Matcha for Thin and Thick

Matcha for Thin and Thick

Generally Matcha is considered to be the finest of the green tea powder. Resulting from the careful pulverization of first sprouts, hand-picked tencha leaves in a stone mill, it represents the quintessence of Chinese Matcha.

Matcha used to be flourishing in the tea banquet of Song Dynasty for “Dian Cha”(Tea art like coffee art) and “Dou Cha”( tea competition).

The turquoise tea foam like a cloud can’t be blow off by wind, it forms white flowers floating and condensing on surface of tea water and exuding beautiful color.

碧云引风吹不断, 白花浮光凝碗面.

It is the praise of the Tang Dynasty poet Lu Tong for Matcha.

Matcha presents a brilliant green color and rich in prominent Umami flavor. It is suitable for the use of both thin Matcha (Usucha), and thick Matcha (Koicha). Due to its high level in amino acid, caffeine and tea polyphenol etc nutrient substances, the Matcha is a great energizer. It will also bring physical and mental well-balanced conditions to its drinkers, filling them with a sense of satisfaction and a deep tranquility. The distinct sweet sensation of the Matcha will last on their taste buds for a long time.

Matcha used in the tea ceremony must be enjoyed in terms of the differences in taste, color, and aroma; therefore, there are many grades from highest quality to affordable. The higher quality, the Matcha is sweeter after taste and therefore more delicious and it brings more pleasant in physical and mental enjoyment. The lower quality, the Matcha tends to be bitter.

Thin Matcha (Usucha) and Thick Matcha (Koicha)

Thin Matcha ceremony is more casual and exquisite sado. The foam of tea infusion is created by a bamboo whisk.

The Thick Matcha gives a higher concentration of Matcha, and therefore, the quality of the Matcha is more evident. All Matcha can be brewed as a thin tea (usucha). Thick tea (koicha) will stir the tea into a concentrated paste, so it is not suited for average grade tea with strong bitterness and astringency.

To summarize, high grade Matcha can be used for both thick Matcha and thin Matcha, but intermediate grades and lower are only suitable for thin Matcha. Thin Matcha brewed with high grade Matcha has a lot of natural umami and a round aroma, and it is the best quality tea.