Real vs Fake Matcha: How To Distinguish “Real” Matcha

Real vs Fake Matcha: How To Distinguish “Real” Matcha

Have you ever treid matcha sweets or dishes? Recently, matcha has expanded beyond traditional Japanese matcha tea ceremony to trendy culinary creations. But beware, your matcha might be fake! Let's explore the differences between “real” and “fake” matcha!

5 key points to know

  1. 3 powders that look like matcha
  2. What is Real matcha?
  3. What is “Konacha”?
  4. What is “Funmatsu-cha” ?
  5. Artificially produced matcha color

1. 3 powders that look like matcha

The powder resembling matcha primarily falls into three main types.

2. What is Real matcha?

Real matcha is made from powdered “tencha”.Tencha is a tea cultivated carefully to avoid exposure to strong sunlight. Preventing direct sunlight enhances the sweetness and umami flavor. Due to the labor-intensive process involved in such cultivation, it often commands a higher price compared to other powdered teas.

3. What is “Konacha”?

Konacha is made from the leftover tea dust and small leaf particles that remain after processing higher-grade green teas like sencha or gyokuro. It is a type of tea commonly served at Japanese sushi restaurants and is generally regarded as one of the least expensive types of Japanese tea.

4. What is “Funmatsu-cha” ?

Funmatsu-cha is made from powdered sencha, which refers to commonly consumed regular green tea leaves. Since it is soluble in both hot or cold water, no tea leaves are left behind. Compared to matcha, it often exhibits a lighter color and stronger bitterness. Funmatsu-cha is also commonly used in cooking and sweets.

5. Artificially produced matcha color

As matcha gains popularity, numerous matcha-flavored dishes and sweets have surfaced. Yet, beware of artificial matcha imitations. Some products resort to using unconventional ingredients like "silkworm excrement" to mimic matcha's color. While considered safe, for authentic matcha experiences, always verify the ingredients list to ensure genuine matcha is used.

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