抹茶的海苔味? (Matcha seaweed flavor?)

文: TSUKIMI JAPAN
最後更新: 2025/NOV/12

(English below)

「抹茶有點像海苔類食物的味道」指的是，在品嘗抹茶時會感受到類似海苔的鮮味或香氣。
這並不是因為抹茶中加入了海苔，而是抹茶本身自然風味的一部分。

為什麼抹茶會讓人覺得像海苔？

1. 鮮味(Umami)成分相似
抹茶與海苔都含有豐富的胺基酸，這些物質會帶來相似的「鮮味」，因此容易讓人聯想到海苔的味道。

2. 海苔般的香氣(覆香)
高品質的抹茶常帶有海苔般的青香。
抹茶在採收前經過遮光栽培，使葉綠素與胺基酸含量增加，形成獨特的「覆い香」，這種香氣自然帶有海苔般的氣息。

歐美地區的常見誤解

味覺喜好因人而異，而生活背景是重要因素之一。
在亞洲料理中，海苔、昆布等海菜類食材十分常見，因此多數人能輕易辨識其香味與鮮味。

然而在歐美等西方國家，許多人較不熟悉海菜類食材的風味。
當他們品嚐抹茶中「鮮味＋海苔氣息」時，常會誤以為是一種 「海水味」或低品質。

實際上，這並不是海水味，而是日本茶特有的
鮮味（Umami）與海苔味（Seaweed flavor） 所形成的自然風味。

哪些抹茶較容易出現這種風味？

  • 中高級以上、鮮味較突出的抹茶
  • 重視「鮮味」的茶廠或產區所生產的抹茶

 

總結

抹茶中出現的「海苔感」源自其強烈的鮮味與自然的海苔香氣。
而在西方，由於飲食文化差異，這種風味常被誤解為「海水味」。

 

English Version:

“Matcha can taste somewhat like seaweed” refers to the sensation of experiencing a flavor or aroma similar to seaweed when drinking matcha.
This does not mean that seaweed has been added; it is a natural characteristic of matcha itself.

Why does matcha sometimes taste like seaweed?

1. Similar umami components
Both matcha and seaweed contain abundant amino acids, which contribute to a similar umami taste.
This similarity can make the flavor of matcha remind people of seaweed.

2. Seaweed-like aroma (Ooi-ka /覆い香)
High-quality matcha often has a green, seaweed-like aroma.
Before harvesting, the tea leaves are shaded, which increases chlorophyll and amino acid levels, creating a unique “Ooi-ka” fragrance.
This aroma naturally resembles the scent of seaweed.

Common misconceptions in Western countries

Taste preferences vary among individuals, and cultural background plays an important role.
In Asian cuisine, seaweed, kombu, and other sea vegetables are widely used, so many people can easily recognize their flavor and aroma.

However, in Western countries, many people are less familiar with sea vegetables.
When they taste matcha with umami and seaweed-like notes, they often mistakenly perceive it as a “sea water”, salty ocean flavor, or low-quality.

In reality, this is not a sea water taste, but a natural flavor created by the unique umami and seaweed-like aroma of Japanese tea.

Which matcha tends to have this flavor?

  • Medium to high-grade matcha with pronounced umami
  • Matcha produced by tea makers or regions that emphasize umami flavor

Summary

The “seaweed-like” note in matcha comes from its strong umami and natural seaweed-like aroma.
In Western countries, due to cultural differences, this flavor is often misunderstood as a “sea water taste.”