Matcha – the green gold from Japan is considered a popular coffee alternative for breakfast and a healthy wake-up call. You can drink the green tea neat or use it to refine sweets. Due to its health-promoting and awakening properties, matcha is also indispensable for our breakfast tables – whether as a matcha latte or in the matcha porridge with dates and banana from Verival. Matcha can easily be integrated into your healthy breakfast .
In this post, you'll learn everything you need to know about matcha and find delicious recipes for your breakfast with the healthy superfood .
What is Matcha?
Matcha refers to a type of green tea that is characterized by the fact that its leaves are ground into fine powder. The tea originally comes from Japan and is now indispensable in our food and drink menu. We know this awakener as a hot drink, in smoothies, ice cream, cakes, and more.
For some, matcha latte is a popular alternative to coffee. The green tea also contains caffeine but at the same time has a relaxing effect. This is due to L-theanine, which is found exclusively in tea and has calming properties.
Matcha is said to have numerous health benefits. For example, it has a cell-protective effect due to the many antioxidants and is said to prevent heart disease, cancer, or Alzheimer's disease.
How is matcha powder made?
Tencha, the plant from which Matcha is made , grows in warm, humid areas of Japan. In order for Tencha to develop its matcha-typical aroma, the tea plantation is covered with a net that is almost impermeable to sunlight two to four weeks before harvest. In order to compensate for the lack of sunlight, the plant then begins to produce a particularly large amount of chlorophyll, which is later reflected in the sweet taste of the tea.
The tea leaves are harvested from April and treated with hot steam in a tea factory. This way, the plant stays fresh and does not ferment. In the next step, the leaves are dried at 180 degrees. The so-called raw tea or "aracha" is created.
Next, the leaves are divided into different quality categories according to color, texture, and taste, and the stems are removed. The remains of the tea leaves are finally ground into fine matcha powder. Special granite stone mills are used to preserve the taste and aroma of the tea.
Where is matcha grown?
As mentioned, matcha is made from the tea plant Tencha. In order for it to grow and thrive well, the plant needs a warm and humid climate. The most famous growing regions in Japan include Fukuoka, Kyoto, Aichi, and Kagoshima.
The 3 Matcha Varieties: Ceremonial, Cooking, and Organic Matcha
The three different matcha varieties—Ceremonial, Cooking, and Organic Matcha—differ mainly in the harvest. Ceremonial Matcha, for example, is harvested in May. Only the top two leaves and a bud are removed from the plant. The result: sweet, aromatic matcha. It is particularly suitable for drinking, but it also comes at a price. A 30-gram can can cost up to €30.
The more mature leaves are harvested in June and July, which later turn into Cooking Matcha. This variety is mainly used for preparing sweets such as ice cream, cakes, and other desserts. This matcha tastes more bitter and is therefore not suitable for drinking.
The taste of matcha is described as “umami,” which is one of the main flavors in addition to sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. However, the taste is only created by the fertilizer used to provide the plant with those important nutrients that it does not get when growing without sunlight. In organic matcha, the chemical fertilizer is dispensed with, which means that the famous umami taste is missing.
How can Matcha be processed?
You can either drink matcha as a tea or use it as an ingredient in different dishes. For instructions on how to prepare matcha tea correctly, see the article below.
In addition to its classic use as a tea, matcha is also ideal for smoothies. Simply add a bit of matcha powder to the smoothie of your choice, giving it a bright green color. This way, the vitamin bomb becomes a wake-up call in no time.
Matcha is also often used for baking—from classic stirred cakes to delicious cheesecakes. This not only ensures a special color but also an exceptional taste.
The processing possibilities of matcha are almost endless. However, the combination with sweets and desserts is by far the most popular.
What does matcha taste like?
As mentioned, matcha tastes "umami." Don't worry if you've never heard of this flavor. The word comes from Japanese and can be translated as savory, spicy, or piquant. Some also describe it as nutty.
In fact, the taste is hard to put into words. So if you want to know what umami tastes like, you can dose your matcha tea a little higher and use 3 grams instead of 1 gram. But be sure to use water that is no hotter than 80 degrees; otherwise, matcha will become bitter.
What does matcha do in the body?
Matcha is just as much a wake-up call as coffee. The caffeine contained in it is responsible for this. Unlike coffee, however, matcha has a delayed effect and lasts longer. Plus, you don't feel as fickle after matcha as you do after coffee. This is due to L-theanine, an amino acid found in matcha that has a relaxing and stress-reducing effect. This makes matcha a gentler stimulant than coffee.
In addition, matcha is said to promote concentration, improve memory, and lift mood.
Matcha is often used in sports to increase endurance and performance and to stimulate the metabolism. It is also said to help against sore muscles.
How healthy is Matcha?
The health benefits of matcha range from its protective effect on the cardiovascular system to reducing the risk of colon cancer and preventing Alzheimer's disease. The reason for this is the many antioxidants contained in the green powder. They protect our cells from free radicals and have a rejuvenating effect.
Since the tea leaves are ground in matcha and end up in the tea as a whole, all vitamins and minerals are preserved in contrast to classic green tea. The most important micronutrients include vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, C, and K, as well as calcium and potassium.
How to recognize high-quality matcha
The quality of matcha can be recognized by its color, smell, texture, and taste. In the following table, you will find clues to distinguish good from bad matcha:
| Good Matcha | Bad Matcha | |
| Color | bright green | yellowish, brownish |
| Odor | floral, fruity, nutty | chemical, uninteresting |
| Texture | creamy, soft, full | dusty, sandy, watery |
| Taste | gently sweetish | bitter, sour |
Matcha vs. Coffee – What's the Difference?
Briefly, we have already touched on the similarities and differences between matcha and coffee, and it has been mentioned that both contain caffeine and are therefore popular remedies for fatigue.
While the caffeine in coffee acts very quickly and strongly, the effect of matcha is slower and gentler. Coffee only makes you feel very awake for a short time. However, the effect wears off quickly. An unpleasant side effect of coffee: some people feel nervous and fidgety.
Matcha is not only slower and less intense than coffee, but the effect also lasts longer. This is because matcha only works in the intestines, while coffee already works in the stomach.
Another difference is that some coffee drinkers complain of stomach discomfort. Due to the high acidity, coffee can irritate the stomach. On the other hand, matcha is well tolerated by most people. It is even attributed an antibacterial effect.
Daily dose of Matcha – This is how much Matcha you can consume per day
According to the European Food Safety Authority, adults should not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine throughout the day. One cup of matcha with 1 gram of the green powder contains about 35 mg of caffeine. It is recommended not to consume more than five cups of matcha tea per day. The general recommendation is that no more than 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight should be consumed daily.
Matcha Preparation – What you need to know
The most popular way to process matcha is arguably as a tea. We have a guide to the perfect matcha tea for you:
- Boil fresh water (preferably soft water)
- Allow the water to cool to approx. 80°C
- Add about 1 gram of matcha (equivalent to ½ teaspoon) to a matcha bowl
- Pour the powder with about 80 ml of hot water
- Beat the tea frothy with a bamboo broom (takes about 15 seconds)
- As soon as the surface is foamy, you can add water as you like. The less water you use, the more intense the tea will taste.
Caution: The water should never be hotter than 80°C; otherwise, the matcha will become bitter.
Alternatively, you can use foamed plant drink or milk instead of the extra water in step 6. This is how you get a creamy matcha latte.
Basic recipe Matcha latte
Accessories
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Matcha Powder
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Bamboo spoon
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Matcha Bowl
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Bamboo broom
Ingredients
- 1/2 – 1 whole bamboo spoonful of matcha powder
- 200 ml hot water
- 200ml Milk /Plant Drink Alternative
- Optional: sweeteners such as maple syrup
Preparation
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Briefly warm the matcha bowl with hot water. Drain the water afterwards.
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Add 80 degrees hot water with half a to a whole bamboo spoonful of matcha powder into the bowl.
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Stir the matcha powder with the matcha broom until frothy for about 15-20 seconds.
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Pour matcha powder into a cup and add foamed milk or plant drink.
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Refine as desired with sweetener to achieve the desired sweetness. Maple syrup, for example, is particularly suitable.
3 Recipe Ideas with Matcha for Breakfast
Due to its quality as a stimulant and its sweet taste, matcha is an absolute breakfast hero. We have collected three recipe ideas for a healthy breakfast for you:
Matcha latte with oat drink
For a classic matcha latte with an oat drink, prepare matcha tea as described in our instructions above. Once the surface of the tea is frothy, add about twice the amount of warm, foamed oat drink. For a more intense matcha taste, use less oat drink. If you want to soften the intensity a bit, take a little more plant drink. If you're drinking matcha for breakfast for the first time, start a little milder. Alternatively, you can also use milk or other milk alternatives.
Matcha porridge for breakfast
Matcha and porridge are an unbeatable combination. The warm oatmeal provides your body with all the important nutrients for breakfast. With matcha as a supplement, you can absorb the ingredients of both products even better. In addition, the green matcha breakfast provides a gentle energy boost.
Our porridge basic recipe is the basis for a delicious matcha porridge. Add about 1 gram of matcha powder and stir well into your oatmeal. Alternatively, you can mix matcha tea as in our preparation instructions and boil the oatmeal in the green liquid.
Basic recipe: oatmeal
Ingredients
- 250 ml milk or a plant-based alternative for vegans (oat milk, almond milk, soy milk,...)
- 50 g oatmeal (grams of oatmeal)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tsp agave syrup optional
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon of your choice
Preparation
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Boil the oatmeal with the pinch of salt and the sweetener of your choice in the milk or plant drink (preferably with constant stirring). Cooking the cereal flakes only with hot water is also a possible variant.
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Let the porridge steep for 3 minutes.
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Empty the porridge into a bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon.
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Enjoy!
Nutritional values
A faster and absolutely delicious alternative to homemade matcha porridge is the new Matcha Porridge date banana from Verival. The preparation takes only 3 minutes and you have a full breakfast in no time, which will get you started on your day full of energy.
Matcha Porridge Basic Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 grams of Verival Matcha Porridge blend
- 110-120 milliliters of water / milk / plant drink
- Optional: toppings such as banana or strawberries go perfectly with the tart taste of matcha.
Preparation
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Pour 50 g of base mixture (6 tbsp) into a bowl with approx. 110 ml (depending on the desired smoothness) of hot milk or plant drink alternative.
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Stir the matcha porridge and let it swell for 3 minutes.
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Enjoy warm and refine with toppings such as strawberries or bananas.
Overnight oats with matcha for breakfast
Like porridge, you can also add matcha to overnight oats – the quick overnight breakfast. When preparing your breakfast the night before, add a small amount of matcha powder (about 1 gram) to the Overnight Oats basic recipe and stir all the ingredients well.
Keep the overnight oats in the fridge overnight and enjoy your breakfast the next morning with a wake-up guarantee.
Basic recipe Matcha Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 50g Verival Matcha Porridge Blend
- 200 ml water / milk / plant drink
- Toppings of your choice such as strawberries or banana
Preparation
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Pour 50 g of base mixture (6 tbsp) in a bowl with approx. 200 ml of cold milk or plant drink alternative, stir, and leave to stand overnight in the refrigerator.
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The next morning, refine with toppings of your choice. Especially bananas or strawberries harmonize very well with the tart taste of matcha.
Instead of adding matcha powder to your breakfast, you can also use Matcha Porridge date banana from Verival. Mix in about 50 grams of matcha porridge with 120 ml of the liquid of your choice (e.g., plant drink, milk, or water) and stir well before letting it steep overnight in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to prepare porridge with matcha?
To prepare porridge with matcha, you need 60 grams of oatmeal, 250 ml of water, milk, or plant drink, and 1 gram of matcha powder. Mix all the ingredients and cook the oatmeal for three to five minutes.
What are the advantages of porridge with matcha?
The matcha and porridge duo harmonizes particularly well. The nutrients from the oatmeal can be better absorbed by the valuable ingredients of matcha. Matcha is also considered a gentle stimulant. This makes it the ideal addition to your breakfast.
How to prepare overnight oats with matcha?
Take about 4 tablespoons of oatmeal, 80 ml of liquid (e.g., milk, plant drink, or water), and 1 gram of matcha and mix all the ingredients in a sealable glass. Store the mixture in the fridge overnight and refine the finished overnight oats the next morning with fresh toppings of your choice.
What does Matcha Porridge do in the body?
Porridge has a warming effect and provides important nutrients such as proteins, long-chain carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins. Matcha acts as a gentle awakener and contains cell-protecting antioxidants.
Is Matcha Porridge good for the gut?
Due to its fiber content, porridge stimulates intestinal activity and promotes intestinal health. Matcha is much more digestive-friendly than coffee and is therefore a healthy alternative.
Can you lose weight with Matcha?
Matcha is said to stimulate metabolism and fat burning. There is no miracle cure for weight loss, but matcha can be supportive.
Is Matcha Healthy Every Day?
You can safely consume matcha every day. However, you should not exceed the maximum recommended amount of 400 mg of caffeine per day. It should not be more than 5 cups of matcha.
