We occasionally get the response, “No, since it’s so expensive,” when we ask someone if they drink matcha. Matcha is a Superfood with incredible health benefits, and most people are becoming aware of this fact. Still, there isn’t much information accessible to explain why matcha can be so expensive.
Matcha may be expensive at the top levels because of its complex and peculiar harvesting process, which necessitates meticulous manual handling & purity checking. Because the most excellent matcha is only produced in a particular region of Japan, there is also a limited supply of premium products (Uji).
To better comprehend how the distribution system may impact the cost of the matcha you buy, let’s look more closely at what makes the matcha cultivation process unique.
How Matcha Cafe in Marylebone offers a matcha subscription box of the finest matcha from Japan. The monthly subscription allows customers to explore a wide variety of different matchas and flavours.
AUTHENTIC PROCESS OF MATCHA
The Tencha bush’s leaves used to make matcha are produced to enhance both its flavour and nutritional value.
Tencha shrubs must spend three weeks in the shade before harvest, unlike other teas. Matcha growers build buildings above the Tencha plants to reduce the amount of bright sunlight accessible.
Tencha shrubs naturally require direct sunshine to thrive. Thus they will grow more quickly to get to the sunlight.
MANUAL HARVESTING
The tenderness and scent of higher-quality leaves are also improvements. To obtain the most excellent quality matcha, it is essential to manually pick these leaves before grinding them. However, manually choosing matcha naturally costs more than machine harvesting.
Matcha being sold for a low price online could not be hand-selected but instead a combination from many sources. This matcha will, by definition, be of inferior overall quality.
Better leaves also have more fragrance and softness. These leaves must first be hand-picked before being ground to produce matcha of the highest calibre. On the other hand, hand-collecting matcha organically is more expensive.
When you find cheap matcha being sold online, it could not have been carefully chosen and might instead be a combination from many sources. This matcha will naturally have a lesser overall quality.
STEAMING, GRADING AND REMOVING FROM STEM
The leaves are steamed after being collected for around 20 seconds to avoid corrosion and the degradation of the leaves’ renowned beautiful green colour and nutritional value.
The tea leaves are de-stemmed after drying. Harvesters can pick the best leaves to utilize and discard the leaves that won’t produce the distinctive matcha flavour thanks to this procedure, which also serves as a quality control phase. From here, the leaves are sorted according to many factors like colour, fragrance, and texture.
After adding water to determine the tea’s quality, the leaves are dried by air.
CRUSHING INTO POWDER
If matcha weren’t accessible in powder form, it wouldn’t be the matcha we know and love, which is a Japanese word for powdered tea. The highest quality matcha is stone-ground, but it is also more expensive and necessitates human touch.
A milling process can change the consistency of the powder and thereby lessen its nutritional value.
PRODUCTIVITY & DEMAND
The once-luxury beverage matcha has become more popular than ever in the West, which is now used often. It is even offered for sale by influential organizations like Starbucks!
Not to mention matcha’s accessibility, demand is always a factor in price rises. A few geographical regions—notably Uji, Japan—have the most remarkable matcha growth. However, there are items from China on the marketplace that are often of lesser quality, haven’t been radiation-tested, and have gone through subpar manufacturing procedures.
PRICING VS VALUE
The product quality that you are using will frequently determine how enjoyable your matcha experience is. Higher filler elements may be used in lower-grade matcha, including harmful ingredients or an uneven flavour.
Knowing what goes into your body is essential with any meal or drink. Higher-grade matcha offers the best matcha flavour & taste at a somewhat higher cost while also providing more robust nutritional benefits.
How Matcha Cafe is a home of matcha in the heart of Marylebone. We want to take our matcha love to the next level and offer you a monthly subscription box with curated matcha flavours and products. Our boxes will be themed and deliver 4-5 different items every month, from artisanal porcelain cups to exclusive teaware that you can find only in our box.
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