A greener cup: Matcha mania takes over Mumbai

Love it or hate it, but you simply can’t ignore matcha. It’s everywhere on social media, with celebrities swearing by its health and beauty benefits. Now, Mumbaikars can get a hands-on taste of the trend through matcha-making workshops across the city. From the classic matcha tea to lattes, salads, ice cream, pancakes, waffles, cakes, and pudding — there’s a whole new world of green to explore.

‘Matcha is great for hair & skin’At these workshops, participants learn the proper techniques of whisking matcha, along with how to make various dishes and drinks using it. They’re also taught how to care for bamboo whisk and other tools. What makes the experience even more exciting are the potential health and beauty benefits of consuming matcha.
Meher Kohli, founder of a matcha bar that conducts workshops, says, “Our beginner-friendly one-hour workshop is a walkthrough of the toolkit required to make the perfect matcha latte at home. It includes a matcha-making kit — the whisking bowl, high-quality bamboo whisk and holder for aftercare, measuring bamboo spoon, and ceremonial matcha powder. Besides the beauty benefits which include great hair and skin, most people are making the switch from coffee to matcha for its anti-inflammatory properties and instant energy without the crash that comes from other caffeinated beverages.”

The idea behind the workshop was to educate people about what good quality matcha is. It’s about understanding how to consume matcha the right way, and what makes it special
– Natasha Hemani, director at a specialty coffee café

‘Each dish is designed to showcase matcha differently’Matcha has become a standout ingredient among Indian consumers in recent years, celebrated for both its vibrant green hue and its roots in traditional Japanese culture. While many associate it with a strong, bitter flavour, chef Rahul Phalke’s workshop aims to challenge that notion and show just how versatile matcha can be — in both sweet and savoury preparations.
Rahul says, “Attendees learn to make three distinct dishes: a rich and creamy matcha panna cotta, soft and fluffy matcha pancakes, and a refreshing iced matcha latte. Each dish is designed to showcase matcha differently — whether it’s infused into dessert or used in a wholesome breakfast item.”

Workshop Essentials
l Ceremonial-grade matcha powder
l Bamboo whisk (chasen)
l Matcha bowl (chawan)
l Bamboo scoop (chashaku)
l Fine sieve
l Hot water

These workshops are immersive and fun. Whether you’re completely new to matcha or a regular drinker, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to use it at home
– Preeta Konduskar, from Mahim

Pics: Tejas Kudtarkar