Matcha Tea

Floral and flavourful, this traditional Japanese tea is immensely popular. The vibrant green matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves, transforming into a frothy and delicious tea when whisked with hot water. 

With centuries of experience providing quality teas, you can count on Twinings for the perfect cup of zen.

Matcha tea is a green tea from the young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets matcha tea apart from other teas is the way that it is grown and prepared. Once the young tea leaves are harvested, they are steamed, dried and ground into a fine powder that can be whisked to create a matcha tea with a rich and earthy flavour, that certainly packs a punch.  

The name ‘matcha’ means ‘rubbed tea’ in Japanese, which describes the process of rubbing the tea leaves to produce the fine matcha tea powder. Today, we make matcha tea by whisking matcha powder with hot water to create a smooth paste using a bamboo whisk.   

Matcha tea is primarily associated with Japanese culture, but its roots can be traced back to China. Originally used in Zen Buddhist tea rituals, it made its way to Japan in the 12th century thanks to Buddhist monks. The matcha tea ceremony, or ‘chadō', is a Japanese ceremony that translates to ‘the way of tea’, which is still widely observed today. Despite its more traditional origins, matcha tea has evolved to become a popular modern drink. 

Both matcha tea and green tea come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis, but the preparation process of the leaves creates two teas with distinct flavour profiles. Green tea is made by steeping the leaves in hot water, while matcha is the result of the leaves being ground down to make a fine matcha tea powder. Because the whole leaf is used in matcha, it has a stronger and more potent flavour.  

Matcha tea has a complex flavour profile. The strongest taste is the grassy vegetal flavour of the tea leaves. Traditionally, this is locked in through steaming the green tea leaves as soon as they've been harvested. Then there's the savoury 'umami' flavour, one of the quintessential tastes of Japanese cuisine. You'll also notice a delicate balance of subtle sweetness, natural nuttiness, and pleasant bitterness.

Matcha tea made with powder has a special texture thanks to the whisking process of preparation. This injects air into the powder-water mixture, resulting in a light, smooth, and creamy texture.

• Matcha green tea powder: Ceremonial grade matcha green tea powder sourced from Japan. 

• Superblends Cleanse matcha tea: Sweet fennel seed and fresh citrus notes create a bright and fresh blend.  

• Cold Infuse Metabolism: Watermelon and apple infused with added zinc for a fruitier take on matcha.  

• Super green matcha: Combined with Chinese green tea for a light flavour. 

There are lots of different ways to make matcha tea. You can make it the traditional way, using a bamboo whisk to combine matcha tea powder with water. Alternatively, you can make it using the matcha teabags in our Superblends range, which add flavours such as juicy cranberry and lime or sweet fennel and citrus. It all depends on how strong you want the matcha flavour profile to be.

To make a matcha powder tea :

1. Boil the kettle. Always use freshly drawn cold water.

2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder to your matcha bowl.

3. Pour a small amount of hot water onto the powder.

4. Use a bamboo whisk to combine until frothy.

5. Add more hot water until the tea is fully mixed.  

6. Drink as it is, or add milk to create a matcha latte.  

Find out more about making a matcha latte at home.  

Twinings have been blending tea for over 300 years, ensuring the best quality matcha tea.  

• Exceptional quality: Our Master Blenders meticulously sample hundreds of teas from all over the world to select the finest quality ingredients. We don't own any tea gardens, so we're free to partner with the best producers. 

• Broad selection: Our selection of teas, including matcha tea, is tailored to introduce tea drinkers in the UK to new flavours and experiences. We've innovated since day one to introduce people to new tastes and experiences, including diverse black teas and our decaffeinated teas. 

• Preferred by tea drinkers: Our dedication to quality has made us the top choice for Out of Home Tea, with customers preferring our tea for its superior taste and quality. 

• Committed to care: We are committed to sourcing teas with care and promoting the environmental and ethical treatment of our suppliers and pickers. Learn more about our commitment to care. 

Shop our matcha tea today and experience more. Got a question? Check our FAQs or contact us.