Matcha – the green gold from Japan is a popular coffee alternative for breakfast and a healthy pick-me-up. You can drink the green tea pure or use it to refine desserts. Due to its health-promoting and invigorating properties, Matcha has become an indispensable part of our breakfast tables – whether as a Matcha latte or in Matcha porridge with dates and banana from Verival. Matcha is easy to incorporate into your healthy breakfast.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about matcha and find delicious recipes for your breakfast with the healthy superfood.
Matcha porridge from VERIVAL – discover it now!
What is matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea characterised by the fact that its leaves are ground into a fine powder. The tea originally comes from Japan and it is now impossible to imagine any menu here without it. We know the stimulant as a hot drink, in smoothies, ice cream, cakes and more
For some, a matcha latte is a popular alternative to coffee. Although green tea also contains caffeine, it also has a relaxing effect. This is due to L-theanine, which is found exclusively in tea and has calming properties.
Matcha is said to have numerous health benefits. For example, it has a cell-protecting effect due to the many antioxidants it contains and is said to help prevent heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Matcha – all about Japan's green gold
How is matcha powder made?
Tencha, the plant from which matcha is made, grows in warm, humid areas of Japan. To allow the tencha to develop its typical matcha flavour, the tea plantation is covered with a net that is almost impenetrable to sunlight for two to four weeks before the harvest. To compensate for the lack of sunlight, the plant then begins to produce a particularly large amount of chlorophyll, which is later revealed in the sweet taste of the tea.
The tea leaves are harvested from April onwards and treated with hot steam in a tea factory in the first step. This way, the plant stays fresh and does not ferment. In the next step, the leaves are dried at 180 degrees. The so-called raw tea or ‘aracha’ is created.
Next, the leaves are sorted into different quality categories based on their colour, texture and taste, and the stems are removed. The remaining tea leaves are then ground into fine matcha powder. Special granite stone mills are used for this, which help to preserve the flavour and aroma of the tea.
Where is matcha grown?
As already mentioned, matcha is made from the Tencha tea plant. This plant needs a warm and humid climate to thrive. The most well-known growing areas in its country of origin, Japan, include Fukuoka, Kyoto, Aichi and Kagoshima.
The three types of matcha: ceremonial, cooking and organic matcha
The three different types of Matcha – Ceremonial, Cooking and Organic Matcha – differ mainly in how they are harvested. Ceremonial Matcha, for example, is harvested in May. Only the two top leaves and a bud are removed from the plant. The result is a sweet, aromatic Matcha. It is particularly good to drink, but it comes at a price. A 30-gram tin can cost up to €30.
In June and July, the more mature leaves are harvested, which later become Cooking Matcha. This variety is mainly used in the preparation of desserts such as ice cream, cakes and other desserts. This Matcha tastes more bitter and is therefore not suitable for drinking.
The taste of matcha is described as ‘umami’, which is one of the main tastes, along with sweet, sour, salty and bitter. However, the taste is only created by the fertiliser used to give the plant the important nutrients it does not get from growing without sunlight. Organic matcha does not use chemical fertilisers, which is why it lacks the famous umami taste.
How can you process Matcha?
You can drink Matcha as a tea or use it as an ingredient in various dishes. Instructions on how to prepare Matcha tea can be found below.
In addition to its classic use as a tea, Matcha is also ideal for smoothies. Simply add a little Matcha powder to the smoothie of your choice and give it a bright green colour. This way, the vitamin bomb also becomes an energiser in no time at all.
Matcha is also popular for baking – from classic sponge cakes to delicious cheesecake. This not only provides a special colour, but also an extraordinary taste.
The processing possibilities of Matcha are almost endless. However, the combination with sweet dishes and desserts is by far the most popular.
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What does matcha taste like?
As already mentioned, matcha tastes ‘umami’. Don't worry if you haven't heard of this flavour before. The word comes from Japanese and can be translated as savoury, spicy or piquant. Some also describe it as nutty.
In fact, the taste is difficult to describe. So if you want to know what umami tastes like, you can increase the amount of matcha tea you use to 3 grams instead of 1 gram. But make sure to use water that is no hotter than 80 degrees, otherwise the matcha will become bitter.
What does matcha do in the body?
Just like coffee, matcha is considered a stimulant. The caffeine it contains is responsible for this. Unlike coffee, however, matcha's effect is delayed and lasts longer. Also, you don't feel as jittery after matcha as you do after coffee. This is due to L-theanine, an amino acid contained in matcha that has a relaxing and stress-reducing effect. This makes matcha a gentler stimulant than coffee.
Matcha is also said to improve concentration, memory and mood.
In sports, matcha is often used to increase endurance and performance and to stimulate the metabolism. It is also said to help against muscle soreness.
How healthy is matcha?
The health benefits of matcha range from its protective effect on the cardiovascular system and the reduction of the risk of bowel cancer to its prevention of Alzheimer's disease. This is due to the many antioxidants contained in the green powder. They protect our cells from free radicals and have a rejuvenating effect.
Since the tea leaves are ground and added to the tea whole, all of the vitamins and minerals are retained, unlike with classic green tea. The most important micronutrients include vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, C and K, as well as calcium and potassium.
How to recognise high-quality matcha
You can recognise the quality of matcha by its colour, smell, texture and taste. The following table provides you with a few pointers to help you distinguish good from bad matcha:
| Good Matcha | Bad Matcha | |
| Color | bright green | yellowish, brownish |
| Odor | floral, fruity, nutty | chemical, uninteresting |
| Texture | creamy, soft, full | dusty, sandy, watery |
| Taste | gently sweetish | bitter, sour |
Matcha vs. coffee – what are the differences?
We have already briefly touched on the similarities and differences between matcha and coffee, and we mentioned that both contain caffeine and are therefore popular remedies for fatigue.
While the caffeine in coffee takes effect very quickly and strongly, the effect of matcha is slower and gentler. Coffee only makes you feel very alert for a short time. However, the effect quickly wears off. An unpleasant side effect of coffee is that some people feel nervous and jittery.
Not only does matcha take effect more slowly and less intensely than coffee, but the effect also lasts longer. This is because matcha only takes effect in the intestines, while coffee already works in the stomach.
Another difference is that some coffee drinkers complain of stomach problems. Due to its high acid content, coffee can upset the stomach. By contrast, matcha is well tolerated by most people. It is even said to have an antibacterial effect.
Daily allowance of matcha – how much matcha you can consume per day
According to the European Food Safety Authority, adults should not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine throughout the day. One cup of matcha with 1 gram of the green powder contains about 35 mg of caffeine. It is recommended not to consume more than five cups of matcha tea per day. The general recommendation is not to consume more than 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight per day.
Matcha preparation – what you need to know
The most popular way to prepare matcha is as a tea. We have a guide for you on how to make the perfect matcha tea:
- Boil fresh water (preferably soft water)
- Let the water cool to about 80°C
- Put about 1 gram of matcha (equivalent to ½ teaspoon) in a matcha bowl
- Pour about 80 ml of hot water over the powder
- Whisk the tea with a bamboo whisk until frothy (takes about 15 seconds)
- As soon as the surface is frothy, you can add more water as you like. The less water you use, the more intense the tea will taste.
Note: The water should never be hotter than 80°C, otherwise the matcha will taste bitter.
Alternatively, you can use frothed vegetable drink or milk instead of the additional water in step 6 to make a creamy Matcha Latte.
3 recipe ideas with Matcha for breakfast
Due to its properties as a stimulant and its sweet taste, Matcha is an absolute breakfast hero. We have put together three recipe ideas for a healthy breakfast for you:
Matcha latte with oat drink
To make a classic matcha latte with oat drink, prepare matcha tea as described in our instructions above. As soon as the surface of the tea is frothy, add about twice the amount of warm, frothed oat drink. Use less oat milk for a more intense matcha flavour. If you want to tone down the intensity, add a little more plant-based milk. If you are drinking matcha for breakfast for the first time, it's better to start with a milder version. Alternatively, you can also use milk or other milk alternatives.
Matcha porridge for breakfast
Matcha and porridge are an unbeatable combination. The warm oatmeal provides your body with all the important nutrients it needs at breakfast time. With matcha as a supplement, you can absorb the ingredients of both products even better. What's more, a green matcha breakfast provides a gentle energy kick.
Our basic oats recipe is a good starting point for a delicious matcha porridge. Add about 1 gram of matcha powder and stir it well into your porridge. Alternatively, you can prepare matcha tea as instructed and cook the oats in the green liquid.
A quicker and absolutely delicious alternative to homemade matcha porridge is the new Matcha Porridge Date-Banana from Verival. It takes only 3 minutes to prepare and in no time at all you have a wholesome breakfast that will give you a full day of energy.
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Overnight oats with matcha for breakfast
Just like porridge, you can also enhance overnight oats – the quick breakfast you prepare overnight – with matcha. If you make your breakfast the night before, add a small amount of matcha powder (about 1 gram) to the basic overnight oats recipe and stir all the ingredients well.
Store the overnight oats in the fridge overnight and enjoy your breakfast the next morning, guaranteed to wake you up.
Instead of matcha powder mixed into your breakfast, you can also use the Matcha Porridge Date-Banana from Verival. Mix about 50 grams of Matcha Porridge with 120 ml of liquid of your choice (e.g. vegetable drink, milk or water) and stir well before leaving it in the fridge overnight.
Frequently asked questions
How do you prepare porridge with matcha?
To prepare porridge with matcha, you need 60 grams of oats, 250 ml of water, milk or plant-based drink and 1 gram of matcha powder. Mix all the ingredients together and cook the porridge for three to five minutes.
What are the benefits of porridge with matcha?
The combination of matcha and porridge is particularly harmonious. The nutrients from the porridge can be better absorbed by the valuable ingredients of matcha. In addition, matcha is considered a gentle stimulant. This makes it the ideal addition to your breakfast.
How do you prepare overnight oats with matcha?
Take about 4 tablespoons of oats, 80 ml of liquid (e.g. milk, plant-based drink or water) and 1 gram of matcha and mix all the ingredients in a sealable jar. Leave the mixture in the fridge overnight and refine the finished overnight oats the next morning with fresh toppings of your choice.
What effect does matcha porridge have on the body?
Porridge has a warming effect and provides important nutrients such as proteins, long-chain carbohydrates, fibre and vitamins. Matcha acts as a gentle stimulant and contains cell-protecting antioxidants.
Is matcha porridge good for the gut?
Due to its fibre content, porridge stimulates intestinal activity and promotes intestinal health. Matcha is much easier on the digestion than coffee and is therefore a healthy alternative.
Can you lose weight with matcha?
Matcha is said to boost the metabolism and fat burning. There is no miracle cure for losing weight, but matcha can help.
Is matcha healthy every day?
You can consume matcha every day without concern. However, you should not exceed the maximum recommended amount of 400 mg of caffeine per day. It should not be more than 5 cups of matcha.
