Always Trendy.
While matcha has been around for centuries, matcha lattes have been enjoying its moment for the past 30 years. Read about the matcha latte history and which matcha to use for lattes.
Matcha Latte History & Origins
Matcha comes from green tea leaves that are pulverized into a powder form. The leaves were first grown and consumed in China during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. The leaves were steamed and formed into bricks for ease of transportation. From the brick form, they were pulverized and mixed with water and salt. Buddhist monks would cart the matcha powder around the temple grounds and nearby regions.
By the 10th century during the Song Dynasty, green tea and matcha spread to Japan when a Japanese Buddhist monk brought the seeds and tea plants to Kyoto’s temple grounds. were green tea became a high-quality, ceremonial product for the highest classes and the ruling class.
Today, there are two types of matcha powder. The first is the premium ceremonial grade which is used for traditional ceremonies. The second is called culinary matcha which has a less fine and more coarse texture. This latter kind is used for baked goods and drinks.
To make matcha products, the matcha powder from the green tea leaves is mixed with water and stirred together using a bamboo whisk. Matcha in the form of cakes, chocolates, sweets, and matcha lattes appeared in Japan in the 1990s as trendy desserts – a trend that has proven itself and lasted to this day.
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