A few years ago, I switched almost entirely from coffee to matcha as morning caffeine. Coffee made me nervous; As someone who is already anxious, I didn’t want any more chaos in my brain. Matcha, on the other hand, gave me a milder dose of energy.
Matcha is made from ground green tea leaves; It is a classic East Asian drink, produced mainly in Japan. And it has admirable health benefits: Some studies suggest that normal intake of green tea could reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Green tea is also an antioxidant.
But I had one small hang-up about my new drink of choice: Matcha can be tough to make at home. Even if you buy pre-powdered matcha, you’re likely to find yourself with a chunky, watery mess instead of a nicely flavored latte. Making matcha correctly requires appropriate tools, and there’s a learning curve to how you use them.
Cuzen Matcha Maker promises to correct those user-error-induced defects by taking it from biological leaves to a perfectly whipped cup of freshly ground matcha in less than five minutes. But is the $300 value tag worth it?
The Cuzen comes with 3 small packets of matcha leaves weighing four grams each. The Cuzen matcha comes from Kirishima in Japan, where maximum rainfall and fog are reported throughout the year. According to the brand, this results in well-nourished green tea leaves being offered. More benefits and taste for fitness. Each starter kit includes a premium blend, a signature blend, and a latte blend, which include leaves harvested in other seasons, with varying degrees of umami, bitterness, and vitality.
To begin, place the blades in the ceramic grinder at the top of the machine, then the desired intensity point by clicking the intensity button (1, 2, or 3). You can load the entire package, as the grinder can hold 20 grams of matcha at a time.
Level 1 intensity grinds 1 gram of phyta (1 drink); Level 2 grinds 1. 5 grams (1. 5 shots) and level 3 grinds 2 grams (2 shots). If you are planning to make a latte, start from grades 2 or 3 to get enough flavor intensity for the milk. If you plan to drink your fita neat and only with hot water, point 1 or 2 will offer you enough flavor.
Add room temperature water up to the whisk line of the small glass beaker placed under the grinder, upside down. (A magnet will be hooked to hold the cup in place. )Then press the home button. The device will grind the leaves freshly, then drop the ideal amount of matcha powder (depending on the selected strength point) into the cup, where it will be whisked for several minutes (2 minutes for point 1, 3 minutes for point 2, and four minutes for point 3). Once the Matcha Maker beeps, the whisk will prevent it from moving and you can grab the small cup.
Add the shot of matcha to the drink of your choice: boiling water for a brew, steamed milk for a hot latte, bloodless milk for an iced latte, or even tonic water for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.
The Cuzen can also be used just to grind the matcha leaves. Make sure the machine is off, then press the intensity level button once. The light should turn on, then you’ll need to hold the intensity button until all three lights start to blink. At that point, press start. The machine will distribute 1.5 grams of matcha powder (which you can use to prepare matcha with a traditional whisk set, or cook with) into the cup below.
The ceramic grinder also serves as a storehouse for up to 20 grams of matcha at a time, keeping it sealed at room temperature.
If you’re going to use a classic matcha set, you’ll start by adding about 1/2 teaspoon of matcha to a strainer. Using a small wooden spoon, thoroughly sift the matcha into a small cup, add 1/4 cup of water, and then beat (using a special matcha whisk) into an M shape for at least 30 seconds. Once the matcha is whipped, you can add it to a drink mix of your choice.