Matcha

Matcha is a powdered form of Japanese green tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. In chanoyu, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, matcha is used exclusively.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPrDuHjeDS4 Authentic matcha is said to resemble spinach in taste.http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02735/green-tea-benefits Generally sweeter and less astringent than darker ones, lighter green shades of matcha are considered of higher quality. Matcha dissolves well in water and is used in dishes and dessert.http://www.bento.com/fexp-greentea.html Matcha latte is enjoyed in coffee shops.http://www.starbucksstore.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=623307 Long enjoyed in Japan, matcha aisu kurīmu or matcha green tea ice cream is now available in America.http://www.bassettsicecream.com/Matcha2.pdf

According to legend, a Chinese emperor discovered tea when leaves from a tea bush fell into his open pot of boiling water. However, it was not until the Song Dynasty period of Chinese history when powdered lightly processed green tea appeared, although the powder was then turned into tea cakes that worked like bouillon cubes. Although the practice of grinding tea leaves into powder was later abandoned in China, it was brought over by Zen monks to Japan, where it matured to its current form. Today, only 4% of Japan's matcha is exported abroad.http://www.domatcha.com/matcha/

To produce high-quality matcha, tea leaves are covered with straw, grass or cloth for two to three weeks before they are harvested. The harvested leaves, called tencha, are steamed and dried, but not rolled like most green teas. Veins and stems are removed before the leaves are milled into fine powder. http://www.bento.com/fexp-greentea.html