From A Plant To Your Tea Cup: The Fascinating Matcha Production Process
The organic Japanese matcha begins its journey from camellia Sinensis. The same plant from which all other green teas are derived. But there is a unique matcha production process. Specialized techniques are used to cultivate, harvest, and process matcha. This innovative production technique gives matcha its wonderful taste, special powdered form, and high nutrient content. Want to know the earthy green matcha production process? Scroll down! Step-By-Step Guide For Producing Matcha Step 1 – Shade Grown The tea leaves are segregated from the plant and sent into an intense shading process. There, the tea harvesters cove the leaves with bamboo mats or rice straws. The tea harvesters must start this shading process roughly two to six weeks before the harvest time. This time frame will increase the chlorophyll content in the tea leaves. It also forces antioxidants to the top outermost part of the leaves. Step 3 –Hand Picking “ Hachijuhachiya ” (the beginning of the year in Japanese societ...