Matcha Tea

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Matcha tea has become an almost daily ritual for me. It’s loaded with good-for-you benefits, simple to make, and energizing in the best way possible – without the 3pm caffeine slump! 

Little cups of matcha tea.

This easy matcha tea only requires two ingredients – matcha powder and hot water. It’s the traditional recipe that’s enjoyed in Japan, with lots of frothy little bubbles on top. 

Matcha has a grassy, umami flavor and some may consider it an acquired taste, though I personally love it. If you’d like to ease into the flavor of matcha, you can always add a little sweetener to this tea. You can also make a matcha latte with foamed milk or even sneak the matcha powder into homemade snacks, like my matcha pistachio bliss balls.  

But the best part about matcha is that it contains a bunch of health benefits, from being a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier to giving you a calm yet energizing boost throughout the day. So if you’re looking for the next star ingredient to incorporate into your routine, give matcha a try! 

Ingredients for matcha tea.

Matcha Tea Ingredients

  • Matcha powder: I use an organic ceremonial grade matcha (more on that below), like Jade Leaf Matcha or Ippodo Tea Matcha
  • Hot water: You want hot, but not boiling water for this recipe. 175°F is perfect! 
  • Optional Sweetener: Feel free to add honey, maple syrup, or another sweetener to your liking. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below

Sifting matcha tea in a strainer.

Different Grades of Matcha Powder

Shopping for matcha powder can be overwhelming, but there are two main types – ceremonial grade and culinary grade. Here’s a quick summary and how they should be used:

  • Ceremonial Grade is the highest quality matcha and most expensive. It’s made from young matcha leaves that have been shaded for longer with stems removed to improve its naturally sweet flavor and radiate an electric green color. This is what’s used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and is best enjoyed on its own.
  • Culinary Grade is a bit lower in quality and price. But this makes it a great ingredient to use in other matcha recipes, where it’s mixed into something. Think of it as a form of cooking wine where you can use it for everything — from baking to cooking. 

Matcha versus Green Tea

So what’s the difference between regular green tea and matcha tea? Green tea that’s manufactured into tea bags is steeped in hot water, giving you only about 75% of its nutrients. Alternatively, matcha is a very fine powder made from grinding whole green tea leaves. And once it’s whisked with hot water, you consume the entire leaf with all its shining health benefits. 

Matcha is also unique in how it’s harvested. The leaves are shaded from the sun several weeks before harvest to slow down growth, which increases chlorophyll levels and boosts the production of amino acids. That’s what gives matcha its vibrant green color, energizing nutrients, and unique taste.

Whisking matcha in a cup.

How To Make Matcha Green Tea

The traditional method is to use a bamboo whisk and matcha bowl. And if you plan to make it often it definitely makes sense to purchase a set, as I’ve done. But you can also use a handheld frother in a pinch, I won’t tell!  

  • Traditional Method: Add your matcha powder to a small sieve, and sift the matcha over a matcha bowl. Then, pour ¼ cup of hot water into the bowl and use a bamboo whisk to whisk vigorously in a “W” pattern for about 30 seconds. You’ll know it’s done when the tea becomes frothy and there are no chunks of matcha powder in the water. Then, fill the mug all the way up with hot water and enjoy. 
  • Frother Method: If you’re in a rush, you can always “whisk” the matcha powder straight into your cup with hot water and an electric frother. But don’t try to stir with just a spoon as you’ll end up with clumps of matcha!
  • Optional Sweetener: If you find matcha a bit bitter, you can add a touch of maple syrup, honey, or your favorite sweetener to keep the flavors balanced and enjoyable.
Mugs of matcha tea.

More Healthy Drinks

If you’re looking for more healthy drinks options, you can’t go wrong with any of these!

If you make this matcha green tea, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community. 

Little mugs of matcha.

Easy Matcha Tea

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Matcha tea is warming, healthy, and energizing. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen!

Video

Ingredients 
 

  • ½ teaspoon matcha powder
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 1 cup additional hot water
  • Optional: honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener to taste

Instructions 

  • Sift. Sift the matcha (to remove any lumps) into a mug or small bowl.
    Sifting matcha powder.
  • Whisk. Pour the ¼ cup of hot water into the mug and use a matcha whisk to whisk vigorously in a "W" pattern for about 30 seconds, until frothy. Alternatively, you can use an electric frother.
    Matcha in a cup with a whisk.
  • Fill up the mug. Add the remaining hot water and enjoy. Sweeten to taste, if desired.
    White cups of matcha tea.

Lisa’s Tips

  • If it’s summertime, you can also make iced matcha tea. After you’ve made the matcha tea, chill it in the fridge, then pour it over ice in a glass. It’s refreshing! And if you want to get extra fancy, you could make this iced matcha and salted caramel latte
  • Also, the glass matcha bowl I use in the video above isn’t as big in real life as it looks on video, lol! 

Nutrition

Calories: 6kcal | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Vitamin A: 100IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Matcha Tea, Matcha Tea Recipe
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted August 2015, but updated to include new photos, video, and information for your benefit!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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32 Comments

  1. Sat down to find a recipe for dinner when I saw this. Immediately I got up to make it. Very enjoyable on this rainy SoCal afternoon!5 stars

  2. I started watching your YouTube videos. They are now one of my favorites next to Pick Up Limes. What I enjoy the meal prep ones the most. I’m married with two a 16 & 17 yr old. Between full time work and life, these new ideas have inspired me kitchen wise.
    Thank you,
    April J. Hunt

    1. Hi April – So happy to hear that and welcome to the Downshiftology channel :) I love Pick Up Limes as well, as we both have similar taste and style! I hope my recipes will help simplify your life and inspire you to start cooking easy, healthy, and delicious recipes in the kitchen.

      1. These are my absolute two favourite channels! Pick up Limes and Downshiftology – I love how you compliment each other somehow. It would be a lot of fun to see you do a collab together! Perhaps showing one or two recipes with your own unique twists and spins on them?

        Thank you Lisa for your wholesome recipes and ideas. I have just bought a Vitamix and your videos were very helpful by the way for that. Sending kind regards, Marina

      2. Hi Marina – I’ve definitely gotten that a lot! It would be amazing to do a collaboration with her. And congrats on your new Vitamix :)

  3. Hi Lisa, recently following your YouTube channel and blog from France and I’m loving it, a lot of good informations about nutrition. I’ve watched your q&a video and you grabbed my attention about you preparing your matcha drink and I was so curious about it that I made it to your blog for more info. I have one remaining question, why adding some collagen powder to your matcha , what is the benefits of the combination ? Thanks!
    Hope you’ll be able to make a video on the subject

    1. Hi Rosa – I’m happy you’re loving all my recipes and videos! I have more info about how I prepare my matcha on my Instagram highlights. Though I’m sure I’ll have a recipe in the future. And I have a separate blog post all about collagen. :)

  4. Hi Lisa, lover your blog, this website & follow your IG. Discovered you relatively recently. I also have PCOS + hypothyroid +… In other words, I’m also trying to avoid caffein. How do you feel about matcha containing relatively high amount of caffein? Thanks so much! Your well-though through recipes and insights are beyond useful and helpful. Thank you!

    1. Thanks so much Lana! I’m happy you love all my recipes and videos. :) I have no problems with matcha and the caffeine in matcha is significantly less than coffee and it doesn’t have the same side effects of coffee. But everyone is different. Definitely give it a try and see how you feel.

  5. I picked up a matcha tea with rose water by mistake – thought it was raspberry flavoured water – and I dig it.  Would you be able to come up with a recipe for that?  Hope so, as I really liked it.

    1. Oh interesting! I haven’t tried a flavored matcha tea yet. Will have to keep my eyes peeled for one!

  6. Thanks for the article. I’m only new to drinking matcha but I absolutely love it! My favourite is an organic matcha from Matcha Pure Tea ( http://www.matchapuretea.com ) I’ve been adding it to my morning smoothie but I’ll have to try your matcha pistachio bliss ball recipe now :)

  7. What is your opinion on ceremonial matcha vs. traditional organic matcha? I have been drinks it as a tea and the only reason I haven’t branched out in experimenting is the expense of the ceremonial grade. I know more money doesn’t always mean better….but, that is why I’m asking! Love your recipes and everything you share!!!

    1. Hi Heather – ceremonial matcha is great if you’re drinking it pure (i.e. – only mixed with water). But when making lattes, smoothies, bliss balls or added to any other recipes, I only use culinary matcha. Yes, it’s cheaper, but the main reason is it’s stronger flavor profile. In fact, ceremonial matcha would not do well in these recipes as the other ingredients (even just sugar or milk) would over-power the more delicate flavor. So save some money, buy culinary matcha and have fun experimenting! :) x

      1. Thank you so much for your reply and the information, I will add your recommended brand to my Amazon order. I can’t wait to make your bliss ball recipe and add it to smoothies!!!

  8. Matcha is awesome in smoothies and desserts :D
    Try frozen bananas, matcha powder, pistachios, vanilla and milk of choice. And if you need it a bit sweeter, add either a date or honey (your choice).

    Love your blog btw, it looks great :)

  9. Oh matcha – I’ve eyed it off but haven’t given it a whirl yet. The bliss balls sound amazing. xx

    1. The bliss balls are a great way to ease yourself into the matcha flavor, if you’re a newbie. The dates help to offset some of the slightly bitter/grassy green tea flavor (which, I now love!). :) x

  10. wow Lisa, I had no idea what the mythical matcha was or it’s many benefits… I’m definitely going to put it on my to try list!
    thanks so much for sharing. xxx

    1. Awesome – great to hear Sue! It did take me a while to get used to the flavor, but now I absolutely love it. Hope you do too! :) x