Matcha Masterclass E-Book [PDF]

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MEET

MATCHA Everything you need to know about this Japanese green tea

Snigdha Manchanda India's First Certified Tea Sommelier Founder & CEO,

Bonus Recipes included!

Copyright c 2021 Snigdha Manchanda All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Published By Tea Trunk 254, Sawlem, Pilerne, Bardez, Goa 403521 - INDIA www.teatrunk.com

CONTENTS

What is Matcha? What is the difference between Matcha and Green Tea powder? How to identify good quality Matcha? Ceremonial Grade Matcha v/s Culinary Grade Matcha Traditional Matcha Utensils 4 simple steps to preparing a perfect cup of matcha Health Benefits of Matcha What is the best time to drink Matcha Green Tea?

01 02 02 03 05 05 06 08

Matcha Latte Recipe

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Iced Matcha Recipe

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Matcha Mug Cake

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Matcha Panna Cotta

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About the Author

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What is Matcha? Matcha is the purest form of Green Tea. It is known to have upto ten times the health benefits. Largely grown and produced in Japan, green tea leaves are specially cultivated under shade, hand-picked and finely ground to prepare this nutrient-rich powder. Matcha is a superfood which is known to be high in antioxidants, especially catechins. It also contains L-Theanine, an amino acid known to create calmness without drowsiness; combined with caffeine, it amounts to a considerable level of alertness without a case of the jitters. Unlike traditional green tea, from which leaves are discarded after steeping, matcha tea is fully consumed in a suspension form, as the powder is blended with the water.

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What is the difference between Matcha and Green Tea powder? Both matcha and green tea are derived from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis. However, while normal green tea leaves are obtained from any part of the bush and are kept in the sun for long periods of time, Matcha is meticulously grown under shade, is exposed systematically and only the youngest leaves are picked. This increases the chlorophyll and amino acids in the leaves which multiplies the health benefits exponentially.

How to identify good quality Matcha?

Observe the colour: Good quality Matcha has a vibrant green color. If your Matcha is pale green or brownish green then it is stale and old. Feel the texture: High grade matcha has a smooth texture like cornstarch. If your Matcha is grainy it is of poor grade. Taste the Matcha: Authentic Matcha has grassy, vegetal taste notes with a lingering sweet aftertaste. If your Matcha has a bitter, salty or fishy taste, it is of low quality.

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Ceremonial Grade Matcha v/s Culinary Grade Matcha There are several grades of Matcha, however it is mainly categorized as Ceremonial Grade and Culinary Grade Matcha. Ceremonial Grade Matcha is of the highest quality and nutritional value. It is bright green in colour (meaning it contains high amounts of beneficial chlorophyll) and the texture is very fine. It is grown for the sole purpose of drinking. It can be consumed plain, without sweeteners or additional ingredients. Tea Trunk Matcha is Ceremonial Grade Matcha of Aichi Prefecture, sourced from the Nishio region in Japan. The variety chosen is also specially selected to suit the Indian palate as it is less bitter than other variants. Ceremonial matcha tea spends the last few weeks of its growth cycle in the cool shade of bamboo mats, sometimes several layers of them, in order to keep the sunlight out.Then, only the top one or two leaves of each plant are hand-picked and allowed to dry, usually indoors, again away from any direct sunlight. That’s why this grade of matcha is so green and so full of nutrients. Culinary matcha on the other hand is a grade of matcha that's designed to be used in cooking and baking. It is a finely stone-ground powder obtained from the second harvest of specially shade grown tea leaves from Japan. This grade of matcha has a bolder, more robust flavour and more bitter notes as compared to ceremonial grade matcha. It is slightly less vibrant green than ceremonial grade matcha but the colour and flavour when blended into recipes shines through other complementary ingredients.

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Traditional Matcha Utensils: There is a wide range of traditional utensils with different styles and motifs available for the preparation of matcha but the the key ones include: Matcha Ceramic Bowl (Chawan). Bamboo Matcha Whisk (Chasen). Bamboo Matcha Scoop (Chashaku). To prepare Matcha, the utensils should be preheated by filling the bowl about 1/3rd with hot water then place the whisk face down into the bowl to wet the tips of the prongs. Once the bowl has been thoroughly preheated and dried out, a small amount of matcha is placed into the matcha bowl using the bamboo scoop. The appropriate amount of hot water is then added to the bowl at which point the mixture is whisked to a uniform consistency using the bamboo whisk. There should be no lumps left in the liquid, and there should be no ground tea remaining on the sides of the bowl. www.teatrunk.com

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4 simple steps to preparing a perfect cup of matcha:

Step 1: Sift it

The most important first step is to sift the matcha powder into a bowl to prevent clumping.

Step 2: Measure it

Scoop 1 teaspoon of sifted matcha into your matcha bowl (or mug). Add 70ml of hot water* to the bowl. *To preserve the health compounds, water temperature should not exceed 80°C.

Step 3: Whisk it

Step 4: Sip it

Start by slowly running the whisk along the bottom of the bowl to pick up the powder. Then quickly whisk only the upper half of the bowl, never touching the bottom. Move the whish around the bowl in a “W” motion until you’ve created a nice frothy lather.

For the best flavor, you want to enjoy your bowl of matcha within about 3 minutes. Beyond that, the froth will disappear and the matcha powder will start to collect at the bottom of the bowl.

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Health Benefits of Matcha 1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26448271/ Matcha is rich in antioxidants In the world of nutrition, there’s a lot of talk about the benefits of antioxidants. And matcha is an antioxidant powerhouse! In fact, based on its Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) rating—a way of measuring the antioxidant capacity of foods—matcha contains 15 times more antioxidants than blueberries. Antioxidants help the body to get rid of harmful free radicals. So, increasing the consumption of green tea antioxidants may offer a range of benefits, from supporting your immune system to supporting your body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. With regard to drinking tea, studies have shown that drinking matcha regularly reduced the damage caused by free radicals and enhanced antioxidant activity. https://breakawaymatcha.com/blogs/journal/matcha-productivity-and-ltheanine 2. Matcha is known to provide an energy boost, without the jitters

and crashes Have you ever noticed that after drinking a cup of tea, the caffeine in tea doesn’t give you the same side effects as the caffeine in coffee? The reason for this is L-theanine.

This amino acid acts as the antagonist to caffeine. It is known to calm your nervous system, so you still get the energy boost but with less of the jitters that people commonly associate with drinking high amounts of caffeine. While most green tea contains around 4 mg of L-theanine per serving, a teaspoon of matcha has 20 mg.

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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15640470/ 3. Matcha is known to help boost metabolism and aid in

burning calories Various research studies have proven that green tea supports healthy digestion and metabolism, and matcha green tea is no exception. Similar studies have shown that drinking matcha regularly can result in an increase in the rate at which you burn calories from 8-10% to 35-43% . That same study also showed the possibility of supporting healthy body fat levels by drinking matcha. 4. Matcha is known to help improve immunity Matcha’s antioxidants and amino acids might also help support your immune system.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311096358_Inhibitory_effects_of_L-theanine_on_airway_inflammation_in_ovalbumin-induced_allergic_asthma

According to a study, l-theanine may support a healthy immune response to infection. And a separate study discovered that l-theanine may support your body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. The high levels of catechin EGCG found in matcha may also help promote a healthy inflammatory response and protect the body against https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30697214/ potentially harmful attacks for foreign bodies. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/10/4032 5. Matcha is known to help improve concentration

Studies carried out on 12 elderely nursing home residents have shown that drinking matcha every day for 3 months can support healthy cognitive functioning.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296328/ Other studies conducted on sub groups including healthy adults

demonstrated that those who were given matcha were more alert, had better response time, memory, and attention when compared with a group given a placebo. Additionally, the synergistic effect of matcha’s caffeine and l-theanine is commonly described as “relaxed alertness”. The caffeine helps the brain focus and stay alert while l-theanine helps it relax.

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6. Matcha is known to help detoxify the body Green is truly the colour of health and Matcha helps to safely cleanse and purge the body of harmful toxins. Chlorophyll, the element that gives green tea and other plants their signature verdant colour, is also a powerful detoxifier, helping to eliminate both chemicals and heavy metals from the body. The process by which Matcha is grown results in it being richer in chlorophyll than other green teas, making it one of the best daily detox agents. Matcha is known to have myriad other health benefits, and overall is a great value add to ones daily routine. However, results may vary from person to person. For maximum health benefits, Matcha should be consumed in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise routine. Product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

What is the best time to drink Matcha Green Tea? Matcha lovers may argue that anytime is the right time, however it’s best to consume Matcha in the first half of the day, especially if you are caffeine sensitive. It’s perfect to kick-start your morning as the combination of caffeine and L-theanine helps you stay alert yet calm. Matcha before exercising can provide the boost you need to power through your workout. Or help with muscle recovery post workout. Matcha could help beat the afternoon slump after eating a heavy meal.

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Matcha Latte Recipe: Ingredients: 1 tsp Tea Trunk Matcha 2-3 tbsps hot water 250ml Milk or any nut milk (We like almondmilk) Natural sweetener (use according to taste). We like honey, cane sugar or stevia. Method: Add 1 tsp Tea Trunk Matcha in a cup. Add 2 tsp water and use your bamboo whisk to mix it thoroughly. Add the remaining water, and whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion, until you get a nice froth. Add sweetener of your choice. Meanwhile, scald the milk in a saucepan. Pour onto prepared matcha. Add a spoonful of milk foam Garnish with a pinch of matcha powder for decoration or alternately with nutmeg powder. If you're preparing an iced Matcha latte, use cold milk and ice instead. Matcha goes well with white chocolate so if you like, you could sprinkle some shavings on the top and Enjoy!

Iced Matcha Recipe Ingredients: 250 ml cold water 1 teaspoon Tea Trunk Matcha Ice Sweetener of choice Method: Add matcha, cold water and sweetener to a glass jar/ cocktail shaker. Screw the lid onto the jar, shake well until frothy and the matcha is well dispersed. Pour into a glass filled with ice, garnish with mint and enjoy. You can transform an iced Matcha into a refreshing Matcha lemonade by adding in the juice of a lime or half a lemon.

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Matcha Mug Cake Ingredients: 4 tbsp (30 g) all-purpose flour 1 tsp Tea Trunk Matcha 1/4 tsp baking powder 1 tbsp (12.5 g) granulated white sugar 3 tbsp (45 ml) nonfat milk 1/2 tbsp (7.5 ml) olive oil Method: In a microwave-safe mug, add flour, matcha powder, baking powder and sugar. Whisk until evenly blended and no lumps remain. You want to make sure to break apart any matcha or flour lumps before adding the liquid. Add in milk and oil. Mix with whisk until the batter is smooth and uniform in color. Cook in the microwave at full power for about 1 minute. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before eating.

Matcha Panna Cotta Ingredients: 100 ml full cream milk 2 tsp (7 g) powdered gelatine 500 ml double cream 75 g sugar 1½ tbsp Tea Trunk Matcha Method: Mix Matcha with 2 tbsp of milk in a small bowl until smooth. Pour the remaining milk into a small heatproof bowl and sprinkle over gelatine. Set aside for 5 mins. Then place the bowl over a saucepan of hot water and continuously stir until gelatine dissolves. Remove and leave to cool.

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Mix the cream and sugar in another saucepan and heat over low heat until almost boiling. Remove from heat and whisk in the Matcha mixture, followed by the cooled gelatine solution. Whisk until they are mixed well. Pour the mixture into dariole moulds. Transfer them into the refrigerator and refrigerate for 2 hours or more till set. To remove from the moulds, dip the bases briefly for about 5 secs in hot water. Then gently invert onto serving plates and give short sharp shakes to loosen them. Pro-tip: lemon or orange zest can be added into the pannacotta for an added flavour burst. This recipe also pairs well with a chocolate crumb.

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Snigdha Manchanda Tea Sommelier, Tea Trunk At one point, I owned over 100 rare and exotic teas from China, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, England, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Kenya and so on. I owned this tea treasure but I knew little about these teas. So in 2011, my passion for tea took me to a professional tea school in Sri Lanka, where I studied under the guidance of Japanese tea master, Nao Kumekawa. During my study, I visited numerous tea gardens, tasted 100 cups of tea a day, and profiled over 2000 varieties of tea. I left Tea School inspired and brimming with stories about tea, and decided to make it my mission to demystify tea-speak. Many tea tastings and workshops followed. The more stories I told, the more I heard. I smiled extra bright when chai-lovers walked over to say that they had never had tea this way. And I wanted more and more people to discover and enjoy good-quality tea. Thus was born Tea Trunk, the name inspired from my father’s vintage trunk and a tribute to where my love of tea began. Today my trunk holds gourmet tea blends crafted by me. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Take your pick, and experience tea like it should be.

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Happy Sipping!