Matcha, also called matcha green tea, is made from shade grown green tea leaves. The plants used for matcha is botanically called camellia sinensis, and they are shade grown for three to four weeks before harvest. The shade-grown green tea leaves produce more theanine. After the harvest, the leaves are steamed to deactivate enzymes, then they are dried and the stems and veins are removed, after that they are grinded or milled into powder.