What is Matcha?
- helenrussell83
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
A beginner's guide to ceremonial grade matcha (and where to try it in Peterborough and Huntingdonshire)
Matcha has become one of the UK's fastest-growing speciality drinks, appearing on café menus, across social media and in the hands of everyone from busy professionals to fitness enthusiasts. But despite its popularity, many people are still asking the same question:
What exactly is matcha?
At Matcha & Bean, we're passionate about introducing people across Sawtry, Huntingdonshire, Peterborough and the surrounding villages to premium ceremonial-grade matcha. Every drink we serve is made using ceremonial-grade matcha, traditionally hand-whisked to create a smooth, vibrant drink that's as enjoyable to make as it is to drink.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown Japanese green tea leaves. Unlike traditional green tea, where the leaves are steeped in hot water and then discarded, matcha is whisked directly into water or milk, meaning you drink the entire tea leaf.
That one difference changes everything.
Because you're consuming the whole leaf, matcha delivers a richer flavour, a naturally vibrant green colour and a smoother, creamier texture than regular green tea. When prepared correctly, good ceremonial-grade matcha has a delicate balance of gentle sweetness, fresh vegetal notes and a subtle savoury flavour known as umami.
It shouldn't taste bitter or harsh—in fact, one of our favourite moments at Matcha & Bean is watching someone try premium matcha for the first time and realise it tastes nothing like they expected.
Why is Matcha So Popular?
There's a reason matcha has become one of the UK's favourite speciality drinks. People love it because it offers something a little different. It's beautifully vibrant, naturally energising and incredibly versatile. Whether you enjoy it traditionally with hot water, over ice with milk or as part of a creative seasonal drink, matcha feels both indulgent and refreshing.
At Matcha & Bean, some of our most popular drinks include our Classic Iced Matcha, Strawberry Matcha, Raspberry Ripple Matcha and our indulgent Signature Biscoff Matcha. Every drink starts with the same foundation—premium ceremonial-grade matcha, carefully hand-whisked before being combined with quality ingredients.
What makes matcha different from green tea?
Although both come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), the way they're grown and prepared is completely different.
Traditional green tea is made by steeping leaves in hot water before removing them. Matcha is made by grinding whole tea leaves into an ultra-fine powder that is whisked directly into the drink.
That means you experience the flavour, colour and naturally occurring nutrients from the whole leaf rather than simply extracting them during brewing.
High-quality ceremonial-grade matcha is recognised by its:
Vibrant emerald green colour
Silky, fine powder
Fresh, grassy aroma
Smooth, creamy mouthfeel
Naturally balanced flavour with very little bitterness
How is ceremonial grade matcha made?
Exceptional matcha starts long before the leaves are harvested.
Several weeks before picking, the tea plants are shaded from direct sunlight. This slows their growth, encouraging the leaves to produce more chlorophyll and naturally
occurring amino acids, including L-theanine. The result is the vivid green colour and smooth, rounded flavour that premium matcha is known for.
Only the youngest, most tender leaves are selected for ceremonial-grade matcha. After harvesting, they're gently steamed to preserve their freshness before the stems and veins are removed. The remaining leaf material, known as tencha, is then slowly stone-ground into the fine powder used to make authentic matcha.
It's a careful, time-consuming process—but it's one of the reasons ceremonial-grade matcha tastes so refined.
Understanding the different grades of ceremonial grade matcha
Not all matcha is created equally.
The grade simply reflects how the matcha is intended to be used.
Ceremonial Grade is the highest quality and is designed to be enjoyed as a drink. It's naturally sweet, smooth and vibrant.
Premium Grade is excellent for everyday drinking and works well in lattes and iced drinks.
Culinary Grade has a stronger flavour and is generally used in baking, desserts and smoothies where it's combined with other ingredients.
At Matcha & Bean, we believe every customer deserves the very best experience, which is why every single matcha drink we serve is made using ceremonial-grade matcha.
Why we chose PerfectTed ceremonial grade matcha
Choosing the right matcha was one of the most important decisions we made when launching Matcha & Bean.
After researching suppliers and tasting different varieties, we chose PerfectTed ceremonial-grade matcha, sourced primarily from Uji, Japan—one of the world's most
respected matcha-growing regions.
Its smooth flavour, vibrant colour and exceptional consistency allow us to create drinks we're genuinely proud to serve, whether you're ordering a traditional matcha, a creamy latte or one of our signature iced specials.
The health benefits of matcha
Many people first discover matcha because of its flavour, but they continue drinking it because it fits naturally into a balanced lifestyle.
Matcha contains naturally occurring antioxidants known as catechins, along with caffeine and L-theanine—an amino acid found in green tea.
Many people describe the combination as providing a smoother, more sustained energy than coffee, although everyone's experience is different.
While matcha isn't a miracle drink or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, it's easy to see why it's become such a popular daily ritual for people looking for a delicious alternative to their usual coffee.
How can you try a 'Matcha and Bean' matcha?
If you've been searching for matcha near Peterborough, matcha in Huntingdonshire or wondering where to try ceremonial-grade matcha for the first time, we'd love to welcome you to Matcha & Bean.
Based in Sawtry, our beautifully designed mobile matcha and coffee trailer travels across Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and the surrounding villages, serving handcrafted drinks at:
Farmers' markets
Community events
Food festivals
Sporting events
Private celebrations
Weddings
Corporate events
Business parks and workplaces
Follow our social media pages to find out where Matcha and Bean will be each month, so that you can try one of our delivious matcha drinks!
Instagram: @matchaandbeanpod
Facebook: Matcha and Bean Pod Sawtry
TikTok: Matcha and Bean Pod
Corporate Events and Workplace Visits
Looking for a unique way to treat your team? Our mobile trailer brings premium ceremonial-grade matcha, artisan coffee and homemade cakes directly to your workplace.
From employee appreciation days and staff wellbeing events to product launches, client hospitality, networking events and company celebrations, we create a memorable café experience without your team needing to leave the office.
We also offer free workplace visits across Peterborough and Huntingdonshire. Because our trailer operates completely off-grid, we don't need external power or noisy generators—and there's no cost to your business. Employees simply purchase the drinks they'd like to enjoy.
Private Hire
Planning a wedding, birthday, baby shower or special celebration? Our mobile matcha and coffee trailer offers something a little different.
Alongside beautifully handcrafted ceremonial-grade matcha, we also serve artisan espresso-based coffees using locally roasted beans from Coffee World in Milton, Cambridgeshire, plus homemade cakes and sweet treats.
It's a premium café experience your guests will remember long after the event has finished.
Ready to try our matcha?
Reading about matcha is one thing—but tasting it is something else entirely. Whether you're curious to try your very first matcha, searching for the best matcha near Peterborough, or looking to hire a mobile matcha and coffee trailer for your next event, we'd love to meet you.
Keep an eye on our social media to see where Matcha & Bean will be next, or get in touch to book us for your wedding, workplace, corporate event or private celebration.
Sips. Smiles. Repeat.
Instagram: @matchaandbeanpod
Facebook: Matcha and Bean Pod Sawtry
TikTok: Matcha and Bean Pod
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