Matcha Shot Recipe | Postcards From Hawaii (2024)

FAQs

What do you need to make your own matcha? ›

Use matcha at home

As such, you only need about ½ teaspoon of powdered tea (two scoops from the chashaku) in order to make a single serving. Sift your matcha into a small bowl to remove any clumps. Then add two ounces of water at 176°F.

Introducing the matcha shot

It is one of the newer ways to drink matcha that emerged as people tried to find new methods outside of the traditional usucha and koicha. It makes for a convenient matcha energy drink. Interestingly, the ratio of water to matcha used in the matcha shot is about the same as usucha.

Here's the answer: Starbucks Matcha is technically not even Matcha, but rather just plain sugar! That's because it's a powdered mix of at least 51% pure added sugar, with some ground green tea added into it. To be considered true Matcha, there should be no added sugar, let alone more than half.

◾️If you do love drinking your Matcha in a latte style, pick a plant based milk (I'm using Almond Milk here) that won't affect the absorbtion of all those amazing antioxidants. ◾️Better still, drink Matcha straight up with just hot or cold water.

If you're using pure matcha, using water that's too hot will make it bitter, which is true of pretty much all green teas. You definitely don't want to use boiling water! I'd recommend starting with water 75–85 degrees Celsius (about 165–185 Fahrenheit).

Matcha is rich in caffeine and amino acids. Like green tea, matcha is high in antioxidants, including catechins, which may help prevent cell damage and lower your risk of certain diseases. Some studies also suggest that the catechins and caffeine found in matcha may have a mild benefit in weight loss and management.

Avoid drinking Matcha on an empty stomach. It can lead to stomach upset. Don't drink Matcha tea at the same time as your main meals, as it can reduce the absorption of vitamin B1 in your body, which lead to a condition named Beriberi. After 5pm in the evening, due to the caffeine.

While you can drink matcha daily, it is high in caffeine and may contain traces of pesticides and other chemicals. The beneficial compounds it contains, such as catechins, may be harmful in high quantities. It's best to consume matcha in moderation, for instance, 1–2 cups of tea per day or up to 2 teaspoons of matcha.

People who are sensitive to caffeine may also want to pass on matcha because it could cause anxiety and disrupt sleep. In general, Dr. Hu said, matcha can be a healthy addition to your diet, as long as you're mindful of how much sugar and other unhealthful ingredients you're consuming along with it.

Why is matcha so expensive? ›

Today, the main production site for high quality matcha powder is Japan. The fertile soil, mild climate, and the slight elevation of the locations all contribute to quality matcha production. Already, it is clear why costs might be high if the overall available land mass for growing and preparing matcha is limited.

Place 2 Chashaku or 1 teaspoon of Matcha (2g) into the Chawan bowl. Pour 70ml (2.46fl oz) of hot water into the Chawan. The water temperature should be 176F (80C).

Matcha is essentially processed green tea leaves that have been stone-ground into a delicate powder, therefore blending it would probably not be enough for it to be the correct fineness of matcha. You'd have to find a way to finely press it into powder, maybe a mortar and pestle?

Next, you need a base, which can be almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk or perhaps cow's milk. These two ingredients combined create a standard matcha latte. The process is simple. It involves making a shot of Matcha tea.