Japanese Green tea Matcha is one of the most popular green tea types in Japan. Do you know the beautiful fact that when Matcha green it is brewed at the perfect temperature? Today, let’s talk about how Matcha green tea can be more nutritious and beneficial for you when it is brewed properly!
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Temperature and Japanese Green Tea
Green tea temperature and it’s tastes
To ensure that the green tea is brewed correctly, and to bring out its intense flavor profile and benefits, it needs to be steeped with water of the perfect temperature. If the water is too hot a temperature, it will become bitter and flavorless. Likewise, if the water used is not a hot enough temperature, the flavor of the tea will not be released, and you will essentially be left with only slightly flavored water.
However, some green teas are better brewed at a lower temperature than others, so make sure that you are using the correct temperature for the type of tea that you are using! Ensuring that these types are brewed at the lower temperatures means that there will be no bitter flavors by too many tannins being released into the water.
All green teas contain both amino acids and tannins, which will determine the flavor. The amino acids dissolve at a lower temperature than the tannins (usually at 140⁰F/60⁰C), so using these lower temperatures avoids tannins being released whilst the amino acids dissolve to increase its natural sweetness.
Green tea temperature and it’s harvest season
As well as the type of tea affecting which temperature should be used, the grade of the tea and it’s time of harvest will also influence it. Higher grade teas will be best brewed at lower temperatures (120⁰F – 140⁰F approximately), and teas that were harvested in the spring will have lower required brewing temperatures than tea leaves that were harvested in the summer months.
Green tea temperature and tool
A tool that can be used to ensure the correct water temperature is used is a thermometer, along with a Pyrex or ceramic vessel so that boiled water can be cooled down to the correct temperature, and then added to the tea leaves or powder. If you are using matcha green tea, a great tool to use is a specialized whisk to ensure that the powder is fully incorporated into the water, and so that the heat is dispersed all around the tea powder and cup for optimum brewing temperature.
Green tea temperature and type of water
Another factor that should be considered for which temperature to use when brewing your tea, is the type of water that you use. Japanese green teas work and taste better when you use softer water, as it contains fewer minerals that can interact with the tea.
Finally, the duration at which you should steep your green tea is also a critical factor in creating the perfect cup of green tea. Again, a bitter flavor will emerge if the tea is brewed for too long a period of time, at any temperature, due to the release of the tannins. The rule of thumb is usually that the lower the temperature used, the longer the tea can be steeped for. Japanese green teas will be brewed for less time than Chinese green teas, usually one to three minutes, depending on the type of green tea and the temperature of the water used.
Recipes using Japanese matcha green tea
There are so many recipes where you can incorporate the sweet flavour of green tea, especially when using matcha green tea. You can create both savoury and sweet recipes and even homemade beauty products!
This recipe for matcha green tea doughnuts by A Beautiful Mess is a great use of Japanese green tea, and creates fantastic doughnuts for the perfect afternoon bite to have with a cup of green tea! It uses matcha green tea powder, as well as vanilla extract and buttermilk to enhance the natural flavor of the green tea used.
Matcha green tea doughnut
The ingredients are as follows:
- 1 and ¼ cup flour
- ¾ of a cup of sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon matcha green tea powder
- 2/3 cup oil (whichever oil you prefer, vegetable oil is used here)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
To make the doughnuts, you will first mix together the dry ingredients in one bowl and mix the wet ingredients together in another bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and combine together until fully mixed. Finally, pour the mixture into a greased doughnut pan and bake at 350⁰F for 12-14 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean when inserted into the doughnuts.
At the other end of the spectrum, Epic Matcha has created a recipe for a madras curry using matcha green tea powder. It uses all the usual curry suspects of madras powder, cumin, and coriander, whilst blending in the rich natural flavor of green tea. Adding in chicken makes it a full meal which will satisfy even the most refined of palates.
Matcha green tea chicken
The ingredients are as follows:
- 1 ½ cups chicken breast (diced)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 chopped carrots
- 1 tablespoon matcha green powder
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Madras curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 handful of fresh chopped cilantro
To start, place the olive oil, and all the spices and matcha powder into a pot over a medium temperature heat, cooking until the spices have infused into the oil and the fragrance is enhanced (usually takes between 2 – 3 minutes).
Next, stir in the chicken pieces, onion and carrots, with salt and pepper for extra seasoning, cooking for 7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes. Add the ready-made vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a boil, then reduce the temperature so that it comes to a simmer and cook for around 15 minutes. Finally, add the coconut milk and warm through until cooked, serving it with rice and the chopped cilantro on top as a final flourish.
Places in Japan to try matcha and other types of green tea
As you can expect, there are lots of places in Japan where you can experience the best of green tea that Japan has to offer. Whether it’s traditional, modern, or chain cafés that you’re after, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to visit to try authentic Japanese green tea.
Nana’s Green Tea
They use selected quality ingredients from across the whole of Japan, in order to provide interesting and quality drinks and food. The Japanese green tea they use is Uji green tea, brewed at its optimum temperature, and everything is made from scratch and prepared in advance so that customers can experience fast service. →Check out their product here!
Name: Nana’s Green Tea
Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:00 Mon to Sun
Address: Across Japan
Price: With lunch sets costing only ¥1000 (approximately $10) and including a matcha drink, a main dish, and some accompanying sweets.
Website：http://www.nanasgreentea.com/
Ippodo Tea Store
There is an authentic and traditional tea room inside, and you can even involve yourself in a hands-on tea lesson if that’s what you fancy. They offer take out green tea options too and even have a shop in the café so that you can take a piece of Japanese green tea culture home with you.→Check out their product here!
Name: Ippodo Tea Store
Opening hours: 11:00 – 19:00 Mon to Sun
Address 1: Across Japan
Address 2: 25 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A
Website：http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/shop/marunouchi-tokyo.html
Goryukaku
Located in Kyoto, this café is set inside a historical building which originates in the Taisho era of Japan’s history. The café also offers antique items, as well as amazing Japanese green tea drinks and food. You even have the option of having soy milk in your drinks rather than regular, and they have their own cider that is made from the local spring water. It’s a very affordable place to visit, and you can enjoy the history, art, and amazing scenery that Kyoto can offer.
Name: Goryukaku
Opening hours: 11:00 – 17:00 Mon to Sun
Address:〒605-0862京都府京都市東山区清水寺門前
Website：http://www.goryukaku.com/
Nakamura Tokichi Honten
One of the most established tea houses in the country is located in Uji, ten miles outside the centre of Kyoto. They have their own brand of Japanese green tea and offer traditional Japanese green tea ceremonies four times a day so that you can have an authentic experience. They also have their own on-site shop, which is also online, so you can grab a slice of Japanese culture.
Name: Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Opening hours: 11:00 – 19:00 Mon to Sun
Address: Across Japan
Website：https://www.tokichi.jp/
With so many options across the whole of Japan for experiencing authentic Japanese green tea, it can be hard to choose. But hopefully, with these options listed here, you will be able to find the green tea experience you are looking for.
Why do so many people enjoy drinking green tea?
Lots of people enjoy drinking Japanese green tea, not just for its taste, but for its various health benefits also. In Japan, it is a vital part of everyday life and is usually served with every meal, and provided free of charge at many restaurants. This practice has seeped into western Japanese restaurants, for example, Yo Sushi, and many traditionally family-run restaurants. For example, it has five times as much vitamin C as a lemon, so many people enjoy taking it as a remedy for a cold.
It can decrease high blood pressure
As well as being beneficial for colds, the catechins (a type of antioxidant) it contains means that it can decrease high blood pressure by boosting the circulatory system, and these are released when it is brewed at the perfect temperature. It is also believed to be an anti-carcinogen and has anti-inflammatory properties, due to being rich in flavonoids. The number of antioxidants it contains means that it is great for anti-aging, which is a huge part of Japanese skincare and lifestyle.
It helps aid with weight loss
On top of all these amazing benefits, it can also help aid with weight loss, as it helps to boost your metabolism, helping to oxidized fat and satiating your appetite so you don’t overeat. According to recent studies, there is a link between green tea and an improvement or prevention of Alzheimers and dementia, as a compound found in green tea helps to decrease plaque build-up in the brain.
It can relieve stress and restlessness, also improve brain function
It relieves stress and restlessness, as well as improving brain function. On the other end of the spectrum, matcha green tea is a great energizer and many people consume it in the morning in order to maximize their energy and productivity for the day. It’s a much healthier replacement for coffee if you require that little extra boost for the day. Matcha green tea is usually consumed either whisked with just water or mixed in with warm temperature normal or soy milk.
It contains minimal amounts of caffeine
With so many benefits of drinking green tea daily, it’s no wonder that so many people make it part of their daily lives. The experience of drinking Japanese green tea is also a relaxing and cultural experience, helping you to calm your mind so that you can unwind at the end of the day, especially consumed at a warming temperature. It only contains minimal amounts of caffeine so it won’t keep you awake, meaning it’s a great drink at any time of the day.
It’s such a vital part of Japanese culture and can be found across the whole of the country. In recent years, it has boomed in popularity in western countries thanks to the marketing of its various health benefits and how it can be used in various recipes. This means that Japan has benefited from the exporting of it’s dried and powdered green tea products, and the green tea industry has grown exponentially.
Overall, Japanese green tea, and the various methods and water temperatures used to make it, is a fantastic product to use every day. You can use it in so many different recipes, both savory and sweet, as well as just enjoying it in a latte or the usual brew using optimum temperature water.
You might also like٩(●˙▿˙●)۶…⋆ฺ:
→The Top 9 Matcha Benefits You Should Know About!
→How to Properly Brew Japanese Green Tea
→Japanese Tea Ceremony In 6 Steps That You Want To Know!
→Weight Loss Has Been “Matcha Green Tea” Easier!
