Water Temperature Matters When Brewing Matcha

MATCHA GUIDE:

Water Temperature Matters When Brewing Matcha

Did you know that water temperature matters when it comes to matcha? It sure does! We conducted a water temperature test to show you how hot water affects the overall taste and color of matcha. Utilize our tips to ensure that you are able to craft the BEST matcha for your customers!

Breakdown of the test:

 

Jade Leaf Matcha's Oxidation Test on Instagram

 

  • Left: One glass filled with water at 140°F
  • Right: One glass filled with water at 212°F (boiling temperature)
  • We placed one serving of our Teahouse Ceremonial Grade Matcha in both glasses and used our electric frother to blend the drinks
  • We recorded a time lapse over 1.5 hours to see if we could capture a noticeable difference in color
  • The drink on the left (made with water at 140°F) still has a vibrant green hue, the drink on the right (made wjth water at 212°F) has a noticeable color difference and has a yellow/brown hue 🤯

Watch our Water Temperature Test on Instagram >

 

The Result

Our Water Temperature Test is a great visual to show how hot water (above 175°F) burns the delicate matcha powder and increases the rate of oxidation. The color change from a vibrant green hue to a dull yellow/brown color is oxidation taking place. Since hot water burns the matcha, it will also invites more bitter notes — no matter the grade you use. Be sure to prepare matcha with the tips we share below to ensure the best experience for your loyal customers!

Water Temperature Tips 

  • Ideal temperature for matcha preparation is 140°F - 175°F
  • For iced drinks, use cool or warm water to make your matcha shot. It isn’t necessary to use hot water for a frothy shot
  • For hot drinks, make your matcha shot within the ideal temperature range
  • At all costs, avoid using boiling water
  • We recommend using a temperature-controlled kettle. There are many options available for every budget. If you’re unable to use a temperature-controlled kettle, allow hot or boiling water to cool down before prepping your drink or use a drink thermometer to gauge the temperature of your water.

All about #KnowYourMatcha:

Know Your Matcha is a campaign born out of our desire to share knowledgeable matcha education. We wanted to invite our passionate community of wholesale partners into the conversation; busting many matcha myths and misinformation that currently lives on the web. We hope you and your team find this information helpful. We welcome any questions or comments that may arise. Feel free to drop us a line and let us know what's on your mind. You can reach Robert, our Director of Foodservice at: robert@jadeleaf.com

 

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