Matcha has no match. This bright green drink has travelled far beyond Japanese tea rooms and found its way into Instagram reels and café menus. It is not just a trend anymore; matcha is becoming a lifestyle. And guess who has also fallen for it? None other than Sanya Malhotra.
The actress recently posted a video showing her love for matcha. In her own playful style, Sanya is seen preparing the drink while the song Tu Chahiye from Bajrangi Bhaijaan plays in the background.
In the caption, she wrote: “Plot twist: Tu was matcha all along. Brewing with Love.”
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A post shared by Sanya Malhotra (@sanyamalhotra_)
Not Everyone’s A Fan Though
While Sanya is all hearts for it, influencer Ankush Bahuguna isn’t a fan. Speaking on The Having Said That Show podcast, he shared his honest opinion where he said that matcha feels like “mehendi ka paani.”
He added, “I don’t get the hype why every other Instagram story, you see some girl like pouring that green thing and usme fir jhaad phook kar rahi hai. Pata nahi tantrik bane hue hai log. I don’t get it. I don’t think people are drinking it, they’re just posting it.”
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What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a fine green powder made from specially grown tea leaves. It is usually whisked with hot water or blended into milk to make drinks like the now-famous matcha latte. The word “matcha” simply means “ground tea” in Japanese.
While green tea first arrived in Japan from China in the ninth century and was mainly used for its medicinal benefits, matcha as we know it today came much later. It truly took shape in Kyoto during the 16th century as part of the Japanese tea ceremony, a ritual that was popularised by tea master Sen no Rikyu.
In today’s world, matcha comes in different grades depending on its quality and purpose. The highest is ceremonial grade which is used for traditional tea rituals. Then there is culinary grade which is more common and used in cooking, baking and everyday lattes.
How Is Matcha Made?
Matcha comes from a special type of tea leaf called tencha. These leaves are shaded from sunlight for weeks before harvest which boosts their flavour and nutritional value. After that, they are steamed, dried and slowly stone-ground into powder. This process is slow as making just 40 grams of matcha powder can take up to an hour. That is also why it’s more expensive than regular green tea.
Why Do People Love It?
For starters, the health benefits. Matcha is loaded with antioxidants especially a type called catechins that protect your cells. One of the strongest catechins in it, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), is believed to support heart health and reduce inflammation. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation, which can improve focus and alertness.
Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a registered dietician and author of How Not To Eat Ultra Processed, said matcha can be one of many ways to support mental health.
“Matcha may help with stress levels due to its L-theanine content,” she explains. L-theanine has been shown to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness, and it can balance the stimulating effects of caffeine, creating a calm, focused state. This combination is often why people find matcha less jittery than coffee,” Ludlam-Raine told The Independent.
It’s About The Aesthetic
Matcha’s growing popularity isn’t just about what’s in the cup, it is also about the culture around it. The ritual of making matcha, the tools, the colour feels like a whole new vibe.
“People are also attracted to the Japanese culture around tea: the ritual, the time taken, the aesthetics,” Shigehito Nishikida from Tokyo’s Jugetsudo tea shop Daily Observer.
Famous Matcha Places In India
If you want to try it for yourself, here are a few places you can visit:
Mumbai: Blondie, Khar, Tokyo Matcha Bar and Mokai
Delhi NCR: Dirty Good, New Delhi, Espressos Anyday, Gurugram and Genre, Defence Colony
Bengaluru: Sakura Matcha Bar, Kind Roastery and Brew Room and The Caffeine Baar