Matcha Power: how to harness

Matcha is a power-packed, powdered tea that has spread from its Zen roots and reverential status in Japan to fast-moving cafés around the world. Discover the background – from cultivation and processing to modern creative preparation.

Matcha is one of the world’s most recognisable teas, but also one of the most misunderstood. This unit takes you beyond the buzzwords and brings matcha into focus. You’ll explore how it emerged from its popularity in Chinese Song Dynasty tea culture, to take root in Japanese monasteries, and then evolved into a symbol of refinement, discipline and calm.

You’ll learn how matcha is cultivated under shade, processed into tencha, and ground into the fine green powder used in usucha and koicha. You will understand what’s meant by ‘ceremonial grade’, how to assess quality, and how to prepare it – for yourself and for others. This unit opens up matcha’s creative possibilities – in lattes, mocktails, baking and beyond – with practical tips and recipes for both home and service settings. It equips you to use matcha with care, imagination and confidence.

Live Q&A session
You will also have the opportunity to put your questions to a matcha specialist in a live 1 hour Q&A session.

On completion
At the end of the unit, you’ll complete a multiple-choice quiz.   

Qualification
When you have passed the MCQs you’ll receive an OCN London digital badge to demonstrate your understanding of matcha.

This is an optional unit in the Tea Sommelier Award