I have been a huge fan of matcha tea for many years. And when I came across Sun Goddess Matcha Tea by Pique tea, it moved up to the top of my matcha recommendations list. Here’s the thing, this bright green powder has become so trendy that we’re seeing it everywhere. You can now order a sugary matcha tea at almost every coffee shop across the country. But the quality of your matcha tea is EVERYTHING. Trust me on this. If you invest in a high quality tea, it’ll taste completely different than a cheaper one. It’s similar to the difference between cheap wine and really good wine.
And like any food or beverage that becomes trendy, I’ve started to see a low-quality product saturating the market. I would rather pay extra and have quality matcha or not have it at all. And Pique Tea’s Sun Goddess Matcha Tea is indeed quality matcha.
What Is Matcha Tea?
But first, what is matcha tea? It is green tea. But it is the whole leaf, which is ground up into a fine powder. You typically use about one teaspoon of powder, and whisk it up with about 1/2 cup of hot water. A bamboo matcha whisk is often used to create a “sea foam” on top of your matcha. Traditionally it’s enjoyed as is (especially when using “Ceremonial Grade” matcha). But you can also add steamed milk to create a matcha latte.
Unlike traditional green tea, matcha production involves covering the tea plants with shade cloths before they’re harvested. This triggers the growth of leaves with superior flavor and texture. The leaves are hand selected, steamed briefly to stop fermentation, then dried and aged in cold storage, which deepens the flavor further. The dried leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder. Quite a laborious process. And that is why properly produced matcha tea actually should be expensive!
It’s Nature’s Xanax!
Matcha tea also contains l-theanine, which is naturally calming. It’s been coined as “nature’s xanax”. Zen monks would drink ceremonial matcha to calm the mind, energize the body, and soothe the soul. It contains about half the amount of caffeine than coffee. However, the “caffeine” doesn’t act in the same way as it does in coffee. Rather than jacking you up, it gives you a gentle and sustained lift. This is why I drink matcha tea everyday. It’s my mid-morning or mid-afternoon treat!
Health Benefits Of Matcha Tea
Because matcha is often made from high-quality tea, and the whole leaves are ingested, it’s a more potent source of nutrients than steeped green tea. In addition to providing small amounts of vitamins and minerals, matcha is very rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which may protect against heart disease and cancer, as well as effective blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure reduction. Another polyphenol in matcha called EGCG has been shown in research to boost metabolism.
Why Matcha Tea Quality Is So Important!
Because you are consuming the entire leaf, you also may be consuming contaminants, such as pesticides and heavy metals. This is why it’s imperative to find a brand that takes screening very seriously. And this is why I recommend Pique Tea’s Sun Goddess Matcha Tea. It’s quadruple -screened for heavy metals and fluoride, pesticides, mold and radioactive isotopes. This is very important.\
What Does Matcha Tea It Taste Like?
Unlike most steeped green teas, Sun Goddess Matcha Tea has a rich, sweet, creamy flavor. It’s hard to describe, but it’s a “grassy” sweetness. Sun Goddess Matcha Tea doesn’t have a note of bitterness in it (unlike other brands). It can be enjoyed hot or cold. And it comes in handy little single-serving sachets (great for travel).
My Matcha Recommendation…
There are a couple of brands that I like, and that I have recommended in the past, but the Sun Goddess Ceremonial Grade matcha is the best quality and taste that I’ve found to date. It’s quadruple tested for all of the concerning toxins. It’s organic. It’s ethically sourced. It comes in single-serving pouches that are great for travel. You can add either hot water or cold water (no whisk required). My favorite Summer beverage is an iced matcha latte. It’s sweet enough that you don’t really need to add a sweetener. But if you have a super sweet tooth, you could add a little Stevia or Monk Fruit. But do try to enjoy the naturally sweet taste of the tea.
My Final Tip
If you become a matcha fan, think of a warming matcha latte (or an iced matcha latte) as a perfect afternoon “snack”. By adding steamed or frothy plant-based milks (soy, almond, oat etc), you are getting a heft of clean protein, and the latte will fill you up. It’s my absolute favorite. Especially with Sun Goddess Matcha Tea by Pique. I pretty much can’t live without!
You can also bake with matcha. I love matcha waffles. But I use a less expensive grade of matcha for cooking.