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Alternative Processes

Toning with Matcha 🍡

Published about 2 years agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

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Toning with Matcha

You either hate it or you love it. ​
But Matcha isn't just for drinking Reader

Why matcha can tone cyanotype

Because it is rich in chlorophyll! ​
Matcha is made from green tea leaves, grown under shade for about three weeks before harvest. This shading process increases chlorophyll levels.
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At this point my question was: would it produce a similar result to green tea toning? Well, no. And I can prove it.

How to do it

Start by adding Matcha to water. 1 to 2 teaspoons (2 to 4 grams) of matcha powder to approximately 70 to 100 ml of water. I followed what I usually do for drinking and added water between 70Β°C and 85Β°C (158Β°F to 185Β°F). Let it sit for a bit.

High-quality matcha should have a bright green color and will work better for toning because of high chlorophyll content. Lower quality matcha has a duller, more brownish-green color (probably like mine here)
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​The process is the same: ​
I bleached with sodium carbonate for about 15 minutes.
Then toned in a matcha bath for 2-3 hours.

and.. It has a pink undertone!

Yes it does. Not sure if you can perceive it from this scan, but I was over the moon when I saw it.

A comparison:

Same digital negative, emulsion and bleach.

Rooibos Tea: Moderate contrast, with a smooth gradient between the light and dark areas, gentle depth. Warm tonality, soft sepia, antique look with orange-brown undertone.

Green Tea: The contrast is slightly higher than the Rooibos Tea print, offering more definition especially around the facial features. Cooler, more neutral tones, greenish-grey undertone.​
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​Matcha: The contrast in the Matcha print is the most pronounced among the three, with deep shadows and well-defined highlights. Rich, deep color and saturation, very vibrant with a pinky undertone.

Via Camillo Cavour Florence, Tuscany , Florence, IT 50129
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