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As big fans of both matcha and cold tea, after offering you the most diverse recipes with the cold brew method to enjoy our favorite drink cold, we couldn't help but also propose the recipe for cold matcha tea. In the past on our blog, we have talked extensively about matcha tea, its properties, and how to prepare it perfectly, following the techniques of the oriental method of the tea ceremony and coffee techniques for matcha latte: now we want to discover it in a different version, refreshing and suitable for summer days (but not only!).
Matcha tea, or maccha (抹茶), literally 'rubbed tea', is a green tea originating from imperial China, typically used in the 'tea ceremony', the traditional ritual of preparing the drink. The preparation of matcha tea produces a characteristic green-colored drink with unique aromas, reminiscent of very herbaceous flavors, almost like green leaves and algae. Matcha tea is derived from the leaves of the tea plant, which, after being harvested, steamed, and dried, are ground into a very fine powder with a bright green color.
The characteristic of matcha tea is its preparation: it is not infused but prepared for suspension, emulsifying the tea powder in water using traditional and specific tools, such as the chasen, the bamboo whisk used for mixing. Like all green teas, matcha does not need boiling water, making it more suitable for cold brewing. Furthermore, the emulsion preparation method facilitates the preparation of iced matcha, enhancing its sweet and intense flavor. Cold matcha can be a real blessing on hot days: not just a simple cold matcha tea, the powdered format allows you to use it to prepare iced matcha latte, smoothies, matcha cocktails! Let's see how to prepare a perfect cold matcha tea.
How do you prepare cold matcha tea? We have already talked about how to make a great cold green tea, but before proceeding with the explanation of all the steps for preparing cold matcha, it is important to clarify that in this case some traditional accessories are necessary, used in the tea ceremony, the Cha no yu ('hot water for tea'), a Japanese social and spiritual ritual centered around matcha tea. There are two versions and two styles of matcha tea preparation, the thick tea ceremony, koicha, and the light tea ceremony, usucha, for which different matcha powders and proportions are used. For all of them, specific accessories are used:
The tea ceremony is a very traditional ritual in the East (you just need to search for some videos on Youtube to understand its importance), it is carried out following very precise rules that require care and spirituality, which then turn into matcha tea, a beverage considered an elixir, beneficial for the body and mind: useful for relaxing, meditating, but also for improving concentration, being rich in polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine. The tea ceremony is performed in specific rooms, and recalls the fundamental principles of meditation, with studied movements, using very high-quality matcha tea (the ceremonial grade matcha, which you can also find for sale on Terza Luna) and following Zen practices of harmony and tranquility, to achieve a state of serenity. If you want to replicate a tea ceremony at home, you can also replace the traditional tools with a normal whisk and a large bowl with a flat bottom, although Japanese objects allow you to prepare a perfect iced matcha.
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To prepare cold matcha tea, you will need, in addition to the tools mentioned such as the chasen and the gawan:
The amount of matcha varies depending on the type of cold matcha tea you want to make: for koicha, the thick matcha tea, more matcha powder and less water are used, while the more common version is usucha, the light matcha tea with a smoother consistency, which is liquid and foamy, and for which, according to the rule, 2 chashaku for 80 ml of water are used, or about two grams of matcha powder. It is ideal to start with this proportion and then add water according to your preference.
If you like, you can garnish your cold matcha tea with mint!
For an alternative that involves using a different tea, also discover the version of iced hojicha latte: we give the recipe in the article on hojicha latte.
For a 'quick' version of matcha tea, you can also prepare your iced matcha with the cold brew method: you won't need chasen, special bowls, or other tools: a shaker and a little strength will be enough to get a lump-free cold matcha tea.
Cold matcha tea can be a great base for preparing various recipes, being a sweet and intensely flavored drink, capable of revolutionizing many preparations. Hot matcha is a more creamy, more bitter drink, while cold matcha tea is a refreshing, sweet, and energizing tea, suitable for being enriched with lemon slices, for a lemon matcha, mint, or fruit syrups. You can also use iced matcha for preparing extraordinary cocktails, such as a cold matcha mojito, or a tequila-based cocktail (P.S. if you are interested, discover other cocktail recipes with tea!). You can also try your hand at preparing a cold matcha latte.
