What Is Matcha?

Move over coconut water. Matcha is the next big thing. Shops specializing in matcha beverages are popping up all over New York, mixologists at Chicago’s Ramen-San can whisk you up a matcha-laced cocktail, you can order a matcha latte at Starbucks, and Los Angeles restaurants have been adding it to everything from noodles to donuts. And the Japanese have been selling matcha Kit Kats for years.

Which may have you might be wondering…what on earth is this stuff? Matcha (from the Japanese “ma” meaning powder and “cha” meaning tea) is a powdered version of green tea whose leaves are dried indoors or in the shade. With matcha, instead of steeping the leaves and drinking the liquid, you’re drinking the whole leaf.

Back in 1191, Chinese Zen monk Eisai brought green tea seeds, the concept of the tea ceremony, and the Rinzai school of Zen philosophy to Japan. The seeds flourished where he planted them around Kyoto and it’s believed that he was the first to grind and enjoy them in powdered form with hot water.

Matcha has a flavor that is somehow both bitter and sweet and slightly reminiscent of seaweed. It’s tastier than it sounds. It is traditionally just enjoyed with water, but coffeeshops will often use some version of milk and/or sugar to cut the bitterness.

What are the benefits?

Experts claim that because matcha contains the amino acid L-theanine, it came make you feel relaxed, but also focused. It also contains caffeine, but is said to deliver in a more measured way so the effect is less dramatic and lasts for four to six hours. It also contains anti-inflammatory antioxidants and 137 times the amount of EGCG found in common green tea.

Chocolate Matcha Energy Balls

Here’s an easy matcha recipe that makes a great little snack you can take almost anywhere. They’re not sweet, but they are satisfying. 56 calories each.

Total Time: 10 minutes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: None

Yield: 14 balls, 1 serving each

Ingredients:

½ cup dates, pitted

½ cup whole raw almonds

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. matcha powder, plus more for rolling*

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. 100% maple syrup

Preparation:

1. Place dates, almonds, cocoa, matcha in food processor. Pulse until well mixed.

2. Add extract and maple syrup. Pulse until well mixed.

3. Roll into 14 balls about the size of a tablespoon.

4. Roll balls in matcha powder

5. Enjoy or store in refrigerator until ready to eat.

*Specialty grocery stores near you may carry matcha, but if you can’t find it, here are three online shops I recommend: Ippodo, a 300-year old shop in Kyoto that has an outpost in NYC, Palais des Thés where I purchased the matcha for this recipe, or Panatea.

All photos by Rebecca Swanner.