Mocafe Matcha

Discover the World of Authentic Japanese Matcha

Matcha has become an incredibly popular drink in recent years, adored for its bright green color, rich flavor, and powerful health benefits. As matcha rises in popularity, more and more matcha brands have entered the market, making it difficult to know which one to choose. One brand that consistently rises to the top is Mocafe Matcha.

Mocafe Matcha is a premium ceremonial grade matcha made from shade-grown, organic green tea leaves harvested in the renowned tea regions of Japan. It has a vivid green color, robust vegetal flavor, and smooth, creamy texture when whisked. This buying guide will give you a comprehensive overview of Mocafe Matcha to help you determine if it’s the right matcha for you.

What is Mocafe Matcha?

Mocafe Matcha is produced by Ippodo Tea Company, a Japanese tea company with over 300 years of history and experience in tea cultivation and production. Their matcha is made from the finest tea leaves grown in Uji and Shizuoka, regions of Japan renowned for their high quality tea.

The tea plants are covered for 20-30 days before harvest to increase chlorophyll and amino acid levels, resulting in a richer flavor and color. The leaves are then harvested by hand, steamed lightly to stop oxidation, air dried, destemmed, and slow-ground in granite stone mills to produce a fine, vivid green powder.

Mocafe Matcha meets the stringent requirements to be classified as ceremonial grade matcha. Ceremonial grade is the highest quality matcha. It has a bolder, richer flavor and smoother, creamier texture than lower grades. Mocafe Matcha is vibrant green and finely ground for excellent solubility in water.

Where Can I Buy Mocafe Matcha?

Mocafe Matcha can be purchased directly from the Ippodo Tea website. They offer worldwide shipping. It’s also available from select specialty tea retailers like Amazon, Sazen Tea, and Yunomi.

When purchasing matcha, it’s important to buy from a reputable source to ensure freshness and authenticity. Buying directly from Ippodo Tea or authorized retailers helps guarantee you’re getting real Japanese ceremonial grade matcha freshly packed each season.

How Do You Prepare Mocafe Matcha?

To enjoy Mocafe Matcha traditionally, you’ll need a bamboo matcha whisk called a chasen and a ceramic or glass matcha bowl known as a chawan. The traditional preparation method is called usucha and involves the following steps:

1. Sift 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder through a fine mesh sieve to remove any clumps.
2. Add 1-2 ounces of hot water around 175°F to the matcha. The water should not be boiling.
3. Use the bamboo whisk to briskly mix the matcha and water until a smooth, frothy consistency is achieved. The color should be vibrant green with a fine layer of foam on top.
4. Enjoy the fresh bowl of matcha straight or pair it with traditional Japanese sweets.

Mocafe Matcha also makes a delicious latte when combined with heated milk. Simply add sifted matcha to hot milk and mix until foamy. For iced matcha lattes, prepare the matcha first with a bit of hot water as above, then pour over ice and add cold milk. The possibilities are endless!

Is Mocafe Matcha Made From Authentic Japanese Matcha?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha is 100% authentic Japanese matcha. Ippodo Tea Company has been producing matcha from Japanese green tea leaves since the 1700s. Their matcha is grown, harvested, and stone-ground in Japan using traditional, time-honored techniques.

Mocafe Matcha comes from the Nishio region in Aichi prefecture, which is one of the top matcha producing regions. The climate and terroir in Nishio help cultivate leaves with excellent flavor, aroma, color, and texture. You can be assured you are getting genuine Japanese matcha when you choose Mocafe Matcha.

What Are the Ingredients in Mocafe Matcha?

The only ingredient in Mocafe Matcha is pure Japanese matcha green tea powder. There are no other additives, flavors, or sweeteners.

Matcha is simply ground whole tea leaves. It provides the nutritional benefits of green tea in a more concentrated form since you ingest the entire leaf. Mocafe Matcha has about 10x the beneficial compounds compared to steeping regular green tea leaves.

With single ingredient matcha like Mocafe, you have full control over what you blend it with to make your perfect matcha drink. You get pure, clean matcha flavor without any extras.

How Much Does Mocafe Matcha Cost?

Mocafe Matcha is a premium ceremonial grade matcha, so the price reflects the high quality. Direct from Ippodo Tea, a 40g tin costs $36 USD while a larger 80g tin costs $72 USD. From other retailers, expect to pay $30-$40 for 40g.

Compared to cheaper culinary grade matcha, Mocafe Matcha costs more due to its meticulous production process and use of the finest tea leaves. Ceremonial grade has a complex flavor and smooth texture that makes it ideal for drinking straight. The higher cost reflects the quality.

For daily drinking, the price of Mocafe Matcha may seem high, but keep in mind it is a special treat. With proper storage, matcha lasts several months to over a year, making the cost per cup reasonable for occasional enjoyment. Many find the indulgence worth it!

Is Mocafe Matcha Organic?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha is USDA certified organic. The tea plants are grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Organic cultivation is healthier for the environment and produces a pure, untainted leaf.

Ippodo Tea Company emphasize sustainability in their tea farming. Choosing organic Mocafe Matcha allows you to enjoy your matcha knowing the leaves were grown chemical-free in an eco-friendly way.

Does Mocafe Matcha Contain Any Added Sugar?

No, Mocafe Matcha does not contain any added sugars or sweeteners. It is 100% pure matcha, meaning there are no additives or flavorings added.

Matcha does contain natural carbohydrates from the green tea leaves that provide a hint of underlying sweetness. However, Mocafe Matcha itself is unsweetened with no added sugars.

Many people prefer to enjoy Mocafe Matcha unsweetened to taste the true flavors. But you can easily sweeten it to your taste with sugar, honey, monk fruit, or other sweeteners when preparing. The lack of added sugars gives you full control over sweetness levels.

What Are the Health Benefits of Mocafe Matcha?

Mocafe Matcha boasts a powerhouse of nutrition and potent health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits of matcha:

• Rich in antioxidants – Matcha has abundant antioxidant compounds like EGCG that reduce cellular damage and may help prevent chronic disease.
• Boosts focus and clarity – Contains caffeine plus L-theanine, which promotes alert relaxation without jitters.
• Supports heart health – The catechins help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Aids weight loss – The combo of antioxidants, catechins, and caffeine boost metabolism.
• Detoxifies the body – The chlorophyll and catechins help remove toxins.
• Calms and relaxes – L-theanine has a soothing effect on the mind.

The health benefits of matcha make it much more than your average cup of tea. Mocafe Matcha harnesses the wellness potential of matcha into each cup.

How Does Mocafe Matcha Compare to Other Matcha Brands?

As a premium ceremonial grade matcha, Mocafe Matcha is superior in color, flavor, and nutrition compared to lower grades. Culinary grade is made from inferior leaves and has a weaker color and grassy flavor. Café grade is better for drinking but still lacks the vibrancy and complexity of ceremonial grade.

Compared to other ceremonial grades, Mocafe Matcha stands out for its bold, vegetal, umami flavor with notes of seaweed and spinach. The color is a vivid jade green. The smooth, creamy texture has fine foam. Reviews praise Mocafe Matcha for having one of the boldest ceremonial grade flavors.

While not the most expensive ceremonial, Mocafe Matcha compares favorably to pricier brands in flavor and quality. For the price, it’s an outstanding ceremonial grade matcha.

Can I Use Mocafe Matcha for Baking?

Mocafe Matcha works wonderfully in baking recipes like cookies, cakes, breads, and more. Its fine texture incorporates smoothly into batter. The flavor pairs well with chocolate, nuts, coconut, citrus, and berries.

Since ceremonial grade is more expensive, some bakers prefer using culinary grade for baking. But Mocafe Matcha’s vibrant green color and bolder flavor can greatly enhance baked goods. If you don’t mind the higher cost, using Mocafe Matcha can really take your matcha-infused baked treats to the next level.

Is Mocafe Matcha Suitable for Making Lattes?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha is an excellent choice for making matcha lattes. Its smooth, creamy texture blends beautifully into steamed or foamed milk. The bold umami notes stand up nicely when mixed with dairy or non-dairy milk.

For latte art, Mocafe Matcha’s fine powder texture ensures the milk froths smoothly. The vibrant green pops against white frothy milk. Mocafe Matcha makes a first-class latte with sweet, vegetal flavors. It’s a terrific way to enjoy this ceremonial grade matcha daily.

Does Mocafe Matcha Contain Caffeine?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha contains caffeine since it is made from green tea leaves. On average, there is around 35mg of caffeine per 1 gram of matcha powder. So a typical serving of 1-2 grams of matcha provides 35-70mg of caffeine.

The caffeine levels are similar to a cup of regular brewed green tea. However, thanks to the amino acid L-theanine, matcha provides a gentler, smoother energy boost without jitteriness. The L-theanine helps promote relaxed alertness.

So while Mocafe Matcha does have caffeine, it tends to provide sustained focus and productivity rather than a harsh spike and crash. But it’s still best avoided late in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine disrupting sleep.

Are There Reviews for Mocafe Matcha?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha has many glowing reviews describing its stand-out flavor and quality. On the Ippodo Tea website, it earns an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewers say it has a “bold, rich flavor”, “beautiful green color”, and “smooth, creamy froth.”

Tea bloggers like Ocha & Co praise its “intense vegetal flavors” with “woodsy and oceanic notes.” Reviews confirm that Mocafe Matcha lives up to its ceremonial grade classification. Many say it’s their favorite matcha brand for daily drinking.

What is the Shelf Life of Mocafe Matcha?

When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, Mocafe Matcha lasts approximately 1 year from the harvest date. The shelf life allows you to buy in bulk if you are a regular matcha drinker.

Buying directly from Ippodo Tea ensures your matcha is freshly packed each harvest season for maximum freshness. The harvest date is printed on each tin. As long as you keep it sealed and away from sunlight, heat, and humidity, it will remain vibrant for many months.

Can Mocafe Matcha be Used in Smoothies?

Mocafe Matcha works fantastically in smoothies. Its strong flavor holds up well alongside frozen fruit, yogurt, nut butter, and other mix-ins. A teaspoon delivers vibrant color and nutrition.

Since Mocafe Matcha is finely ground, it blends smoothly into the other smoothie ingredients without clumping. It pairs especially well with banana, berries, mango, avocado, citrus fruits, and cocoa nibs or cacao powder.

Smoothies are also a great way to enjoy Mocafe Matcha if you find the flavor too strong on its own. Blended with sweeter fruits, vegetables, and nut milks, it makes a delicious and nutrient-dense addition to breakfast or snacks.

Is Mocafe Matcha Gluten-Free?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha is 100% gluten-free. Since matcha is made from pure ground green tea leaves, it naturally contains no gluten. No gluten-containing ingredients are added during production.

Ippodo Tea’s facility processes nothing but tea, so there is no risk of cross-contamination with gluten either. Mocafe Matcha is safe for those following a gluten-free diet.

What is the Flavor Profile of Mocafe Matcha?

Mocafe Matcha has a bold, robust, vegetal flavor profile typical of high quality ceremonial grade matcha. Customers describe the flavor as:

• Grassy – The classic green tea flavor shines through.
• Broccoli or spinach – Bright, bitter greens.
• Woodsy – Notes of forest floors.
• Umami – A savory flavor with hints of nori seaweed.
• Vegetal sweetness – A touch of natural sweetness.

The flavors are layered and complex. Mocafe Matcha is smooth and mellow, not harsh or astringent. The flavor is enjoyable both straight and mixed into lattes, smoothies, and baked goods.

Does Mocafe Matcha Come in Different Sizes or Packaging?

Yes, Mocafe Matcha is available directly from Ippodo Tea in a few different size and packaging options:

• 40g tin – Compact tin for sampling or personal use.
• 80g tin – Larger tin designed for daily matcha drinkers. Best value.
• 200g bag – Resealable pouch for even bigger savings.
• 500g bag – For matcha lovers buying in bulk. Also offered in partnership with Matcha Konomi.

The tins have a wide opening for easy scooping. The resealable bags help maximize freshness after opening. Click the size that fits your matcha brewing habits.

How Do I Store Mocafe Matcha to Keep It Fresh?

To maintain the freshness and vibrancy of Mocafe Matcha, it’s important to store it properly:

• Keep in an airtight container – Transfer to a glass jar or sealed bag after opening.
• Store in a cool, dark place – Away from heat, humidity, and sunlight.
• Refrigeration – For maximum shelf life, keep refrigerated.
• Freeze portion sizes – Freezing unused matcha in 1-2 week amounts seals in freshness.
• No metal containers – Metal can impart a metallic taste over time.
• No refrigerating in tin – The tin can corrode when exposed to condensation and humidity of the fridge.

Follow these guidelines to enjoy Mocafe Matcha at peak deliciousness and nutrition throughout its shelf life. Proper storage helps preserve the intense flavors and health benefits.

Experience the Difference with Mocafe Matcha

Mocafe Matcha lives up to its reputation as an outstanding ceremonial grade matcha. Made by a centuries-old tea company in Japan, it delivers a vivid jade green color, robust vegetal flavor, and incredibly smooth texture. Mocafe Matcha offers a chance to experience supreme Japanese matcha culture in each cup.

This buying guide provides all the key details on Mocafe Matcha to help you determine if it’s the right matcha for you. Whether you are curious to try real Japanese matcha for the first time or looking for a new favorite ceremonial grade, Mocafe Matcha is sure to delight.