Tea Blog with Tea Recipes, Tea Facts

All About Your Matcha Whisk

August 15, 2019

One answer to great matcha is an authentic bamboo matcha whisk also known as a Chasen. This multi-prong whisk is used hand in hand with a ceremonial matcha bowl to enhance the matcha drinking experience, thus creating a smooth and frothy matcha tea drink. While we love our Matcha Shaker, if you’re looking to establish an authentic routine with matcha, a ceremonial matcha bowl, and whisk is the way to go.

Using a Matcha Whisk Holder

It is important to note that the care and storage of your matcha whisk are extremely important. When using a whisk, we believe that it is imperative to have a matcha whisk holder to keep the shape of your whisk while not in use. The tines of your whisk should be pointed down when placed on the whisk holder. This helps to keep the whisk from enclosing on itself.

Hand Washing

After using your whisk, gently hand wash the tines under hot water removing all matcha remnants, pat dry, and immediately place on your whisk holder. Placing in the dishwasher is never required for your whisk and we recommend only sticking to handwashing!

Prepare Matcha With a Whisk

Below are our top tips for whisking the best cup of matcha:

Preheat the tea bowl with boiling water. Moisten the chasen (tea whisk) and discard hot water.
Use 1 Matchastick and add approximately two ounces of hot water (not boiling!) to make a concentrate.
Hold the bowl firmly with one hand and quickly whisk with the chasen straight forward and back to form frothy bubbles. Similar to an M or W shape.
Whisk the matcha well and break up any small lumps with the tip of your whisk. This assures the most optimal flavor and a smooth and creamy texture.
Lightly whisk the top of the foam to break up large bubbles. Whisk once more and remove the whisk from the middle to form a peak in the middle of the foam.
Pour your matcha concentrate over ice and water or your favorite milk or milk alternative. Or, add to hot water or hot milk for a hot beverage.

Want a visual? Check this video out!

Six Benefits of Cold Brew Tea

June 26, 2019

Whether brewed hot or cold, the benefits of tea have many switching over to this healthier beverage every year, but cold brew tea offers even more benefits. If you haven’t tried cold brew tea, beyond iced tea, the tea masters at Art of Tea recommend trying the cold brew steeping method to enjoy its benefits.

It’s Easy

It doesn’t get much easier than dropping loose leaf tea or tea pouches into a pitcher or jar of cold water and letting it steep in the refrigerator. It’s really that simple. The only thing you need to know is how long to let the tea steep. Here is a guide that provides suggested times for cold brewing based on the type of tea you want to cold brew:

Black tea – 8 to 12 hours
Green and White tea – 6 to 8 hours
Oolong tea – 8 to 10 hours
Pu-erh tea – 10 to 12 hours
Herbal tea – 12 to 14 hours

Learn how to cold brew tea!

Taste

When you brew iced tea using the traditional hot-to-cold method, the heat changes the chemical structure of the leaves allowing tannins to infuse the tea, which can result in a bitter or astringent taste.

Cold brew tea is a lot smoother because the flavor is slowly extracted over several hours. People that try cold brew tea say that it brings out flavors that they had never tasted before when they brewed it with hot water. In addition to a smoother flavor, fewer tannins may also help you absorb more iron from food.

Reduced Caffeine

If you are trying to reduce your caffeine intake, the cold brew method is for you! Cold brew tea contains much less caffeine than hot tea while maintaining higher amounts of vitamin C.

Sugar-free

If you are trying to avoid sugar and calories, cold brew tea is a better option. The cold brew method produces a sweeter flavor, so it doesn’t require the addition of sweeteners.

Keeps You Hydrated

Cold brew tea is a great way to keep hydrated, especially on hot summer days. You can actually drink it as a replacement for cold water without having to worry about negative effects.

Health Benefits

There have been many reports on the health benefits of tea, and cold brew tea is no exception. While we can’t make any claims, the data shows that Vitamin C is more active in cold brew tea and may help boost your immune system. It also contains Vitamin D which is good for strengthening bones, and vitamin B complex may help increase your metabolism. And, its antioxidants help protect you from the damage of pollution.

Some of the most significant findings on the health benefits of tea are its effect on heart disease and stroke. The New York Times reported on a study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology that stated that those who drink at least three cups of tea a day have a 21% lower risk of stroke than those who only consumed one cup of tea per day. And a more recent study conducted by the same group found that drinking an additional three cups of tea per day was associated with reducing coronary heart disease by 27%.

Herbal tea such as chamomile has been said to help sooth the digestive system for those with irritable bowel syndrome, while green tea may reduce the risk of some cancers. Drinking organic tea removes the potentially harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Explore the Benefits of Tea

The Art of Tea has many different teas so that you can enjoy their many benefits. We even have a Wellness Collection with teas for soothing, sleeping and cleansing.

What is the Difference Between Matcha and Green Tea

June 19, 2019

SHOP ART OF TEA

Green tea and matcha tea are similar in that they come from the same Camellia Sinensis plant, are 1,000-year-old superfoods, and their nutritional profiles are said to provide many health benefits. While they both are green teas, their flavor, texture, color and preparation methods are different.

Experience the Difference Between Matcha and Green Tea

The experts at Art of Tea share the differences between Matcha and green tea and what makes these two green teas distinctive.

Processing

Green tea and matcha tea are cultivated differently. Green tea is cultivated under the sun, while matcha tea is shade-grown in the three weeks before it is harvested. Green tea grows dull green with a brownish tone, and matcha tea grows a vibrant green color. The shade increases the chlorophyll levels in the leaves that turn matcha its bright color.

During harvesting, green tea is cut by a machine and sent directly to a processing plant where it is steamed to stop fermentation. The leaves are then blown-dried by a whirling machine. Matcha tea leaves are harvested by hand selecting the best green tea leaves from the plant. The stems and veins are removed, and the leaves are stone ground into matcha powder.

Taste

The flavor of green tea is light and fresh with grassy or earthy undertones, and depending on how it is prepared, it can sometimes taste a bit bitter. Cold brew green tea is much smoother because the flavor is slowly extracted over several hours. Matcha tea is a soft powder that has a richer, sweeter flavor and a frothy texture.

Preparation

Both teas can be prepared hot or cold. Matcha is whisked into the hot water or shaken with our Matcha Shaker when preparing iced Matcha whereas green tea leaves are steeped in hot water. Green tea is best prepared at a mild water temperature of 180°-185° F, with a steep time of about 3 minutes. Water that is too hot may result in the release of tannins from the leaves, causing the tea to become astringent. Higher quality green teas can be re-steeped 2-3 times before the flavor begins to degrade. It is suggested that you use about 1 tsp per 8oz cup for optimum results.

Nutrition

Since matcha tea is made with the entire leaf ground into a powder, then mixed with water, it retains all of its nutrients. With green tea, the leaves are steeped in hot water, and then the loose tea or tea bags are discarded, which takes some of the nutrients with it. Following is a comparison of nutrients for matcha vs. green tea:

Antioxidants

Catechins are powerful antioxidants that may increase metabolism, endurance, and reduces free radicals and toxins, making you less susceptible to illness.

Matcha – 134 milligrams (depending on the amount of Matcha used)

Green tea – 63 milligrams (depending on the amount of Green Tea used)

Tannins

Also known as polyphenols, tannins are micronutrients that come from plants and are found in teas and wine.

Matcha – 99 milligrams (depending on the amount of Matcha used)

Green tea – 7 milligrams (depending on the amount of Green Tea used)

Amino Acids

L-Theanine is an amino acid that offers the energy boost of caffeine without the caffeine crash. This amino acid is said to improve learning, memory, and creativity.

Matcha – 45 milligrams (depending on the amount of Matcha used)

Green tea – 3 milligrams (depending on the amount of Green Tea used)

Caffeine

One cup of Matcha has a much higher percentage of caffeine than one cup of green tea. Generally, an 8oz cup of green tea yields about 15-48mg of caffeine per serving. This measurement varies depending on how long the tea is steeped. The longer the steep time, the higher the caffeine content will be. The caffeine content will lessen each time tea is re-steeped.

Matcha – approximately 280 milligrams (depending on the amount of Matcha used)

Green Tea – approximately 35 milligrams (depending on the amount of Green Tea used and how long the tea is steeped)

Find the Right Tea for You

Art of Tea offers several varieties of both matcha and green tea. Give each one a try to see which one is right for you, or keep both on hand so you can choose the right tea based on your mood. A great way to do this is to join our tea club.