When most people think of matcha, their minds probably go to the greenish milkshakes that are sloppily blended in their nearest corporate coffee chain. While matcha can be enjoyed in many ways, including through the use of a blender, there are some techniques that can seriously enhance the flavor and smoothness of the drink.
Matcha is a specialized form of preparing tea leaves by first growing them in low-light environments to induce lighter coloration and then drying and grinding them into a fine powder. This process creates a very uniquely flavored tea brew that some say is far smoother and more pleasant to drink than simple steeping methods, but it also creates some complications.
Due to matcha coming in the form of a powder, it tends to clump up and float at the top of the vessel, which makes for an unpleasant drinking experience if left alone. This means that matcha drinkers need to find methods of mixing the matcha into the liquid in order to get the full benefits of the drink.
There are a number of low-effort methods of creating a more mixed solution, including using the blender we mentioned at the top of the article. Unfortunately, this tends to create a harsher flavor due to the amount of force involved within the blender. Many simply choose to use a spoon to mix the powder into the drink, though this almost inevitably leaves a significant number of clumps no matter how hard you try.
Luckily, we don’t have to look too far for a solution that is both elegant and effective. Matcha has been enjoyed in Japan for centuries, and during that time, they put a remarkable amount of effort into perfecting the craft and tools used when serving their ceremonial matcha.
One of the specialized tools that emerged from these strides toward perfection was the matcha whisk. Matcha whisks have a specialized construction that separates powder clumps and turns the brew’s texture smooth and frothy.
The resultant layer of foam is actually considered the ideal form of a cup of brewed matcha tea. The froth gives the drink a silky texture and opens up the full flavor of the drink, providing an optimal drinking experience for the consumer.
If you enjoy matcha lattes, the whisk can also be used to create the best-tasting version of the drink. Creating a frothy matcha brew before adding in milk helps intensify the matcha flavor so that it doesn’t get overpowered by the sweetness of the milk or milk alternative.
If you’re looking to get the ultimate in delicious and healthy matcha tea drinks, a specialized matcha whisk is one of the tools that can help you get there. While they were previously difficult to find in the U.S., Shayna’s Kitchen has thankfully provided an option to purchase both the whisk and the ceremonial-grade matcha tea to use it on. Check them out today and get started on your next brew!
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