We all know that matcha is trending at the moment, so much so that you can find just about everything matcha-flavoured. It's exciting for us that more and more people are falling in love with this green goodness powder! After all, we've loved it for decades. It makes us so happy that the secret of its superiority is out.
It's commonly advertised as healthy; however, not all matcha is created equal, and we think it's important that you know how to tell the difference between a matcha that is good for you and one that is disguising itself as healthy.
Follow these tips to ensure your matcha is as good as it can be.
Look at the colour
Healthy matcha is vibrant in colour. It's typically considered bright green, and some may even call it electric. This is due to its high chlorophyll and antioxidant contents, which are powerhouses for the body.
If your matcha is dull or yellowish, or even closer to brown, this is typically due to oxidation, the use of older leaves or poor storage, all of which degrade chlorophyll content. This can also hint at a more bitter taste. If your matcha is more yellow but still tastes sweet, it can also indicate that excessive sugars or sweeteners have been used.
Feel your matcha
Good quality matcha is fine and silky. It shouldn't be coarse or sandy. It should feel like baby powder and almost melt into your skin if rubbed in. This texture indicates a good milling process, the use of younger matcha leaves (which are packed with more antioxidants), better shade during preparation and preparation in line with strict Japanese standards.
On the inverse, while sandy matcha is not 'unhealthy', it indicates a lower nutritional value, meaning you're not getting all of the goodness that a drink of matcha would typically promise you.
While you can't necessarily feel matcha before you purchase it, try comparing brands when you do. This will help you make the most informed choice moving forward.
Smell your matcha
If someone tells you that they don't like matcha because it tastes like grass, they're not necessarily making it up. But we do encourage them to try again! Each blend is different, and we bet they'll love ours!
Where we're going with this is that matcha should smell grassy, sweet and fresh when it is at its most healthy. This is because the grassy smell indicates a good quantity of specific chemical compounds, including chlorophyll and L-theanine, which are developed through meticulous cultivating processes. This smell also suggests that your matcha hasn't gone stale, which can damage its nutritional value. But be careful. The 'sweet' smell shouldn't be sugary. It's more of a sweet hay smell or a creamy smell.
If your matcha smells sweet or sugary, this is usually an indication of the added sugar qualities you will find inside your matcha to mask its naturally grassy taste. This sugar, while it can make matcha more 'likable' to the masses, negates many of the nutritional qualities of the product. It almost makes your matcha null and void!
Taste you matcha
This is one of the hardest ones, because taste can't be an indicator alone. Healthy matcha should have a naturally sweet and smooth taste. It should not be harsh or bitter. And yes, while it may taste grassy to some, it should not be spitworthy. These are indicators of a healthy matcha that has as many good qualities as possible.
Where it becomes tricky, however, is that taste is easy to manipulate. A little bit of sugar or the right combination of ingredients (sometimes those that can be harmful) can make it hard to tell what is healthy and what is, instead, sugar-laden (without reading the label). In fact, we challenge you to find a Matcha Latte that is as simple as ours, which only includes organic matcha, coconut milk powder and green leaf stevia! Now that's simple.
Many others, instead, use added sugars, sweeteners, and even unhealthy fillers and bulking agents. If you can't see the ingredients before you buy, be wary! Many companies do strive to do the right thing. But others will cut corners to deliver an unhealthy beverage in disguise.
Our Nutritional Matcha Latte is made for your well-being
At Jomeis Fine Foods, we care about your health and well-being. That's why every product we make is for you and your health. Our Nutritional Matcha Latte is no exception. We use the cleanest ingredients and the best manufacturing to deliver you a latte that is packed with anti-inflammatory, detoxing goodness. Ready to try it for yourself? Shop it here.
