Matcha – The Healthiest and Most Delicious Green Tea In the World

For centuries, Matcha has been considered the most revered green tea in the world. Traditionally used in medicinal preparations and for ceremonial purposes, it is said that Zen Buddist monks consumed Matcha for facilitating meditation and in order to ensure vibrant health and longevity.

There are many grades of Matcha. The quality of Matcha is determined by two key factors: the point at which it is harvested and how it is processed. The first spring harvest of the young, green shade-grown Tencha leaves is used for our Organic Ceremonial Matcha. Our Organic Premium Matcha comes from Tencha leaves collected after the spring harvest creating a richer, more full-bodied taste.

In addition to harvest time, processing plays a crucial role in determining flavour profiles and nutritional value. Lower, less-expensive grades pulverize the stems with the leaves, creating a bitter taste and a yellow-green colour. Some Matcha is prepared using hot pressure processing that destroys the delicate compounds, creating oxidation and consequently a lower quality Matcha. Organic Traditions offers two grades of Tea: Organic Ceremonial Matcha and Organic Premium Matcha.

Organic Ceremonial Matcha utilizes the first spring shade-grown young Tencha leaves of the plant. Using traditional methods, the delicate leaves are slowly ground into a fine jade green powder. Ceremonial Matcha has a sweet, vibrant green tea flavour profile and aroma and is known as the most expensive grade green tea in the world. In a traditional context, this is the tea that is reserved for special occasions, ceremony, and meditation, and is mainly used in Japanese Buddhist temples and for the sacred Japanese tea ceremony.

Organic Traditions Premium Grade Matcha is ideal for everyday use, as well as all culinary and smoothie applications. The tea leaves are selected from a later harvest offering a full bodied, earthy green tea taste without the astringency or bitterness associated with lower-quality grade Matchas.

Organic Traditions Organic Ceremonial Matcha and Organic Premium Matcha come from the birth place of Matcha, the southern region of Kyoto where the famous Japanese tea gardens were first planted in the 12th century when the Zen monk Myoan Eisai brought precious seeds of the Camellia sinensis plant back for Japanese monks.

As the highest antioxidant superfood with an ORAC of 4,000 per 1 tsp (3 g serving), Matcha provides a host of protective antioxidants beyond any other superfood known. Drinking Matcha is equivalent to consuming 10 cups of regular green tea. The naturally occurring amino acid L-Theanine provides balanced sustained energy and encourages a relaxed, calm, alert mind.

Organic Traditions Organic Ceremonial Matcha and Organic Premium Matcha contain a host of antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients. We have taken great care to ensure optimal stability by packing our Matcha in Miron glass and a triple laminated pouch, the most protective packaging options available for products that are highly sensitive to oxidative damage. Nutritional integrity, protection, and freshness of Matcha’s vital constituents are of primary importance.

Place ½-1 tsp of Organic Traditions Organic Ceremonial Matcha or Organic Premium Matcha in a large, wide-mouthed bowl. Heat up water between 65-85°C (or 150-185°F). Boiling water should never be used as it degrades the delicate compounds of the tea. If you do not have a thermometer, test with your finger until the water is warm but not hot. Pour a small amount of water into the bowl (roughly 2 ounces) and using a small stainless steel whisk, a traditional bamboo whisk, or a spoon, quickly whisk the contents until all the powder is incorporated into the water creating a frothy green paste. Add more water. Depending on how strong and concentrated you would like your tea to be, add anywhere from 2-6 ounces.

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Organic Traditions Ceremonial and Premium Matcha Green Tea is available at the Big Carrot’s Wholistic Dispensary, 348 Danforth Ave, Toronto (dispensary@thebigcarrot.ca). Contact Francis Ashwagandha, MH at (416) 466-8432 for more information. To contact Advantage Health Matters call 1-800-304-1497 or visit https://www.advantagehealthmatters.com