How matcha is produced – after harvest
After the tea leaves have been harvested, the process of making matcha begins. The first step is to steam the tea leaves to stop them from oxidizing and preserve their fresh green color, which is usually done right on the farm. The leaves are then dried and sorted, stems and any impurities are removed. The tea leaves are now stable and can wait to be ground as late as possible until delivery.
The dried leaves are then ground into a fine powder using traditional granite stone mills. It can take up to an hour to grind just 30 grams of matcha powder, and workers need to constantly refill the grinders by hand. The finished matcha powder has a clear green color, fresh grassy aroma and a smooth fine texture, ready to be enjoyed your way.