What is so special about Uji Matcha?

Japan must be your nirvana if you're a matcha lover and looking for matcha tea products to enjoy. Matcha is a popular fine green tea powder all over the world, yet only a small number of people will ever experience the purest, ceremonial grade matcha that has been grown in Uji for centuries. A small, elite community of farmers in Uji cultivate matcha, the highest-quality variety of tea produced worldwide. Here's all you need to know about Uji Matcha.

Uji Matcha History

Around 800 years ago, at the start of the Kamakura era, the founder of the Rinzai Zen priest Eisai brought tea seeds from China's Song dynasty. It is believed that this is where the Japanese tea planting tradition began. The regional priests were also instructed in tea cultivation and processing techniques by Eisai. Tea farmers invented the sun shade growing method. Later, Uji became the center of excellence for tea production with the methods developed throughout. Additionally, tea cultivation in Uji city quickly increased due to favorable environmental factors, including gently sloping hills, direct sunlight, relatively low rainfall, and good soil characteristics. In the middle of the fourteenth century, the practice of drinking high quality tea spread. Uji surpassed the legendary Toganoo in Kyoto prefecture as a major tea producers in the 15th century. One of Uji's "Seven Famous Gardens," the tea plantation "Oku no Yama," was established during the Muromachi Period and still stands today.

In the latter half of the 16th century, tea growers developed "ishita saibai," a novel uji method for cultivating tea, was created. This process resulted in tea with vibrant, deep-green leaves that have a potent flavor. It's important to remember that caffeine concentration and sunshine exposure a tea plant receives are inversely correlated. As a result, shade grown teas, like gyokuro, contain more caffeine than other teas grown in the sun. The first batch of authentic matcha, Japan's well-known fine powder tea, is believed to have been made from this tea plant, earning it the title of best in Japan. 

What exactly is Uji Matcha?

The youngest tea plants are used to make Uji matcha powdered teas, which is said to be the best matcha powder produced in Japan. It is called after the area of Uji, Japan, which is located on the southeast border of Kyoto. The little town of Uji is well known for its tea, and the area is regarded as producing a high quality matcha. Thanks to Uji's geographic misty climate and location, which is basin surrounded and gets hot sunny summers and cold winters. Thus ensuring the growth of the highest grade matcha green tea leaves.

Additionally, a Japanese Zen Buddhist priest by the name of Myōan Eisai visited China in the 13th century and returned to Kyoto with tea seedlings and the technique for making powdered green tea, making Uji the origin of the Japanese tea ceremonies.

The Difference Between Uji Matcha and other Matcha Green Teas

The Uji tea leaves are subjected to a delicate and extensive process to reach the grade required for Uji matcha powder from farm to cup. Before the leaves are collected, the tea trees that fill Unji's landscape are carefully preserved from the sun for two to six weeks, reducing photosynthesis. The greenest and youngest tea leaves are harvested by hand, ensuring they are of the highest quality.

Less than a day after being harvested, the leaves are steamed for 15-20 seconds to stop oxidation and retain the aroma and green color. The leaves are deveined, air dried, and de-stemmed before the final step, where the leaves are ground into a bright green powder using a traditional stone mill.

The Health Benefits of Uji Matcha

Full of nutrients

Matcha is created from the whole leaves in powder form, implying that one can consume more nutrients than the body needs. Fiber, chlorophyll, additional antioxidants, and non-water-soluble vitamins and minerals are all present in matcha. Because of this, matcha is a more powerful source of nourishment than other types of green tea.

Enhances energy

While caffeine is present in matcha, it is in a healthier, more natural form than you'll find in most sodas or energy drinks. Additionally, unlike coffee, matcha doesn't result in an energy rise followed by a crash. You are also less prone to have anxiety or jitters. Instead, matcha offers relaxing energy that lasts longer and increases gradually before diminishing.

This is because L-Theanine, an amino acid that occurs naturally and balances caffeine content, makes you feel calm and concentrated. It also doesn't usually make you sleepy afterward. The special combination of caffeine, L-Theanine, and matcha antioxidants makes it a great natural pre-workout, everyday energy boost, and focus enhancer.

Promotes Weight Loss

For many people, losing weight has always been difficult. While there are many steps, you must take to lose weight, drinking Matcha powdered tea is at the top of the list. Additionally, it reduces the production of brand-new fat cells, avoiding weight gain in the future. This green tea variety's catechins also speed up the body's fat-burning rate during exercise. Because it is simple to prepare, can be naturally sweetened without adding calories, and doesn't interfere with ketosis, matcha is a fantastic complement to a fast or keto diet.

Uji Matcha Flavored Food and Drinks

1. Matcha Flavored Syrup

   

   With just the finest natural ingredients and no chemical additions, this wonderful matcha green tea syrup produces an amazing flavor that can be used in various drinks. Coffee, hot chocolate, cocktails, milkshakes, smoothies, and other drinks. Add this matcha syrup to nearly anything you choose, including ice cream, yogurt, and shaved ice.

2. Uji Matcha Ramune Soda

   

   With the excellent and unique flavor of matcha green tea-flavored ramune soda, you can cool off and revitalize. This ramune is neatly packaged in a unique Codd-neck bottle and has a flavor that mixes the sweetness of the typical lemon/lime flavors of most ramune with the characteristic cooling of high quality matcha green tea from Uji, Kyoto.

3. Ayataka Cafe: Matcha Latte

   

   This Matcha Latte from the Japanese green tea company Ayataka has a robust flavor. It is a very sweet, milky, and creamy blend of green tea lattes. With each sip, the rich high quality of uji cha flavor becomes more and more apparent. Pouring this over ice is the finest option.

4. Meiji Rich Matcha Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

   

   Meiji Rich Matcha Chocolate Sandwich Cookies is made up of two biscuits with chocolate flavoring sandwiched between two layers of quality matcha cream. The matcha sandwich cookie contains 37% dark chocolate and 51% rich Japanese matcha. Perfect cookies for munching or as a special present for someone.

5. Muji Instant Matcha Latte

   

   Homemade matcha lattes often take a lot of time to produce and require separate milk heating to the proper temperature. This Muji Instant Matcha Latte is a simple way to enjoy this well-known Japanese beverage at home. This Uji tea powder is mixed with rich milk and sugar to obtain the ideal flavor and scent balance without tasting too bitter.

6. Kyoto Uji Matcha Curry

   

   Kyoto Uji Matcha Curry is a prepared curry garnished with tiny meat bits, carrots, and potatoes; it tastes more like "matcha" than curry. The astringent taste of Uji green tea that follows the taste of the spices in your mouth when you take a bite provides a flavor unlike any other. This bitter yet spicy curry pairs well with chunks of meat and vegetables and piques the appetite.

7. Pocky: Sakura Matcha

   One of the most popular snacks in Japan is Pocky! This special edition flavor combines the flavors of cherry blossoms and matcha green tea to offer a delectable punch that only Japan can serve. It also comes with 9 packs of Pocky, far more than the normal package. This Pocky serves the idea of sipping matcha under the shade of sakura trees that are just starting to bloom.

8. Matcha Souffle Pancake Mix

   

   With this savory matcha souffle pancake mix, you can make fluffy matcha-flavored pancakes at home! Matcha may work wonders when added to pastries and baked products because of its peculiar vanilla-like flavor and earthy and bittersweet undertones. This souffle pancake has a beautiful depth, unique taste, and a delicate hint of savoriness in its sweet flavor because of the intricacy of matcha.

   

   These matcha foods and products would not be complete without a matcha tea ceremony set! The traditional Japanese tea ceremony, also known as "the method of tea" or "chanoyu," is a long-standing custom in Japan. It is a ritualistic way to make and consume green tea, usually in a traditional teahouse with tatami flooring. Practice making matcha tea in the traditional Japanese method in your own home with this Tokumasu Matcha Tea Ceremony Set, a 7-piece collection of tea utensils for the matcha tea ceremony experience!