GABA Ceremonial Red Matcha is an organic Tea Ceremony-grade powdered Hong Cha. Hong Cha is what in Asia they call red tea and which often is mistakingly called "Black" Tea in the West. This Red Matcha powder was made blending leaves from Kanayamidori and Asatsuyu cultivars.
Now, you hear Hong Cha or Western Black tea and you're thinking this will be a highly stimulating beverage.... but in fact it's not.... it's a Relaxing Tea thanks to the GABA. You may be familiar with GABA by now and it's many wonderful properties, such as it promotes a healthy deep night's rest. Meaning you can enjoy this tea during the day and get the benefits of calm heightened awareness during the day, or enjoy it at night and get a deep night's restful sleep.
GABA is an amino acid (γ-aminobutyric acid), a major neurotransmitter of the human central nervous system. This compound is likewise present in other teas and is beneficial to our health in many ways. Thanks to a natural processing procedure developed by the National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science, however, GABA Matcha is far richer in GABA than are other varieties - the effect of this tea could be more than 10 times stronger than that of usual Matcha. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can act as a blood pressure controller. Its daily consumption might help burn fat and have a beneficial effect on blood pressure or stress issues. GABA is also great for a good night's sleep, making this Matcha suitable for late evening drinking. I can't stress enough how amazing it is to drink this matcha before bed... you get such a deep, wonderful rest. And yet, it is amazing to drink during the day as well as it gives you an attentive -yet dreamy- state of mind. Quite the contradiction! Try and see for yourself and comment below!
In mouth one is met with a rich array of indescribable flavor that is intense with woody, earthy notes, some light roasted notes and a trace of cocoa. You can prepare this tea as a creamy latte or as a traditional water-based matcha, in which case you will notice the earthy flavors more and also it's interesting astringency and long lasting flavor in the mouth.
Usucha preparation: 1 tablespoon Matcha for about 2dl water at 80º C. Let chasen (bamboo whisk) stand in chawan (tea bowl) for 10 minutes to make it more flexible and warm the bowl. Use chashaku (bamboo spoon) to take one heaping spoon of matcha and sieve through furui to eliminate small lumps. If you do not have a furui, then you can use cold water to make a paste. Add 2 dl. water at 80 °C. Hold whisk with dominant hand, using other hand to hold the bowl steady. Begin by stirring slowly to mix powder and water, then whisk swiftly while writing the shape of the letter M until you develop a creamy froth. Finish by making circular movements to eliminate large bubbles, then lift whisk from the center of the bowl so the froth looks smooth and even.
This tea comes in vacuum-sealed 50 gram bags and can be enjoyed as a latte or as traditional water-based matcha.
GABA tea is famous for its extensive health properties including its calming properties which have a positive effect on mood and helping regenerate the nervous system.
To read more about Gaba production and health properties please visit our Blog: https://teabarcelona.com/en/las-propiedades-del-te-gaba-2/
Origin: Ogura, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Harvest: Ichibancha (Spring) 2024
Color of liquor: mocha brown
Aroma: autum leaves, roasted cocoa, banana
Flavor: woody, earthy, long-lasting, sweet with some astringecy (without milk) as a latte astringecy disappears
Temperature: 90º c
