Powdered tea used in Japan's formal tea ceremony. Top-grade Matcha is abright shade of green. As a rule, the lighter green varieties are sweeter and thedarker ones, more astringent. Matcha completely dissolves in the water whenwell mixed and thus the leaf is consumed in its entirety, providing morenutrients. Matcha is also a popular ingredient in savory dishes, desserts, icecreams and chai.