benefits of matcha
WHAT IS MATCHA?
Matcha is a high quality green tea that has been finely grounded in powder form. It has been used in the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony for centuries and recently it has become more and more popular in the US because of its health benefits. The difference between regular green tea and matcha is that with regular green tea, you brew the leaves in hot water like any but matcha, you are consuming the entire tea leaf, making it one of the most powerful natural sources of antioxidants. There are so many benefits from drinking matcha and it explains why it has always been a staple in Japan for all these years. Here are just a few of the many benefits that matcha can bring to your health.
High in antioxidants
Because matcha is rich in catechins, it contains a concentrated amount of antioxidants (about ten times more than regular green tea!) which may reduce cell damage and lower your risk of several chronic diseases.
supports brain function
Matcha has been shown to improve focus, memory, and alertness. Unlike coffee, matcha contains L-theanine , which alters the effects of caffeine in it, so there is no crash in energy levels or caffeine jitters. Studies also show that drinking matcha daily may help protect against cognitive decline that comes with old age.
helps prevent cancer
Thanks to the polyphenol concentrations and high levels of catechins, studies show that drinking matcha regularly may help lower the risk of several types of cancer.
boost your metabolism and promote weight loss
Green tea extract is known to have the ability to help speed up your metabolism and boost fat burning and matcha comes from the same green tea plant so it has the same effects. Matcha has also been shown to help boost overall athletic performance giving you more stamina for your workouts.
promote heart health and healthy cholesterol levels
Some studies have shown that combined with a healthy diet, drinking green tea or matcha can decrease several heart disease risk factors. It can also lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while keeping the HDL (good) cholesterol levels higher.
IMPROVE SKIN AND HAIR
Because of all the high concentration of antioxidants and other healthy compounds, matcha can support and nourish your skin promoting better blood flow and even helping slowing down the signs of skin aging. It may also protect against hair loss and support healthy hair grow.
organic vs. non-organic
Organic matcha will tend to have a slightly less vibrant green color and less sweet taste than a non-organic matcha but like all organic food, it is simply better for you from a health perspective. The tea plants are grown without pesticides or unnatural chemicals and they also have more of a natural and earthy taste.
ceremonial grade vs. culinary grade
Ceremonial Grade Matcha is made of the youngest tea leaves that have higher concentrations of chlorophyll. Culinary Grade Matcha has a more subdued shade of green that is still beautiful in color as its made of older tea leaves that have had more exposure to sunlight. Because it is referred to as “lower quality” than Ceremonial Grade, the Culinary Grade Matcha is often used for cooking and baking. As far as health benefits, both grades of matcha have similar base nutrient profiles; however, Ceremonial Matcha will have a higher caffeine and l-theanine content which is good for energy and focus.
different ways to enjoy matcha
The traditional way, which is how they drink in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, is to put a teaspoon of matcha powder in a matcha bowl, then pour in some hot water and whisk it (using a bamboo whisk) back and forth in a zigzag pattern until it creates a foamy layer on top. If you whisk in circular motion it will be hard to make foam. That’s why we drink matcha in a bowl and not a cup since the bowl has more room to whisk. Some people don’t like the bitterness of the straight matcha so you can add your choice of steamed milk creating a matcha latte. You can also add some honey, maple syrup, or sugar for a sweeter taste. Matcha can also be incorporated in smoothies and desserts such as cakes, cookies, or chia pudding. My favorite way of drinking matcha is just with steamed milk but I also love adding matcha in my smoothie. Check out my favorite matcha smoothie recipe!
matcha smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup of almond milk (or any kind of milk)
1 heaping teaspoon of matcha powder
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 avocado
a handful of baby spinach
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
I hope you can find a way to incorporate matcha in your life and get all the amazing benefits from it! You can shop all our Matcha related items bellow.
