#matcha

#matcha

There's no denying the "matcha boom" in the last two years. Matcha-flavored desserts and drinks are just about everywhere you like. According to data from the Trade Statistics of Japan Ministry of Finance, 78% of all powdered green tea exported from Japan -- which includes matcha powder -- went to the U.S. in 2024. Like anything that comes with high demand, there's also going to be a higher price tag.

A new matcha gelato shop landed in Manhattan this month, focusing on the varying intensities of the Japanese green tea in frozen sweet form. Aokō Matcha opened in the West Village at 275 Bleecker Street, near Jones Street, as of Thursday, August 21. Founder and owner Isabella Pang's Japanese cafe offers what it calls a "five-shade tasting experience" of its matcha gelatos.

If you're aware that matcha is a type of green tea, you're probably wondering why it's so much more expensive than other varieties. Of the three types of matcha, top-tier ceremonial grade runs upwards of $45 per ounce, and even the most affordable matcha for cooking can cost around $6 per ounce. Compared with regular green tea, which costs around $2.50 per ounce, matcha is considerably pricier.

In July, Nguyen, Tran, and a Beaverton coffee shop that hosted a Whisk & Bloom event all received letters in the mail threatening legal action if they didn't stop selling Marukyu Koyamaen, a brand of high-end matcha often considered the gold standard of Japanese tea makers.

Excellent espresso drinks and solid matcha are on hand at this minimalist coffee shop in Laurel Heights.

Hojicha is created from bancha leaves, a lower-grade leaf that some people prefer for its milder taste after roasting, resulting in a smoky and sweet flavor.

Three Tea Bowls has established a minimalist cafe called Forest Tea in Berkeley, focusing on high-grade matcha served as straightforward tea drinks or enhanced with black sesame and house syrups.

My favorite thing about this matcha banana smoothie is that it's not too sweet! Rolled oats, toasted pecans, and plain vegan yogurt add to the heartiness and also enhance the naturally earthy matcha flavor.

The THC-infused iced matcha latte combines matcha's earthy, antioxidant benefits with THC's soothing effects, creating a unique beverage that blends wellness and relaxation.

When made well, macarons are perfectly smooth and crisp on the outside, with a pleasantly chewy texture on the inside.

Drinking matcha, which contains less caffeine than coffee and is rich in L-theanine, can be a calming ritual before bed that promotes relaxation.

I try to do two weekends on the road a month, but sometimes it ends up being three. Usually my Sundays are spent flying home.

Preparing matcha, in its most traditional form, is a special and sacred ritual done with mindfulness and intention. The quality of water and whisking technique greatly affects flavor.