Black tea is the second most popular consumed beverage after water. Traditionally, very few people in the world know about the different types of tea. However, today, you can easily find a wide range of tea, including black tea, green tea, oolong tea, white tea, herbal tea, matcha tea, and many more. Although different tea varieties are made from the Camellia sinensis plant, what makes each type of tea unique is the way the tea leaves are processed.
Among all the varieties of teas, matcha tea has skyrocketed in popularity due to its known health benefits and unique taste. Since matcha tea is a stone-ground fine powder of pure green tea leaves, and you consume the whole tea leaves, it offers you many health benefits. However, not all matcha is created equally. That is why it is not easy to find high quality matcha tea. So, here we will share a few factors you should consider when buying matcha tea.
What things should you consider when buying organic matcha tea?
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Color
Matcha tea gets its bright green color due to the chlorophyll present in its leaves. The youngest freshest leaves have the highest chlorophyll level, which results in a bright green powder when the tea leaves are steamed and then stone-ground down into a fine powder. The greener the color, the better the quality.
- Taste
The best quality matcha tea will have a smooth and sweet taste without any additives. In contrast, the dull-colored matcha tea has a bitter taste. It requires you to add sugar or artificial sweeteners to overcome the bitterness. Also, the tea leaves that are harvested in autumn or winter are likely to taste bitter.
- Aroma
Just like wine, good-quality matcha tea will draw you in with its strong and vivid aroma. It should smell fresh with grassy notes with a slight vegetal smell. High-quality matcha usually contains a high level of amino acids (L-theanine), which adds a hint of sweet flavor to the tea.
- Texture
The best quality matcha tea is a finely ground powder. So, high-quality matcha powder must have fine particles like cornstarch or talcum powder; it should feel smooth and silky when you rub it between your fingers. You can do a paper test by grabbing a pinch of matcha powder and smearing it onto white paper. A long clean line means the matcha tea is of good quality, whereas the rocky version indicates poor quality matcha tea.
- Froth and Solubility
After whisking, the best organic matcha tea powder will yield an excellent layer of frothy foam. The better the matcha tea, the more froth it will create. A thin layer of bubbles is another sign of poor quality matcha. Apart from this, you should pay attention to its solubility. If matcha tea dissolves in cold as well as hot water without clumps, it means the stems and veins have been removed from the tea leaves before grounding them into a fine powder.
The Bottom Line
While we have listed all the major factors that can help you find the best quality matcha tea, you can consider its grade, origin, purity, packaging, and price. Organic matcha tea powder is ideal, especially for those who want to reduce their caffeine intake; it contains a lesser amount of caffeine than coffee and can offer you a range of health benefits when consumed regularly.
Now that you know how to buy premium quality matcha tea, what are you waiting for? Find a reliable matcha tea supplier and add an outstanding beverage to your diet now! All the Best!
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