Coffee and tea are big business in the United States, but there is another drink that is quickly gaining a foothold in American society… Matcha!
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a form of green tea in which the leaves are ground into a fine powder and suspended in hot water. When you consume Matcha, you are consuming the whole leaf and therefore benefiting from the numerous antioxidants and other healthy compounds found in the Matcha green tea leaf.
According to the Matcha Connection, “What makes matcha green tea powder special lies in the method in which it is cultivated. Weeks before green tea plants are set to harvest, growers cover the plants so that the remainder of the growth cycle takes place in the shade. By preventing the direct sunlight from reaching the tea leaves, the growth slows and an increase in the production of chlorophyll begins. This in turn gives the tea leaves a deep green color and increases the amount of amino acids found in the leaves. Only the youngest leaf buds are picked, then dried, and ground into a fine powder, retaining all of their nutrient goodness. The final result being matcha green tea powder.”
How is Matcha Prepared?
Matcha is prepared in a bowl rather than a cup and should be consumed quickly, as it is more of an emulsion than a tea. The particles are suspended in the hot water and if left too long, the tea can separate.
The traditional way to prepare matcha is to add a teaspoon or two of Matcha green tea powder to a bowl and add hot water while whisking vigorously with a bamboo whisk.
There have been many variations to this and today Matcha is consumed in many different ways. Including matcha cakes and cookies, matcha latte, and many other ways.
Matcha Continues to Grow in Popularity
Matcha sales in the United States reportedly grew at an incredible 54.9% in 2014 and sales are expected to increase 25% per year in 2015-2018.
While the sales are not yet reaching the enormity of coffee and regular tea, they are surely enough to catch the attention of investors and other business interests.
Even though Matcha has been around for centuries in Japan and China, it is relatively new in the U.S. and that equates to opportunity for savvy business people.
There is no doubt that Matcha is big business and is here to stay.
If you are interested in profiting from Matcha, now would be a good time to do some research and get in on the ground floor of this amazing little tea leaf.
A good start would be to head on over to Amazon and buy some Matcha and you too can begin to ride the Matcha wave!