One of the best things about Matcha green tea powder is the fact that it is a gift from Mother Nature. Matcha Green Tea is derived from a plant, so you can virtually grow it right at home. However, you should realize that growing Matcha Green Tea is an art that requires precision. If you do not take extra special care, there is a good chance that your plants will perish. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn all about growing Matcha Tea at your home.
Things to Know Before You Begin
First and foremost, you should learn a little more about the Camellia Sinensis plant. This is the plant that is needed to make Matcha Green Tea Powder. Matcha can realistically be grown outside in the United States as long as the area has a hardiness of 7 through 9, as specified by the Department of Agriculture. It is also possible to grow Matcha in containers elsewhere. To ensure that your plant thrives, it is pertinent to give it some shade and plenty of protection from the wind.
You’ll also need well-drained soil that is very rich in nutrients. The plants will begin producing small, white flowers during the fall. They can grow into dense, round shrubs and can grow up to 15 feet in diameter.
Pruning and Mulching
When the plant begins flowering in the fall, you need to prune the bush immediately. You can also perform this step in the summer. Be sure to get rid of any dead and damaged limbs that you find. You can shape the plant however you see fit. If the shrub is incredibly dense and the flowers cannot open completely, you should thin the tea during this step. After that, you’ll want to add mulch to the plant’s base. Two to six inches deep will suffice. Also, make sure that the mulch extends outward at least eight to twelve inches from the plant.
The mulch should be replaced each spring to prevent fungal infections.
Watering and Fertilizing
You should feel free the water the plant as much as needed during dry weather. However, you should be cautious and never let the ground become wet and soggy. Older plants tend to receive a sufficient amount of water from rainfall, but you should still keep a close eye on them. You should also use a good fertilizer. Fertilizer should be added at least every two to three weeks from spring to fall.
Cleaning and Covering
It is also pertinent to keep the area around the plant clean! This will help reduce the risk of disease and an insect infestation. Approximately four weeks before harvest, you should cover the plant using a bamboo screen. This will help decrease the amount of sunlight that can reach the leaves. This will force the leaves to work harder to produce a sufficient amount of chlorophyll. In return, it’ll cause them to become greener and more tender.
Harvesting and Drying
Finally, it is time to harvest the leaves. After harvesting, you should give the tea leaves plenty of time to dry. Once that has finished, you can remove the stems and grind the leaves into a fine powder. Now, you can finally make a delicious cup of Matcha green tea powder!
