We are open and shipping all items with no delay! Free 2-5 Days Shipping

Sale is Ending soon!

Sale ends once the timer hit zero

  • days
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Seconds

What Causes Some Matcha Flavors to Have a Chocolate Aroma?

May 02, 2023

What Causes Some Matcha Flavors to Have a Chocolate Aroma?

 

What Causes Some Matcha Flavors to Have a Chocolate Aroma?

Sometimes I am asked why I drink the teas that I do, and it is a tough question to answer. Most of the time, I struggled to define the flavor, or perhaps the aroma. You have probably come across the words "umami" to describe the flavor profiles of various Japanese green teas, for example, a kind of full flavor on your tongue (see What Does Umami Mean for Tea Drinking?).

I prefer "fresh-smelling" teas and tend to use that word accidentally in describing teas. Unfortunately, throwing terms such as "umami" or fresh around does not necessarily convey what the tea is about. One of the teas that I, like many others, thoroughly enjoy is good matcha. Oddly enough, matcha is often one of the easiest teas to describe. Several matcha teas I have enjoyed include a distinct chocolate aroma that is impossible to dismiss.

For those who are not familiar with this distinction, it can be tough to understand how green powdered tea smells like chocolate. Let us unpack this to see where this chocolate smell comes from—perhaps one of the first teas you can convey in words to others!

Matcha isn’t too complicated, is it?

This question may seem obvious to many, but it is important to put together the pieces of the matcha puzzle in order to understand where the chocolate aroma comes from. Matcha is made from the tea leaves of Camellia Sinensis. Matcha made from these leaves is shaded by approximately20 days before harvest, with different kinds of "mats" that you may see across different parts of Japan, particularly in and around Kyushu and Kyoto in the springtime.

covering green tea leaves

The shading of the leaves increases the chlorophyll levels, which ultimately darkens the plant. This process subsequently increases the production of L-Theanine. L-Theanine has been found to help those with higher levels of anxiety and alleviate stress. It may also improve sleep and the immune system. The leaves are then kneaded, not rolled. Rolling the leaves would lead to a different final product known as gyokuro (Please see Gyokuro vs. Tencha).

Kneading, as you can imagine, helps flatten the leaves, making them easier to devein, for example. The leaves are then grounded on large stone rollers that are commonly seen on Japanese TV. This is, of course, where the name matcha is derived from, meaning "ground tea" in a more direct translation.

What makes the matcha process so unique?

The matcha-producing process is radically different from many other Japanese teas and helps establish matcha as a distinct green tea. With that being said, the idea of matcha and rich chocolate aromas is often associated with higher levels of nutrients. Varying qualities of matcha can be found, from top-quality ceremonial grades to culinary grades. Culinary grades are fantastic for cooking purposes (Please take a moment to review our "Matcha Everything" page here) but are not as rich in the nutrients that help ceremonial matches stick out as premium green tea.

For a much higher-graded matcha, you will not only find the chocolate aroma but also a sweet aftertaste. Perhaps the most obvious product to come from matcha flavors are matcha-flavored KitKat bars. In fact, chocolate and matcha products extend well beyond simple aromas and chocolate bars; they have become a sizeable market and are sought after by many tea lovers (Please see our collection here).

matcha green tea

How do you describe your favorite teas?

Even with the idea of chocolate and sweetness available as descriptions for matcha lovers, this hardly applies to the plethora of other teas that fill your cups. Take a moment and try to describe those flavors. Perhaps share some of the nutritional tea information that you have come across.

This article was originally published in 2022, but updated in 2023.


Related Articles You May Be Interested

25 MATCHA TRIVIA YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT DOES ASTRINGENCY MEAN FOR TEA DRINKING?
WHY IS MATCHA MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER TYPES OF TEA?
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVERING PROCESS FOR MATCHA AND GYOKURO
THE PROCESS BEHIND YOUR CUP OF MATCHA
MATCHA-INFUSED FILIPINO TREATS: PUTO AND PANCIT CANTON COMBO

Get Free Bonus Content

Green Tea and Matcha Books for Bonus

If you have ever thought that Green Tea is an “acquired taste” or that it is “too bitter” to enjoy, we’re here to change your mind! We want everyone to experience the health benefits of Green Tea and show you that this can be an amazing, refreshing, and delicious drink when made correctly. With just a few tips on how to brew this powerful leaf we can change your mind about the taste and enjoyment of drinking Green Tea.

Don’t miss out on the health benefits of tea!

  • Improve health
  • Increase brain function
  • Regulate weight
  • Lower your risk of cancers
  • Reduce risk of heart disease
  • Lowers risk of diabetes

We know that you will love these tips for brewing tea and getting the most flavor and elegance out of every cup.  Sign up for the Free Japanese Green Tea Club and get this great informative manual on brewing green tea. You will learn what it is that makes it one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Sign up for Green Tea Club to Get The Two Books for Free.


Unsubscribe anytime. It's Free!

What is GREEN TEA CLUB?

Sign up free to Green Tea Club to get tips and exclusive articles about how to use your matcha and green tea for a healthy lifestyle. Green Tea Club is hosted by Kei Nishida, Author of Cook with Matcha and Green Tea and CEO of Japanese Green Tea Company.

Get free E-book "Green Tea Science – 12 Scientific Tips for Brewing Green Tea To Taste Better" By Kei Nishida - Value $9.99

Get free E-book "Matcha Lover's 21st Century Recipe Collection" By Kei Nishida (42 pages recipe book)  - Value $9.99

Get immediate access to 10% Off coupon for your first order and access to Exclusive Coupons and Specials - Value $50+

Monthly Giveaways - Value $50+

Access to New Green Tea Recipe and Health Articles - Value $50+

Unsubscribe anytime. It’s free!

What do you think about the article? Please comment below or reply me privately here!





Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Also in Japanese Green Tea and Health

Behind the Scene – How We Made the Homepage Video
Behind the Scene – How We Made the Homepage Video

September 27, 2023

Learn more about the hard work that went into making our appealing homepage video by seeing the process behind its creation.

View full article →

How to Use Ginger with Japanese Green Tea
How to Use Ginger with Japanese Green Tea

September 27, 2023

Taste the delectable blend of Japanese green tea and ginger. Learn how to add a wonderful kick of spice and flavor to your tea.

View full article →

Hojicha Cookie Dough - Three Must-Try Recipes
Hojicha Cookie Dough - Three Must-Try Recipes

September 25, 2023

Discover the unique flavor of Hojicha with these three different cookie dough recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.

View full article →

Steeping Guide
Steeping Guide