Studies evaluating the lifespan of both populaces found people in Asia live longer, one reason was because of drinking tea plain. When powder is mixed with water, it can sometimes release compounds that can give it a fishy taste. Or it could mean a lower quality matcha. The fact that Japanese tea is normally steamed has a lot to do with it. Starbucks uses pre-sweetened matcha thats like an instant matcha powder. Why does my green tea taste like seaweed? A good one should taste grassy, smooth and creamy. Some matcha teas (and some Japanese loose leaf teas) will have more prominent umami notes. Chlorophyll (found in most green plants) is high in vitamins and minerals. Any initial bitterness should be subtle and blend gently with the taste receptors on your tongue. That way you know exactly the taste and quality of the actual powder. More about long-term benefits here. But if youre stuck with a bitter, lower grade, then it may be wise using sweetener to bring out as much of that grassy taste as possible. As mentioned earlier, matcha goes through the shading process for about 3-4 weeks which results in the increased production of amino acids. Bitter matcha is usually due to poor quality tea or from burning your drink with boiling water. One of the big problems with matcha is that its difficult to know if youll truly enjoy it just from reading the product description. Are there ways to make matcha taste better? This will linger for awhile and then slowly fade away. Other people say that matcha tastes like fish because of the way it is processed. Join us and fellow tea lovers in our Steeper's Union, a private Facebook group where we connect over all things tea. Another possibility is that the matcha powder itself has gone bad. Matcha is a versatile ingredient, and it can be used in a variety of dishes. The water added to matcha should not be boiling hot as this can also ruin the taste. The shading process leads to the accumulation of amino acids and chlorophyll in the tea leaves in the final weeks before harvest, and the blending process by the tea master moderates the flavors, creating a highly enjoyable matcha taste for drinkers. Most striking, leading doctors point out that matcha has up to 137x the levels of antioxidants than a regular cup of green tea. People often describe matcha green tea as grassy. Another reason why matcha may taste like fish is due to its processing method. This is one of the most common FAQs about matcha, especially for beginners. Explore and experiment. 1. Generally speaking, matcha has a bright, fresh, green flavor. How to Use Meat Probe on Traeger Tailgater? This results in a green tea with a pronounced umami flavor, which is a flavor somewhere between sweet and salty, and is reminiscent of seaweed or aged fish. Take, for example, the classic pairing of chocolate and peanut butter. And remember to use it within 1-2 months. Move your bamboo whisk back and forth in a "W" shape to blend tea do this until small bubbles and foam appear on the surface (usually about 20 seconds). This powder is then mixed with hot water to create a tea. The leaves are shade-grown for several weeks before harvest, which increases their chlorophyll content. 16 Common Questions about Matcha If youre heavy handed, you can always use an actual measuring teaspoon. It has a bright, grassy taste with subtle notes of sweetness, nuttiness, bitterness, and savory umami flavors.