Ceremonial Matcha Tea is a special variety of Japanese green tea known for its exceptional quality and its use in traditional tea ceremonies, such as the Japanese tea ceremony known as "chanoyu" or "sado." It stands out for its delicate, sweet and umami flavor, as well as its vibrant emerald green color.

The most notable difference between Ceremonial Matcha Tea and other green teas is the way it is grown and processed. Before harvesting, tea plants are shaded for several weeks, which promotes the production of chlorophyll and amino acids, especially L-theanine. This practice increases the flavor and smoothness of the tea, as well as its intense green color.

After harvesting, the leaves are carefully selected and ground into fine powder using a traditional process involving millstones. The result is Matcha tea powder, which is used in the tea ceremony.

To prepare ceremonial Matcha Tea, a small amount of Matcha Tea powder is added to a special bowl (chawan) and mixed with hot, non-boiling water. Then, it is beaten with a bamboo whisk (chasen) until a creamy foam is obtained on the surface. The tea is served in small sips and drunk slowly, enjoying its flavor and texture.

The flavor is sweet, smooth and with rich umami. It has a velvety texture in the mouth due to the fine grinding of the tea leaves. The flavor of Matcha is unique and appreciated for its balance and complexity of flavors.

In addition to its flavor, it is appreciated for its health benefits. By consuming all the tea powder, you ingest all the nutrients and antioxidants present in the leaves, making it a healthy and revitalizing drink.

It is an important part of tea culture in Japan and is considered a symbol of hospitality, respect and harmony. Its preparation and consumption are part of a spiritual and meditative experience in the tea ceremony.

It is also widely used in cooking and baking. Its fine and soluble powder makes it versatile to add to various recipes.

In baking, Matcha tea is used to make cakes, cookies, ice cream, chocolates and other desserts. Adding it to recipes can impart a unique flavor and deep green color to baked goods. Matcha is also used in making glazes, creams and fillings to add a touch of flavor and color.

In addition to baking, Matcha can be used in hot and cold drinks. It can also be added to shakes, smoothies and cocktails for an herbal and energizing flavor. You can make Matcha latte tea by mixing it with hot or steamed milk and sweetening to taste.

It is important to note that Ceremonial Matcha Tea, due to its quality and production process, can be more expensive compared to other Matcha varieties that exist, more specific for culinary use. Therefore, if you intend to use it in cooking, you may want to consider culinary grade Matcha, which is less expensive and more suitable for making cooking recipes.