third flush, these tea leaves are mostly used for lower grade matcha and or FOR culinary PURPOSES. They are less vibrant, less umami/SWEET, and ARE more bitter. typically the second and third flush are harvested for LOOSE LEAF TEA or RTD (READY TO DRINK) LIKe hojicha, sencha, genmaicha, etc. REcently, with the high demand for matcha quantity over quality and lower price points, these grade of matcha have made its way into the market.

OVERALL I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND MATCHA A LITTLE BIT BETTER HELPING YOU FIND THE PERFECT MATCHA TO TEST OUT AND TRY~

I’ll TRY TO PICK OUT POPULAR MATCHA BRANDS SOON AND REIVEW, BUT FOR NOW I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT MATCHA!

CHEERS!