Brimming with a naturally sweet nuttiness infused with rich, vegetal notes, matcha tea offers a unique flavour profile that tea lovers can’t get enough of — and for very good reason.
Made from finely ground green tea leaves harvested by hand, the unique creation process increases the leaves' chlorophyll and amino acid content, giving matcha its famous bright green hue. When ground into a delicate and fine powder, matcha retains the leaves' full spectrum of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, helping to support your overall health and well-being with each tasty sip.
Whether you’re a fitness buff adding it to your favourite smoothie for a healthy dose of goodness, a tea lover who treasures the intricate brewing and whisking process or even a newbie to the world of matcha and ready to indulge in your first sip, T2 has a collection of matcha green tea just waiting to be discovered. Explore our range today to elevate your drinking experience with the highest-quality matcha.
Unpacking the process: How matcha tea is made
Traditionally grown and produced in Japan by tea farmers, matcha comes from the same plant that green teas are derived from. However, unlike other teas, the flavour profile is brought to life by a complex production and cultivation process that’s a true art form in and of itself. From the farm to your bowl or cup, matcha green tea is made by:
Harvesting and shade growth
The delicate tea leaves undergo a unique shading process, where bamboo mats cover them to protect them from direct sunlight, which can change the natural balance of caffeine, sugar and flavonols. To increase its chlorophyll content, the shade growth process begins roughly two to six weeks before harvest and forces the antioxidants to rest on the top outermost layer of the leaves. This gives matcha its alluring, lush green hue and intense umami flavour.
Hand-picked
Hachijuhachiya, which marks the year’s first tea picking, occurs during April and May. The harvesters only pick the youngest, greenest and most tender leaves to ensure they’re of the finest quality. These leaves are then steamed immediately for around 20 seconds to prevent oxidation. This process also enables the leaves to retain their green shade and nutritional components.
Drying and sorting
After the steaming process, the leaves are dried and stems, veins and other impurities are discarded to ensure the highest quality tea leaves — these are known as tencha. The leaves will then pass through a blower to eliminate moisture.
Grinding
The tencha leaves are ground into a rich green matcha powder using traditional techniques passed down for centuries. Tea producers then sort them into containers according to their colour, texture, aroma and flavour profile.
Packing
Once the fine powder offers a consistently rich and decadent texture, the powder undergoes vacuum packing. Matcha green tea needs to be stored away from direct sunlight and moisture — these can impact its flavour and colour.
Matcha — easy to make, easy to sip on
We can’t get enough of matcha — and neither can our customers! Much like coffee, preparing matcha is a calming and soothing ritual that involves passing about a teaspoon through a fine-mesh sieve and whisking the powder with a small amount of hot (not boiling) water. Depending on how you like your cup, you can top your matcha tea with more water or add your favourite hot or cold milk. Plant-based milk also works well.
Looking for a new way to consume your matcha? Try putting it in smoothies, soups, porridge, chia pudding or fruit juices. Of course, we like this superhero tea all on its own, but there are plenty of ways to mix it up and get the full benefits of matcha! If you want to immerse yourself in the full matcha green tea experience, whisk your tea in the traditional style with our authentic matcha accessories. Our original glass, double-wall matcha bowl and bamboo whisk are perfect for your tea set.
If you’re new to matcha tea or sensitive to caffeine, stick to one or two cups a day and enjoy the matcha benefits and the delicious, frothy taste and texture of the tea.
Indulge in the delicious flavours of matcha tea at T2
Our premium matcha powders have a rich creaminess to them when whisked and a delicate balance of vegetal undertones, with a smooth sweetness and an irresistible aromatic aftertaste that lingers with deliciousness.
