Why tea leaves need to be covered?

Producing matcha is fairly labour intensive and takes a while to create.  About 20 days before harvest, the leaves of the tree are

shaded from the sunto increase their chlorophyll levels.This is what creates the vibrant green color in the matcha powder.

The shade also creates an amino acid called L-Theanine, the magic ingredient in matcha that helps drinkers to stay calm yet alert.

When harvest time swings round, the workers choose the best buds and then roll out the leaves to dry for premium matcha,

or lay them out without rolling for regular matcha. After the drying process is complete, the workers pick the stems and veins

out of the leaves and grind them with stones until they turn into a fine green powder.

We told you the process was labour intensive – that’s a hard day’s yakka!