We’re big fans of matcha around here. It’s energizing, detoxifying and makes the best focus-boosting pick-me-up. So how is it different from regular green tea? Matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves – so with every sip, you’re consuming all the benefits of the full leaf. The best part? It’s surprisingly fast and easy to whisk up this emerald green tea at home. All you need to do is master these three key elements:
- • Using the proper teaware (hello, matcha bowl & bamboo whisk!)
- • Getting the right water temperature
- • Perfecting your whisking technique
And we’re going to show you how to do just that in four easy-breezy steps. Get these down pat and you’ll be calling yourself a matcha connoisseur in no time. You can thank us later.
What you’ll
need
- 2 Perfect Matcha Spoons traditional matcha OR 5 Perfect Matcha Spoons flavoured matcha
- 16 oz water, divided
- Bamboo whisk
- Matcha Bowl
- Matcha Bowl
- 16 oz mug
Step 1
Measure your matcha
Measure your matcha like a pro by using the DAVIDsTEA Perfect Matcha Spoon – a stainless steel spoon designed to help measure your green tea powder correctly to ensure a perfect cup, every time. Just scoop 2-3 Perfect Matcha Spoons (approx. 1 teaspoon) of traditional matcha or 5-6 Perfect Matcha Spoons (approx. 2.5 teaspoons) of flavoured matcha into a matcha bowl..
Different types of matchas require difference quantities.
Traditional matcha: Fresh, complex & vegetal – we use this classic green tea powder in small quantities to avoid the grassy flavour from being too overpowering. Enjoy this benefit-packed tea’s traditional flavours the way it’s been sipped for thousands of years in Japan.
Flavoured matcha: From decadent & creamy to fresh & fruity – we use a higher quantity of flavoured matcha so that the sweetness of the blend and the vegetal notes of the green tea powder brew up perfectly balanced. This is a great place to start if you’re a matcha newbie.
Step 2
Add warm water & form a paste
With your matcha powder ready to go, it’s now time to fill your matcha bowl with 2 oz of warm water from a kettle and use a traditional bamboo whisk to whisk your matcha into a smooth, clump-free paste
Water temperature is one of the most important variables in steeping a consistently bright and tasty cup of matcha.
Keep it to a warm 75-85°C (170-185°F) so as to not burn your matcha powder and give it a bitter taste. Cooler water temp also means your matcha will froth up to that eye-catching jade colour. Use cooler temp 75°C for traditional matcha and (85°C) for flavoured matcha.
Don’t have a thermometer?
Let your boiled kettle sit for 7-10 minutes before using.
Step 3
Whisk to create froth
Add another 2 oz of warm water to your matcha paste and start whisking to suspend the particles and incorporate some air into your drink.
How to whisk matcha like a pro.
Briskly whisk your matcha in an “M” formation going from the bottom of the bowl and working your way up towards the surface until the matcha reaches a smooth consistency and a layer of foam appears. Repeat until you get that vibrant Insta-worthy froth.
PRO TIP: For an extra frothy matcha, soak the tips of your whisk in warm water before using.
Step 4
Pour into mug & enjoy
Pour the frothed matcha green tea into your favourite 16 oz mug and fill with warm 75-85°C (170-185°F water from the kettle before sipping.
Give it a little stir before sipping
This will help the tea cool down quicker and distribute the matcha evenly throughout your cup.
Steeping guide
White tea
The purest, least-processed tea, air-dried and only slightly oxidized
Steep Temp:
90°C/195°F
Steep Time:
3-5 min.
Green tea
Bright, invigorating and delicate – green tea leaves are either steamed or pan-fired
Steep Temp:
Japanese green tea: 80°C/175°F
Chinese green tea:
85°C/185°F
Steep Time:
2-4 min.
Oolong tea
Partly oxidized tea that’s deep, complex, and fragrant – a step along the way to black
Steep Temp:
90°C/195°F
Steep Time:
4-5 min.
Black tea
Fully oxidized during processing, it needs a lot of heat to help extract its dark, rich flavours
Steep Temp:
95°C/200°F
Steep Time:
3-5 min.
Pu’erh tea
An aged tea that’s naturally fermented for a sweet, mellow and distinctively earthy brew
Steep Temp:
95°C/200°F
Steep Time:
4-5 min.
Maté
Get the perfect balance of toasty and earthy sweetness from this smooth South American herb
Steep Temp:
95°C/200°F
Steep Time:
3-5 min.
Rooibos
A naturally sweet, hydrating and caffeine-free herb that comes from the South African rooibos bush.
Steep Temp:
95°C/200°F
Steep Time:
4-5 min.
Herbal & Fruit Infusions
Not actually tea at all, but fresh or dried herbs, spices, fruit pieces, flowers and grains.
Steep Temp:
95°C/200°F
Steep Time:
5+ min.
Don’t have a thermometer? Use the boil-and-wait method.
95°C - 90°C:
Once your kettle has boiled, let sit for about 1-3 min with the lid open.
80°C - 85°C:
Once your kettle has boiled, let sit for about 7-8 min with the lid open.
75°C:
Once your kettle has boiled, let sit for about 10 min with the lid open.
Matcha recipes
Now that you know how to make the best cup of matcha ever, discover a new way to enjoy this vibrant green tea with quick & easy matcha recipes to try at home.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Decadent with crispy edges & an ooey-gooey centre – this is one matcha cookie recipe you’ll want to make with the whole family.
Read MoreSpicy Matcha Popcorn
Spice up your movie marathon with a quick and savoury snack dusted in cayenne and vibrant Matcha Matsu powder.
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