The Izu Matcha Tea blend from English Tea Store is one of the most celebrated and most famous teas in the world. Japanese Matcha is a powdered green tea that is used in Japanese tea ceremonies, and has been used as such for centuries. The ancient Japanese believe that tea was a gift from the heavens, and as such, held great restorative and spiritual power. Ancient Japanese poet, Sen no Rikyu who is considered to be the most influential on the development of the tea ceremony (or Chanoyu), believed "though many people drink tea, if you do not know the Way of Tea, tea will drink you up."
Matcha is made using pure luxury sencha green tea and Gyokuro leaves that have been shaded under special shade covers for 3 weeks before plucking. Shading forces the plants to produce higher than normal chlorophyll levels, giving the leaves a rich green color. Once plucked, the leaves are steamed and dried. Next, they are stripped of all stems and veins, resulting in a pure leaf that is stone-ground into the fine powder tea lovers are familiar with. Having identified a high altitude Western Kenyan tea with 3 times the antioxidant value of regular green tea, this Matcha blend is blended with traditional Japan Izu. The flavory green character and emerald appearance is not altered, but the antioxidants are significantly boosted.
The rules around drinking Matcha have loosened, however. What was once saved only for ceremony, has found its way into everyday life.
