Craft deliciously traditional beverages or create trendy new recipes with unmistakably high quality using this Jade Leaf ceremonial teahouse edition matcha powder. Artisanally made from shade-grown, first flush tencha tea leaves of the Okumidori, Kanayamidori, Sayamakaori, Samidori, and Yabukita cultivars that are harvested on partner farms in the Uji and Kagoshima regions of Japan, this ceremonial-grade matcha is hand selected for the highest quality. Authentic first flush ceremonial matcha is made from ground tencha tea leaves that are hand-plucked off the top of a shade-grown green tea plant during Japan's first harvest, or ichibancha (translating to "first tea"), of the year. The most sought-after harvest, these young leaves are the highest quality, most nutrient-dense leaves, and typically contain 3 times more of the naturally-occurring L-theanine, an amino acid known for improving cognitive performance, than subsequent harvests. Vitally important to the matcha's taste, quality, and health benefits, the leaves are shade-grown for the last 25-30 days of their growing cycle to reduce the amount of direct sunlight on the plant. This process limits photosynthesis, thus boosting levels of chlorophyll, antioxidants, and L-theanine. Once harvested, the tencha leaves are steamed, de-veined, de-stemmed, dried, and slowly stone ground into a powder to preserve the tea's delicate yet complex taste. These artisanal growing, harvesting, and grinding methods all ensure you are getting the highest quality of authentic Japanese ceremonial matcha that has no resulting bitterness, graininess, or dullness in color. This matcha powder delivers a vibrant green color, a smooth, creamy mouthfeel, and a balanced, well-rounded flavor, with vegetal, earthy notes from the Uji region and a refreshing, light sweetness from the Kagoshima region. Because of its higher levels of L-theanine, which is naturally sweet, this ceremonial matcha tea has a sweeter taste than culinary-grade matcha and is perfect for sipping. Because it contains only pure, all-natural matcha with no additives, sugars, or sweeteners, this teahouse ceremonial-grade product is preferred by baristas and expert chefs alike. Because of its exceptionally smooth flavor profile, it's most commonly used to create traditional hot matcha tea, iced matcha tea, and lattes. Preparing this matcha requires no expensive equipment, making it easy to integrate onto your menu. For a traditional preparation, combine 2 oz. water with 1 tsp. of sifted matcha in a round bottom bowl. Using a matcha whisk, rapidly whisk in a M- or W-shaped motion until no clumps remain and you have an even layer of foam on the top. Alternatively, you can also prepare matcha in a shaker jar or with an electric whisk; because they can be used to prepare large quantities of matcha, these preparation methods are recommended for foodservice applications. Simply add water, milk, or your favorite plant-based milk alternative to your prepared matcha to create a wide variety of hot and iced beverages. Each 1 lb. bag of this Jade Leaf ceremonial-grade teahouse edition matcha contains enough product to make approximately (227) 12 fl. oz. servings, keeping your establishment in good supply of this high quality product. The product is stored in a double-sealed pouch that guarantees the freshness and quality of the matcha. When Jade Leaf began in 2014, most companies selling matcha to the US market were either adding an exorbitant luxury markup to their products or trying to pass off cheaply made green tea powders as traditional matcha. Jade Leaf knew they could do better! Representing the Kizuna Tea Collective, a group of small, family-owned Japanese farms, Jade Leaf was founded on the promise to deliver premium quality product at fair market prices. By sourcing their tea directly from artisan partner farms, Jade Leaf is able to offer the highest quality products at the best prices, even providing rare and exceptional products with each harvest. Don't settle for anything less than the best; trust Jade Leaf to supply your establishment with the finest matcha and teas that your discerning customers are sure to love! Suggested Recipe: Cold Brew Iced Matcha 1 tsp. (2 g) 8 fl. oz. cold water Ice Sweetener to taste (optional) Prepare a matcha shot by whisking or shaking matcha powder and 2 fl. oz. of cold water together until frothy. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the remaining 6 oz. of cold water. Layer your matcha shot on top of the drink for a stunning visual effect! Sweeten to taste if desired.