Is anyone into drinking Matcha? I fell in love with it a while ago with the (half-sweetened) green tea lattes at Starbucks but now I'm making my own. It's great on its own (as a tea) or added to a smoothie and the health benefits are far higher than just a simple green tea.
Zen Buddhist monks drank it to remain alert and calm during long hours of meditation and it is used in Japanese tea ceremonies.
Japanese tea leaves grow in the shade to increase chlorophyll content. These chlorophyll-rich leaves are then handpicked, steamed, dried and ground into a fine green powder. You then add this powder to water or whisked into warm milk. You can also add it to ice-cream or make sweets or cakes using it.
It comes in different 'grades' and some brands already pre-add sugar so it's best to avoid these and get the good stuff. From there you can sweeten it as you prefer.
Here's some interesting info:
A cancer-fighter, a fat-burner, and much more, matcha leaves other green teas far behind
Every day, countless people throw away valuable antioxidants and minerals. While seemingly unimaginable, thats exactly what happens when you brew a cup of green tea because water can only extract a fraction of green teas benefits. The majority actually remains unused, trapped in the tea leaves. In reality, the only way to truly take advantage of green teas full potential is to consume the entire leaf. Matcha, which means "powdered tea", is made from aged green tea leaves—harvested, steamed and dried. They are later ground into a fine bright green powder, known as Matcha. It is like eating a whole versus a partial food. Unlike other green teas, drinking Matcha is like sucking directly from the leaves and the whole tea plant itself. Therefore, Matcha is much more concentrated in every possible nutrient and more easily absorbed. When common green tea (in a bag) is steeped, only 5-10% of the powerful nutrients are infused into the water. By contrast, Matcha is not steeped, but is a whole plant ground into powder that is blended directly. As such, the powder provides 100% of all the nutrients inherent in the plant. To even begin to match the potency found in a single serving of matcha, you would need to drink at least ten cups of brewed green tea. When it comes to helping you achieve and maintain optimum health, matcha is without equal.
ORAC to the Max: Matcha Is an Antioxidant Powerhouse
One of biggest the buzz words in nutrition, antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Nowadays, a variety of fruits and vegetables are lauded for their antioxidant properties, leading to a host of products with all kinds of claims. But matcha is unparalleled in comparison. Firstly, matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants according to the latest innovation in antioxidant research. Using the testing method known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), experts at Tufts University discovered that matcha possesses an amazing twenty times more so than pomegranates or blueberries. Matchas ORAC rating is a mighty 1300 units per gram, compared to pomegranates 105 units per gram or blueberries 91 units.
Amongst its many benefits, matcha...
Is packed with antioxidantsincluding the powerful EGCg
Boosts metabolism and burns calories
Detoxifies effectively and naturally
Calms and relaxes
Enhances mood and aids in concentration
Provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium
Fights against viruses and bacteria
Is rich in fiber
Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
Does not raise insulin levels
The Catechin EGCg: Matchas Incredible Cancer-Fighting Antioxidant
Even better, matcha also contains a unique, potent class of antioxidant known as catechins, which arent found in other foods. In particular, the catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) provides potent cancer-fighting properties. Most importantly, EGCg and other catechins counteract the effects of free radicals from the likes of pollution, UV rays, radiation, and chemicals, which can lead to cell and DNA damage. Since over 60% of the catechins in matcha are actually EGCg, a daily matcha regimen can help restore and preserve the bodys integral well-being and balance.
Effortless Calm: The Unique Amino Acid L-Theanine
Over a thousand years ago, matcha came to Japan as an aid to meditation practice. During long hours of sitting, monks would drink matcha to remain alert yet calm. Modern science has recently confirmed the lessons of centuries of tradition. Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that actually promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brains functioning. While stress can induce beta wavesan excited, more agitated stateL-Theanine creates alpha waves, which lead to a state of relaxed alertness. And while L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than common black and green teas. As an additional benefit, L-Theanine may help memory and learning and ability all the while inhibiting any possible side-effects from caffeine, a natural component of green tea. Therefore, a bowl of matcha promotes concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy found in coffee. Try matcha as a pick-me-up for the afternoon or anytime you need extra focus.
Energy Booster
One of the most unexpected benefits matcha drinkers experience is a boost of energy through the day. In one study, researchers had thought that this was from the caffeine in matcha, but they found that it was actually the combination of matchas natural properties. Another recent study in particular found that matcha even improved physical endurance by 24%. Even if you arent facing a grueling workout, matcha can help you through the everyday marathon, whether its that project due the next day or getting the kids from school to soccer practice.
Calorie Burner
Already nearly calorie free, matcha is a great addition to a weight loss program by tackling the problem from both sides. It boosts metabolism and burns fat. One recent study even suggested that matcha may help burn calories by four times. At the same time, matcha does not put any stress on the body. It doesnt raise blood pressure or heart rate, making it a safe alternative to questionable quick fixes or pharmaceuticals ridden with side effects.
Detox Deluxe
Green is truly the color of health. Matcha helps to safely cleanse and purge the body of harmful elements. Chlorophyll the element that gives green tea and other plants their signature verdant color is also a powerful detoxifier, helping to eliminate both chemicals and heavy metals from the body. And because matcha is carefully shade-grown, it is substantially richer in chlorophyll than other green teas, making it a superior daily detox.
Is the caffeine different from that in coffee and black tea?
The caffeine in Matcha is alkalizing rather than the opposite—acidic. There is caffeine in Matcha, but it releases into the bloodstream slowly. The time of the release varies, but it is not nearly as harsh as the caffeine rush inherent in coffee and energy drinks. This gradual and consistent release provides the body with just the right amount of caffeine over a longer period of time rather than dumping a huge amount of caffeine into the body all at once. Matcha still yields an immediate boost, but not the extreme rush. The lift is far more appropriate to your energy demand, and can be easily regulated based on that demand. Once again, a blast of too much caffeine results in an acidic state that can harm the stomach lining and arteries over time, taxing the organs and disrupting the body's overall functionality. By contrast, Matcha's caffeine has an alkalizing effect, resulting in a much gentler influence on the stomach, which gradually aids with digestion, healing, cleansing. Matcha gives to your overall balance rather than taking away.
