Arbor Teas is proud to offer a selection of organic matcha green tea, including different options for cooking and drinking matcha.

Matcha green tea is a powdered organic green tea that is typically consumed in Japanese tea ceremonies, but has been growing in popularity in Western countries. Drink it traditionally from a matcha bowl, add it to smoothies or cook with it - the possibilities are endless!

Origins of Our Organic Matcha Green Tea

Matcha, or powdered green tea, originally was popularized in China under the Song Dynasty in the early 1100s as a way to prepare and consume tea. This preference for powdered tea was brought to Japan by the monk Myoan Eisai, and adopted into Zen Buddhist traditions and ceremonies. At that same time the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, was also brought to Japan where it became a major commodity and gave rise to one of Japan’s most popular beverages - green tea. In fact, it has become so popular that most tea grown in Japan is consumed in Japan; very little is exported. We are proud to source all of our organic matcha green tea from Japan. For those concerned with the implications of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster, we continue to have our organic matcha independently tested for radiation.

Organic Matcha Green Tea Manufacture

As with any green tea, our organic Japanese matcha teas are unoxidized and maintain the leaves' green color throughout processing. However, matcha is a unique green tea because of its powdered form and because the tea plants are shaded before harvest, forcing them to produce more chlorophyll which results in a vivid green leaf. During manufacture the veins and stems of the leaf are completely removed before the tea is stone ground to create an ultra fine powder.

Preparation Tips for Our Organic Matcha Green Tea

To prepare matcha, we recommend measuring approximately one half teaspoon of matcha and place in a pre-warmed bowl. This is roughly two almond-sized portions when using a traditional bamboo matcha scoop (or “chashaku”). Add approximately 3 oz. of water heated to 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit. Whisk vigorously in a back-and-forth motion using a traditional bamboo matcha whisk (or “chasen”) until frothy. After whisking, the matcha is ready to drink directly from the bowl. Of course, these are only our recommendations. Let your personal taste be the ultimate test! Get more tips on how to prepare matcha. and check out all our matcha accessories.