Matcha – powdered green tea from Japan and China

Matcha is one of the world’s most exceptional teas – intensely green, aromatic and full of valuable properties. Above all, it stands out for its form, resembling a fine powder, as well as the way it is grown, processed and prepared – practices that have been an important part of Japanese culture for centuries. Powdered green tea matcha is becoming increasingly popular with people who enjoy a healthy lifestyle, natural drinks and culinary experimentation.

In this category, you’ll find everything you need to discover its flavour and prepare it the traditional way: Japanese and Chinese matcha teas, matcha accessories, complete preparation sets and alternatives such as blue matcha. Looking for high-quality matcha, the best matcha-making set or wondering where to buy matcha that’s fresh and aromatic? You’re in the right place.

What is matcha? Powdered matcha tea from Japan and China

Matcha is powdered green tea with an intense colour and distinctive, deep flavour. It is made from the leaves of the tea plant, which are shaded before harvesting so they develop more chlorophyll and amino acids. After drying, the leaves are ground into an ultra-fine powder – creating powdered matcha tea, which retains all the properties of the whole leaf.

Matcha – intense flavour and a unique preparation ritual

Matcha is a ritual where every detail matters. Its flavour is distinctive and vegetal, with a characteristic umami note and delicate sweetness. Thanks to its creamy texture and intense green colour, preparing matcha becomes a real pleasure. To bring out its full flavour, traditional tools include a matcha whisk (chasen), a matchawan and a bamboo spoon (chashaku). They help turn matcha into a smooth, velvety drink that can be enjoyed on its own or with milk as a matcha latte.

Types of matcha – Japanese, Chinese, culinary and ceremonial

Matcha tea comes in several varieties, each with a different purpose, flavour and properties. At MateMundo, you’ll find top-quality Japanese matcha teas for traditional drinking, as well as culinary varieties ideal for desserts, smoothies and matcha lattes. There is also Chinese matcha and organic BIO matcha, produced in accordance with strict growing standards.

Japanese ceremonial matcha

Japanese matcha for ceremonial use is the highest quality, chosen primarily for traditional tea ceremonies. It is characterised by exceptional smoothness, deep umami and natural sweetness. Its intense green colour reflects careful cultivation and the highest standards of processing. Ceremonial matcha is ideal for traditional preparation in a matchawan using a chasen, with no additions – allowing you to fully appreciate its creamy texture and subtle flavour.

Organic BIO matcha

BIO matcha is a great choice for those who value natural, organic products of the highest quality. It comes from certified crops where the leaves are grown without synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers. Japanese BIO matcha stands out for its clean flavour, intense colour and wealth of nutrients. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of powdered green tea with confidence.

Chinese matcha – ideal for cooking and smoothies

Chinese matcha is a more affordable alternative that works very well in the kitchen. Its flavour is milder and less intense than Japanese matcha, so it pairs beautifully with other ingredients. It’s ideal for smoothies, shakes, plant-based drinks, desserts and baking. If you enjoy culinary experiments or make matcha lattes every day, Chinese matcha is an excellent, economical option.

Culinary matcha – for baking, desserts and lattes

Culinary matcha is made especially for cooking and baking. It has an intensely tea-like, slightly more pronounced flavour that beautifully balances the sweetness of cakes, biscuits, puddings and smoothies. It also gives dishes a distinctive green colour. It’s an excellent base for matcha lattes, both classic and made with plant-based drinks. A must-have for anyone who loves creative recipes featuring tea.

What’s the difference between Japanese and Chinese matcha?

Although matcha teas from Japan and China look similar, they differ in flavour, colour, aroma and intended use. The main difference lies in how the leaves are grown and how long they are shaded. In Japan, this process is very strict – the plants are shaded for a few weeks before harvesting, which increases their chlorophyll and amino acid content. As a result, Japanese matcha has an intense green colour, a velvety texture and pronounced umami. It’s ideal for everyday drinking as well as ceremonial preparation.

Chinese matcha is also made from shaded leaves, but the process may be shorter and the standards less stringent than in Japan. As a result, its flavour is milder, sometimes more grassy, and its colour may be slightly lighter. It’s a great choice for everyday culinary uses such as smoothies, shakes and matcha lattes, where affordability and versatility matter.

So your choice depends on how you want to enjoy matcha – whether you prefer a traditional ritual or creative recipes for everyday use.

Is matcha healthy? The key properties of matcha tea

Matcha has long been regarded as one of the most valuable forms of green tea. Because you consume it whole – as a powder, rather than as an infusion made from leaves – your body absorbs many more valuable compounds. That’s why many people ask: is matcha healthy? The answer is yes, and its properties are truly impressive!

Above all, matcha is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins such as EGCG, which support the body’s natural protective processes. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid associated with gentle relaxation, improved concentration and “calm energy” – the effect that makes matcha a popular daytime alternative to coffee.

Its properties are appreciated both by people looking for a healthier alternative for a morning boost and by those who enjoy natural products with a wide range of culinary uses. So matcha is not just a fashionable addition to lattes and smoothies, but a valuable part of an everyday routine.

How to drink and prepare matcha

Matcha tea is associated with the Japanese tea ceremony, but preparing it doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple accessories and a moment of care are all you need to make a drink with a perfectly creamy texture and intense flavour at home. If you’re wondering how to drink matcha, how much powder to use and which accessories you’ll need, you’ll find everything you need to know below.

Matcha preparation set

To prepare matcha the traditional way, it’s best to choose a complete matcha set with the essential accessories:

• matchawan – a ceramic bowl for mixing tea powder with water,
• chasen – a bamboo whisk for matcha that creates a velvety, frothy foam,
• chashaku – a special bamboo spoon for accurately measuring a portion of tea,
• optionally, kusenaoshi – a stand for storing and shaping the chasen.

A matcha-making set makes it easier to prepare the drink correctly, while making the whole process special and relaxing. If you want the best results, the right matcha accessories make preparation much easier – whether you’re new to this green tea or a more experienced enthusiast.

How to prepare matcha

Preparing matcha is simple, and the ritual soon becomes a pleasant daily routine. Here’s a basic guide to preparing matcha:

1. Measure out 1-2 g of powder (about 1-2 level spoonfuls using a chashaku, or half a teaspoon). Before adding the tea to the bowl, you can sift the powder through a sieve for an even smoother drink.

2. Add a small amount of water (about 70-100 ml) at a temperature of around 70-80°C.

3. Using a bamboo chasen whisk, whisk the matcha briskly in an “M” or “W” shape until you get a smooth, frothy foam. If you don’t have a chasen to hand, you can use a milk frother or a small fork.

4. Add more water for a milder drink, or leave it as it is for a more intense flavour.

Your matcha is now ready to drink on its own, or to use as a base for matcha lattes, smoothies, shakes and desserts. With this simple technique, you can make the most of the flavour and properties of powdered matcha tea every day.

Matcha accessories – whisk, matchawan and gift sets

To prepare matcha in keeping with tradition, it’s worth choosing the right matcha accessories. They give the ritual its distinctive character and help you achieve the perfect consistency.

Matcha whisk (chasen)

A chasen is a bamboo whisk for matcha. It’s one of the most important tools in the whole ritual. Its delicate, flexible bamboo tines quickly and effectively disperse the powder in water, creating the characteristic frothy foam on the surface of the drink.

Matchawan – traditional matcha bowl

A matchawan is a ceramic bowl (often also searched for as a “matcha cup”), made especially for preparing and drinking matcha. Its wide sides and gently rounded shape make it easy to whisk the tea with a chasen without splashing the drink.

Chashaku – bamboo measuring spoon

A chashaku is a small, slender bamboo spoon or scoop designed to measure the perfect portion of matcha. One chashaku measure is usually about 1 g of powder – just the right amount for a cup of intensely flavoured drink.

Matcha-making set as a gift

If you’re looking for an elegant, practical gift for a tea lover, a matcha-making set is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for beginners who want to start exploring powdered matcha tea, as well as more experienced drinkers who will appreciate the beautifully made accessories. Attractive packaging and carefully chosen combinations make gift sets some of the most popular products in this category – for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.

Blue matcha – an alternative to classic green matcha

Blue matcha, also known as “blue matcha”, is an interesting and eye-catching alternative to classic green matcha tea. Despite its name, it isn’t tea – it is made from powdered butterfly pea flowers, a plant valued for its intense blue pigment and delicate earthy, floral flavour. At MateMundo, you’ll find blue matcha as a food supplement, perfect as a base for a striking blue drink or as a colouring for smoothies, shakes and biscuits.

Best matcha – how to choose the right variety for you

Choosing the best matcha depends above all on how you plan to use it and the flavour you’re looking for. Each variety – Japanese, Chinese, culinary, ceremonial or organic – has different properties and uses. Before buying, it’s worth deciding whether you want matcha for traditional drinking, an everyday drink or a matcha latte, or perhaps for desserts and smoothies.

The best matcha is the one that suits your needs:

• for traditional drinking – Japanese ceremonial matcha,
• for an everyday ritual – premium Japanese or BIO matcha,
• for culinary experimentation – Chinese or culinary matcha,
• as a gift or starter option – a matcha set with accessories.

Sets containing not only the tea itself but also the essential accessories are another great option for beginners. They let you start your matcha journey straight away and try different ways of preparing it.

Where to buy matcha tea?

When choosing matcha, it’s worth considering not only its country of origin, where it was grown and its variety, but above all where you buy it. Powdered matcha tea should be fresh, aromatic, stored correctly and sourced from a trusted supplier. This is particularly important because matcha is delicate and can lose quality easily.

Where should you buy matcha tea? Ideally, from shops specialising in tea, infusions and natural products – ones that take care over storage conditions and offer only trusted brands. At MateMundo, you’ll find a wide selection of Japanese and Chinese matcha, along with sets and accessories to help you prepare a full-flavoured drink.

Choose your matcha at MateMundo

At MateMundo, we make sure everyone can find their ideal matcha – whether they’re just beginning to explore this remarkable tea or looking for top-quality Japanese ceremonial matcha. We offer a wide range of powdered matcha, accessories and sets to help you prepare your drink the traditional way and experience the true flavour of Japan.

Discover the world of matcha, explore its many varieties and enjoy its flavour every day. Choose your favourite tea and start your own ritual full of aroma, colour and energy.