🍵 Japanese Tea Guide  ·  Types · Regions · Guides

Matcha (抹茶)

Shade-grown tencha leaves, stone-milled to a fine powder and whisked whole into water.

Water temperature75-80 (for whisking) °C
SteepingWhisk 20-30 sec
Caffeine (relative)Higher per bowl
Growing / makingShaded about 3-4 weeks
TasteRich, savoury and creamy in texture

About Matcha

Unlike infused teas, the whole leaf is consumed as powder. Made from tencha — shaded leaves that are steamed and dried without rolling. Grades are not a regulated term in the United States or Japan; see the grades guide.

Brewing point

Use water at 75-80 (for whisking) °C and steep for Whisk 20-30 sec. Japanese green teas reward a second infusion; shorten the second steep.

Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) crop statistics; Ministry of Finance trade statistics; Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); prefectural and municipal official information. Checked 5 November 2026.

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