FAQ
HOW TO MAKE MATCHA WITH A BAMBOO WHISK
Using a bamboo whisk and tea bowl, sift 1/2 tsp matcha into the bowl using a small sifter. Add 2oz hot water. For best results use water just under a boil. Whisk vigorously in a zig zag motion until the tea is frothy. Add the matcha to the beverage of your choice and enjoy!
You can enjoy matcha in many different ways. Visit our recipes and our Instagram for inspiration. We also have resources on our YouTube channel.
WHERE IS YOUR MATCHA SOURCED FROM?
Our matcha comes from Kagoshima, Japan, home to the active Sakurajima volcano, and one of the best growing regions. It is certified organic in Japan by JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) as well as USDA Organic. It is also certified gluten free + vegan.
The volcanic ash makes the soil nutritionally rich with minerals and micronutrients resulting in a naturally sweet, smooth, flavorful, antioxidant-rich matcha!
Our matcha is routinely tested for mold and yeast, pesticides, and heavy metals coming in 5x lower than Prop 65 standards!
WHAT DOES MATCHA TASTE LIKE?
Matcha is made from shade-covered leaves. This process increases the chlorophyll content of the leaf and produces a full bodied, creamy vegetal taste, occasionally with an astringent note, depending on the grade of tea. Other factors like temperature of the water and ration of powder to other ingredients will influence the flavor profile of your finished beverage.
The growing location of our matcha in Kagoshima, Japan situated at the base for the active Sakurajima volcano which aids in the delicious flavor.
I DON'T HAVE A WHISK, WILL MY MATCHA STILL BLEND AND TASTE GOOD?
Absolutely. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon matcha to 2 tablespoons of room temperature or 176ºF water (hot, but not boiling) and mix with an electric milk frother or add to a jar and shake vigorously. Check out our YouTube for more resources.
We do recommend trying the whisk. It is uniquely suited for creating a frothy bowl of matcha tea which has an airy pleasant texture and tastes wonderfully delicious.
HOW ELSE CAN I ENJOY MATCHA?
Matcha is extremely versatile. Explore all of the ways matcha tea can fit into your life. You can cook with it, bake with it, make hot drinks, cold drinks, smoothies, and face masks! No, we are not kidding! Start by exploring our recipes.
CAN I ADD MILK AND SUGAR TO MY MATCHA?
The traditional way to drink your matcha is with just hot water. The OG if you will. But not everyone wants to go sugar free or milk free and that is ok! If you are going to sweeten your matcha, we recommend a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey. Our matcha naturally has a sweetness, so you shouldn't need much.
Now milk. Cow's milk isn't the best option for matcha as it sticks to the polyphenols, which alters how well your body can absorb the nutrients from your matcha. So essentially cow’s milk just neutralizes the amazing benefits of matcha. We recommend that you switch to a plant based milk like almond, coconut, oat or macadamia nut.
WHY IS MATCHA MORE EXPENSIVE THAN REGULAR TEA?
Matcha production is limited. Covering the fields with bamboo mats, or tarps, weakens the tea plants, and a longer recovery period is needed before they can be harvested again. Most farmers pick matcha leaves entirely by hand – although machine picking is not uncommon. Local farmers closely supervise the growing, harvesting and sorting of matcha leaves. At the factory, production requires several processes including steaming, drying, de-stemming, sorting, grinding and packaging. Each stone grinder produces only about 40 grams of matcha in an hour.
The pricing of matcha in Japan is directly related to which leaves are used, where they were grown and which farmers cultivated it. When you look to buy matcha, you’ll find the most expensive ones are the greenest color and the softest in texture. This denotes that only the youngest leaves were used and de-spined (all coarse fibers, i.e. the stems, removed). Matcha is made in relatively limited quantities, and because it is so popular in Japan, relatively little remains for export.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE MATCHA?
Keep your matcha well sealed and in the fridge. Think of it as a fresh vegetable. We recommend keeping it airtight and in a dry area – keeping it away from air and humidity will keep your matcha super fresh and green!
DOES MATCHA HAVE CAFFEINE?
Yes. Our matcha has about 23 mg caffeine per serving. Coffee has about 150 mg per 8 ounces depending on how it is brewed. Matcha also contains l-theanine, an amino acid that improves cognitive function and induces a calm soothing effect on the mind. Part of the lure of the tea, is that Buddhists monks used it as an aid in meditation as the stimulation from the caffeine kept them alert, while the amino acids kept them calm and focused. Matcha is an excellent coffee alternative in the morning and an energy booster in the afternoon between lunch and dinner.
When drinking matcha, whole tea leaves are consumed (not just the steep as with other teas), providing 4 to 6 hours of mild steady energy. Matcha is both a stimulant and a relaxant, perfect for focusing on work, meditation, exercise or play.
WHAT'S MATCHA'S ORAC RATING?
ORAC is a measure of antioxidant efficacy of a particular food. The ORAC rating of matcha tea is 1300 umoleTE/g compared to 105 for pomegranate fruit and 93 for wild blue berries. The USDA recommends 3,000-5,000 ORAC units per day. One teaspoon of matcha tea, about 2 grams, contains approximately 2600 ORAC units.
CAN I DRINK MATCHA WHILE PREGNANT?
The level of caffeine in matcha is below the recommended maximum for pregnant/breast feeding women, but it is still recommended to keep caffeine levels low during pregnancy. We recommend you consult your doctor to assess things on a case by case basis depending on your regular personal caffeine consumption and other factors. Congratulations on the matcha-mini!
WHAT MATCHA GRADE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
There are 3 main grades of matcha: ceremonial grade, premium grade and culinary grade.
As a general guide, ceremonial grade is usually used only for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies where the process is completed very thoroughly with a strict process. Premium grade is a great alternative that allows for optimum quality for both everyday drinking as well as cooking. Culinary is mainly for cooking and baking.
Matcha Nude offers premium grade which gives a high quality matcha drinking experience without breaking the bank!
WHY DOES MY MATCHA TASTE BITTER?
There are a myriad of reasons as to why your matcha might taste bitter but the ones we see most commonly are; pouring boiling water directly onto your matcha, old matcha and/or poor quality matcha. The optimal water temperature for matcha is 176ºF or 80ºC, not boiling, so we recommend cooling down boiling water with cold water before adding it with the matcha. Boiling water can burn the matcha and result in a bitter taste! Additionally, lower quality or ‘old’ matcha can taste slightly bitter.
HOW MUCH IS A SINGLE SERVING OF MATCHA?
The recommended serving size is ½ a teaspoon which is approximately 2g.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SENCHA GREEN TEA AND MATCHA?
The most obvious difference is in it’s physical form. Sencha Green Tea is the dried green tea leaves that most people drink - it can be found in green tea bags or as loose leaf tea. Matcha on the other hand is stone-ground green tea and is found in powder form.
Sencha is also grown in direct sunlight whereas matcha is grown in shade in its final months, increasing its incredible L-theanine content! Sencha is prepared by steeping/brewing the tea leaves in hot water and then discarding the tea leaves whereas matcha is dissolved into water or a liquid so the whole tea leave, technically, is consumed (more health benefits!)
WILL MATCHA GIVE ME ENERGY?
Yes, matcha contains caffeine (but not as much as coffee) so it will most certainly give you energy! Although matcha does have caffeine, it also contains an amino acid called L-theanine which helps to calm the mind and body, counteracting the negative side effects of caffeine on its own (the jitters and the crashes). This is why we love matcha- you get a sense of alertness whilst not getting the jitters!
WHEN TO DRINK MATCHA TEA?
There is no ‘BEST’ time however it could be a good idea to have matcha before a workout for a caffeine hit or first thing in the morning to kick-start the metabolism. It is also a great coffee alternative for your afternoon!
For those who are caffeine sensitive, we would suggest to have it in the morning!
WHEN SHOULD I DRINK MATCHA FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Although matcha doesn’t directly cause weight loss, it has been suggested to boost fat oxidization so having a matcha tea first thing in the morning could help increase fat burning, since the body should already be in fat burning mode!
CAN MATCHA PREVENT CANCER?
Matcha doesn’t directly prevent cancer, but it’s extremely high antioxidant content can help to neutralize free-radicals and oxidative stress - both of which are linked to cancer.
CAN MATCHA CAUSE GAS OR BLOATING OR OTHER STOMACH/DIGESTIVE ISSUES?
Generally speaking, matcha is simply green tea leaves ground into a powder so it shouldn’t cause gas or bloating. However, it is possible that matcha sold with sugars, fillers and preservatives can cause bloating and gas for some people.
Matcha Nude is 100% pure green tea, stone-ground into a powder- so no sugars, fillers, preservatives etc. KEEP IT NATURAL, KEEP IT NUDE!
Also, remember green tea activates your metabolism so enjoying it on an empty stomach may make you feel like you have a belly ache because your body is hungry.
CAN MATCHA TEA GO BAD?
Matcha itself doesn’t go ‘bad’ unless it is exposed to other substances or contaminated with foods that do go bad. Matcha does get ‘old’ though which is mainly evidenced by the vibrancy (or lack thereof) of its natural green color. Usually this is about 12 months after it’s made. Keeping it in the fridge in an airtight container can help your matcha stay green and fresh.
CAN MATCHA REPLACE COFFEE?
Matcha is a great coffee replacement for those trying to ween off high levels of caffeine and for those who are caffeine sensitive. Matcha contains an amino acid, L-theanine, which helps to counteract the negative effects of caffeine that cause jitters and crashes. L-theanine helps to calm the body and mind while still getting the small caffeine hit that matcha naturally has.
MOTHER EARTH AND MATCHA NUDE
Matcha Nude uses all compostable packaging - this includes the pouches your matcha comes in, the mailers, tissue paper, stickers or cards. We have a strong environmental stand because we know how important Mother Earth is to us and our future.
WHEN WILL MY ORDER BE SHIPPED?
Within a few days of ordering, if not the same day.
WHAT SHIPPING METHODS DO YOU USE?
We primarily ship with USPS.
HOW MUCH DOES SHIPPING COST?
We primarily use US shipping rates as determined by USPS. All orders over $100 will receive free shipping.
Other countries are calculated based on current rates.
WHERE DO YOU SHIP?
Anywhere!
CAN I COLLECT MY ORDER IN PERSON?
Matcha Nude does not have a store front, however, we do sell our matcha in retail stores across the United States and limited cities in Canada. Visit our Find Us page to learn which retailers are closest to you.
If you would like your favorite store or coffee shop to carry us, have them reach out or fill out our wholesale application!
If you have any other questions please email us getnude@matchanude.com