The Eco-Friendly Way of Making Matcha Green Tea at Home
There are varieties of tea available in different parts of the world each having some special characteristics and quality. The methods of preparation also vary from one region to another. Macha green tea is a specially powdered dried tea leaf mostly used in Japan. It is rich in chlorophyll content which contributes to its vibrant green color. It is a traditional drink for Japanese ceremonies. It has many health benefits which makes it quite popular in other countries. Matcha tea is rich in antioxidants that help reduce blood pressure, control heart problems, and improve metabolism. In other forms of tea preparation, the tea leaves are boiled with water and filtered. In the case of matcha tea, the powdered tea is consumed by mixing with hot water or milk so the entire leaf is used. Naturally, the amount of antioxidants and other healthy ingredients received through matcha green tea is much more than other forms of tea or coffee.
How to Prepare Matcha Green Tea?
The ingredients required for making matcha green tea are as follows:
- ¼ teaspoon matcha tea powder
- 2 ounces of hot water
- 6 ounces of additional hot water or steamed milk of any type of your choice
- Sweetening agents as required
There are certain steps for the preparation of matcha tea which are mentioned below:
Step-1: Take match powder into a bowl or mug. Matcha lumps very easily in contact with water so be careful to sift it before adding water.
Step 2: Add a small amount of hot water to the tea powder and whisk. The whisking pattern should be sidewise-in a zigzag pattern or back and forth (not circular whisking) to allow even dispersal of tea powder in the water and forming a froth.
Step-3: Pour more hot water or milk and stir to form a mixture
Step-4: Add a few drops of honey or maple syrup to sweeten the tea if you find the taste bitter.
Step-5: The match tea is ready to drink.
Important Eco-friendly Tips
Matcha tea undoubtedly has some unique qualities in terms of taste and health benefits. We need to focus on how we can utilize the positive aspects of this product towards contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Here are some tips for using the matcha green tea product in an eco-friendly way.
Related: 5 Easy Immunity Boosting Matcha Green Tea Recipes You Need in Your Life Right Now!
1. Choose eco-friendly matcha green tea brands
The tea plant cultivation for match green tea is a sustainable and environment-friendly process. Matcha green tea plants can live for many years contributing to the environment with its oxygen supply due to the high chlorophyll content that is used in photosynthesis. It is more eco-friendly as compared to other crops and most of the match brands are produced using crop rotation, eco-friendly processing, and sustainable agricultural practices. The matcha tea plants require less amount of water and controlled use of pesticides to make them more earth-friendly. The matcha tea in powdered form is consumed totally without leaving any waste for disposal.
2. Avoid matcha tea brands packed in plastics
As customers, we can support the companies which are adopting environment-friendly and sustainable business practices. Always look for an eco-friendly mode of packaging while buying matcha tea and encourage brands that use packaging of products without the use of single-use plastic materials. The preparation of matcha tea doesn’t involve any use of tea bags which is an added advantage.
3. Avoid plastic utensils while making green tea
It’s always preferable to use metal, glass, or wood containers to make matcha green tea instead of plastic containers. It reduces the harmful effect of plastic in contact with hot water or milk and enriches the taste of green tea. People all over the world are gradually discarding plastic in their kitchen appliances, utensils, and cutleries to reduce the negative impact of plastic pollution in the long run.
4. Buy organic green tea products
As consumers have become more health and hygiene conscious, the demand for organic and eco-friendly products has also increased. People are now more focused on their well-being while consuming food and drinks. An organic tea brand with certified fair trade and agricultural practices always remains at the top of the priority list for consumers. Green tea provides numerous health benefits and it is advisable to go for the best brands in this category that provides organic and eco-friendly benefits.
Related: A Quick Guide to Making A Zero Waste Matcha Latte.
Final Thoughts
Matcha green tea gives a different experience due to its form, preparation methods, and flavors. This organic, chlorophyll-rich tea is cultivated traditionally and sustained over years. It is made by grinding whole green tea leaves into a fine powder that you can whisk into warm water to prepare a beverage that is more satisfying than coffee and other tea. It is quite popular among consumers who are aware of its health benefits and eco-friendly mode of production.
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