Matcha: It doesn't get any greener
Iced matcha is the drink of the summer, whether with milk or mango puree—and there's even a matching nail polish color. Interesting facts about the tea from Japan.
The line "Iced Matcha Latte, too late for Pilates" was the summer earworm of 2024, taken from the song "Bauch Beine Po" by Hamburg rapper Shirin David. And it's true: Especially on warm days, tea is everywhere, in the form of iced matcha latte, often combined with strawberry, blueberry, or mango puree. Fruity or lemony fresh flavors and creamy milk—especially in the form of plant-based drinks like oat and coconut milk — perfectly balance the slightly bitter aroma. Demand for the green powdered tea has increased significantly; according to the German Tea and Herbal Tea Association, about 240 percent more were imported from January to August 2024 than in the same period last year. Short-term supply bottlenecks have been reported repeatedly in the media. Some cafés now even specialize entirely in matcha, offering creations like "Dirty Matcha" (with an additional espresso shot) or "Coconut Matcha Cloud" (with coconut water and a topping of matcha foam). Starting in October, Munich coffee specialist Dallmayr will also be serving matcha latte in its new "Coffee Club" right next to the traditional delicatessen. The house's own organic matcha powder with its nutty aroma offers a taste.
The Culture Matcha is the Japanese word for ground, usually green tea. It has been known in China since the 7th century, and in the 12th century, Buddhist monks brought it to Japan, where it became a delicacy. Harvesting is laborious: The bushes are shaded beforehand with tarpaulins or nets to stimulate the production of the leaf pigment chlorophyll. This creates the intense green color – the greener the leaves, the more valuable the tea. The shading also develops the sweet aroma that characterizes high-quality matcha. The leaves are hand-picked early in the morning, steamed, and dried; this also helps preserve the vibrant green color. Matcha is considered a superfood; it is said to promote the formation of new cells and lower blood pressure, although conclusive studies on this are lacking. What is true: Matcha contains, among other things, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and the caffeine it contains boosts the metabolism. It's pleasant that it works more slowly, lasts longer, and isn't as jittery as coffee. However, elevated levels of aluminum and lead have been found in some matcha powders. According to the Bavarian Consumer Center, one should not drink more than three cups of one gram of matcha each per day.
In the handy book "Alles Matcha" (ZS-Verlag), you'll find matcha recipes for cocktails and smoothies, porridge and cheesecake, and even savory dishes like curry and pesto. The tea not only adds a sweet and tangy aroma, but also a vibrant color. Green fudge is another visual change. Line a rectangular baking or casserole dish (approx. 20 x 13 cm) with parchment paper. Roughly chop 360 g of white chocolate and melt it with 160 g of condensed milk over a bain-marie. Stir in ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Pour about a third of the mixture into a second bowl. Sift ½ teaspoon of matcha powder through a fine sieve into the remaining mixture and stir well. Pour the green mix into the dish and dollop the white mixture on top, then swirl a fork through it to create a marbled pattern. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Using the baking paper, lift the fudge out of the tin and cut into small cubes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
The quality of matcha powder can also be determined by its color. High-quality matcha is bright green, and the foam is also bright green – inferior teas, on the other hand, are often slightly brownish. Matcha that is brewed too hot will also lose its beautiful color; it should be drunk immediately and not left to stand for long. To preserve the aroma and color for as long as possible, the powder should be stored in an airtight, dark, and cool place. Cookies, macarons, and ice cream aren't the only things that will glow tea-green this summer. "Matcha" is also available as wall paint – and "Matcha Latte" is even available as nail polish from the Berlin beauty label Gitti.
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