FAQ’s
Please take a look at our most frequently asked questions about our matcha green tea products. If you can’t find the answer you are looking for we will be happy to assist, please contact us
What is matcha tea?
Matcha green tea originates from Japan. It is made by taking tea leaves which are shade grown to increase their nutritional content. The tea leaves are then stone ground into a bright green powder. The green powder is then whisked with hot water to make a matcha tea and was often enjoyed as part of a tea ceremony or meditation. Today this green superfood has many uses including; baking, cooking, ice cream, smoothies and beauty products.
What does matcha taste like?
The taste profile of matcha is similar to strong green tea. Matcha has a complex flavour and is usually sweeter than standard green teas. The highest grades of matcha powder have less bitterness than some of the lower end culinary matcha. Because matcha is so versatile it is used in a wide range of mixed drinks and food recipes, so the flavour can be adjusted depending on how it’s used.
How much matcha powder per cup?
The dosage of matcha would usually range from 1-2 teaspoons per cup depending on your personal preference. Matcha drinkers sometimes prefer a thinner texture and therefore put less matcha powder in the cup. Those who prefer thicker, full-bodied matcha would increase the powder, whisking more thoroughly to give a rich and creamy texture.
What is the correct temperature to make matcha?
Matcha powder is so versatile it has a variety of serving options. Matcha is used for baking, cooking, making ice creams and smoothies – the temperature widely varies. However, to drink a hot cup of matcha tea the optimum temperature to serve is approximately 75 degrees, which is just off boiling (100 degrees). The easiest way to do this is to stop your kettle before it boils, this will ensure you maximise the nutrient content of your beverage.
What time of the day should I drink matcha?
This can really be down to personal preference, although a good time to drink green tea is anytime you need an energy boost or increased focus. Morning time is beneficial to get a good start to your day, it could be a good time to take matcha as a smoothie or even in porridge or cereal. After lunch a matcha tea is good for avoiding the mid-afternoon slump and to keep up your concentration. Because matcha still contains caffeine, it is not advisable to drink Matcha just before bed.
How should I store my matcha?
We use air sealed containers or packets, this protects the product’s nutrients and maintains the freshness. Once exposed to air matcha green tea begins to lose its nutrients if not stored correctly. We recommend the product is stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Please ensure the packet or tin is sealed tightly after each use. For best results, consume within three weeks after opening.
How long is the shelf life of matcha?
Our best before date is located on all of our tea products and is as per UK food service guidelines. For matcha our Japanese tea farm package and ship the products as soon as they have been picked and prepped from the farm. This maximises the freshness, quality and the shelf life (matcha arrives in the UK with a minimum of 18 months life). We import our teas every 3 months to give consistency in the shelf life of our products.
How much caffeine is in Matcha Dao’s matcha tea?
A matcha hit provides 34mg of caffeine per 1g of matcha powder. This is compared to around 80mg for a cup of coffee. However, the effect of matcha is more energising and longer lasting, this is thanks to the amino acid; L-theanine which slows down the release of the caffeine into the body. It also creates a calming and relaxing effect and does not provide some of the side effects such as migraines or the jitters that are associated with drinking coffee.
Can matcha help me quit coffee?
Matcha gives an energy release of up to 6 times longer than coffee or other caffeine based drinks, so you will feel energised and fresh. The effect of L-theanine is calming and relaxing, it helps improve focus and reduce stress. This is the opposite to some of the side effects of coffee; which could cause palpitations and migraines. Coffee is a different flavour to matcha, so quitting coffee altogether is down to you, although we certainly believe you can reduce your coffee intake if you start drinking matcha daily.
Is your matcha quality and safety tested?
All of our matcha teas are graded and quality tested at source in our Japanese tea farm. To give further assurances all of our matcha products are certified organic and regulated by the Soil Association in UK and meet EU, USDA and JAS standards. We can also confirm that our products are regularly tested at one of Europe’s largest product safety testing centres.
What is the healthiest way to drink matcha?
We believe the healthiest way is to drink organic matcha in its original form, therefore only adding hot water. There are endless ways of making your matcha so you should enjoy it how you like it. A popular way to enjoy is by adding some honey or a sweetener, this helps if your matcha is on the bitter side of the taste profile. Some consumers enjoy adding a bit of lemon or lime juice, which is known to help release even more of the nutritional benefits of the tea.
Does matcha tea help weight loss?
The short answer is yes, matcha can support weight loss. There a so many matcha tea health benefits you could write a book on the subject. The reason why this green tea is good for weight loss is because it contains a compound called EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate). This has been proven to boost your metabolism and it becomes a fat blocker by preventing the growth of fat cells.
Is matcha tea addictive?
There is no evidence to suggest that drinking matcha itself will cause an addiction. However, like anything in life moderation is key and it should be consumed with other foods as part of a balanced diet. We would recommend limiting your matcha to 5 cups per day, this will be more than enough to keep you energised and productive throughout your day.
Can I drink matcha whilst pregnant?
Matcha does contain caffeine, during pregnancy it is often advised to limit caffeine intake. One serving of our matcha green tea contains 34mg of caffeine and by comparison a regular cup of coffee contains around 80mg. It is still possible to enjoy a cup of matcha whilst you are pregnant, but the quantity will depend on your caffeine consumption from other food and drink products. If you have any concerns please consult a medical or nutritional professional.
Is matcha good for your skin?
Matcha is well known by cosmetic professionals as an excellent ingredient for skin. Many beauty products containing matcha green tea are gaining strong industry recognition. Because matcha is anti-bacterial and contains high levels of EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) it is helpful in reducing inflammation and in smoothing skin tone. Matcha is also antioxidant rich; this is known to reduce acne and enhance skin elasticity.
Why are Matcha Dao products more expensive than others on the market?
All of our matcha teas are certified organic and imported directly from a family run farm in Japan, this farm has been producing matcha throughout generations and is utilising some of the most advanced farming techniques.
Only the best tea leaves are carefully handpicked and the location of our farm is very unique; it has some astonishing environmental benefits. These factors result in a richer, smoother matcha flavour as well as an increased amount of amino acids and vitamin richness.
We offer a range of matcha quality grades at different price points, for example cooking matcha is a lot cheaper than ceremonial matcha which is more premium. The one thing you need to be careful of when choosing your matcha supplier is the quality, there is a large number of ceremonial matcha on the market which is actually cooking matcha sold at a higher price point.
Who can order matcha from the wholesale section?
Our wholesale matcha is available to anyone who wishes to order large quantities of bulk matcha at a discounted price. Most of our matcha comes in foil pouches of 30g to maximise the freshness once opened, this is particularly important for premium matcha. Some of our cheaper cooking grade matcha comes in 50g because it is usually used in larger quantities. When you select your bulk weight option of product, this will be made up of multiple 30g / 50g packets of matcha. If you require a different packing method or a higher quantity of matcha than listed, please contact us to discuss availability and price.
