what is matcha made of

Matcha is made from a special type of green tea leaf called "Tencha," which is cultivated by shading the tea plants from sunlight for about 3 to 4 weeks before harvest. This shading process increases the production of amino acids, especially L-theanine, which enhances the tea’s umami flavor, sweetness, and vibrant green color. The tea plant used is Camellia sinensis, the same as other green teas. After harvesting, the Tencha leaves are steamed to stop oxidation, dried, and then sorted to remove stems and veins, leaving only the soft leaf parts. These leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder, which becomes matcha. This traditional process enhances the unique flavor, richness, and nutritional qualities of matcha, differentiating it from other green teas. In summary, matcha is finely ground powder made from shade-grown, steamed, and carefully processed green tea leaves called Tencha, derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. Its distinctive taste and bright green color come from the meticulous cultivation and grinding methods used to produce it.