Breakdown of the test:
- Left: One glass filled with water at 140°F
- Right: One glass filled with water at 212°F (boiling temperature)
- We placed one serving of our Teahouse Ceremonial Grade Matcha in both glasses and used our electric frother to blend the drinks
- We recorded a time lapse over 1.5 hours to see if we could capture a noticeable difference in color
- The drink on the left (made with water at 140°F) still has a vibrant green hue, the drink on the right (made wjth water at 212°F) has a noticeable color difference and has a yellow/brown hue 🤯
Watch our Water Temperature Test on Instagram >
The Result
Our Water Temperature Test is a great visual to show how hot water (above 175°F) burns the delicate matcha powder and increases the rate of oxidation. The color change from a vibrant green hue to a dull yellow/brown color is oxidation taking place. Since hot water burns the matcha, it will also invites more bitter notes — no matter the grade you use.
Water Temperature Tips
- Ideal temperature for matcha preparation is 140°F - 175°F
- For iced drinks, use cool or warm water to make your matcha shot. It isn’t necessary to use hot water for a frothy shot
- For hot drinks, make your matcha shot within the ideal temperature range
- At all costs, avoid using boiling water
- We recommend using a temperature-controlled kettle. There are many options available for every budget. If you’re unable to use a temperature-controlled kettle, allow hot or boiling water to cool down before prepping your drink or use a drink thermometer to gauge the temperature of your water.