Matcha is a special type of Japanese green tea that is made in the Japanese provinces of Nishio and Uji.
Nowadays it is the most wanted drink in the world because of its healing properties.
Japanese drink it on special occasions. It is a drink that is among the top world teas.
Matcha has a specific nutty taste with a slightly bitter note. The greener is the tea the stronger flavor it has.
Where to buy it?
You have many options when it gets to purchasing Matcha. You can buy it in supermarkets, department stores or online.
One note here, if you want to buy a quality Matcha tea then you should be aware that tea bought in Supermarket won’t be the same quality as bought from other sellers.
Your tea should have a bright green color and should be expensive. You can choose among different sellers and products that have descriptions and information.
Best Matcha tea is produced in Japan but you can choose between Taiwan or Chinese type as well.
Japanese prepare it in the traditional way. Buddhist monks improve their concentration by drinking it and clear their thoughts after long meditations.
This isn’t a tea that we are used to. It is a green powder that is grounded from green tea leaves.
The production process
The production process of this tea starts several weeks before the leaves are ready to harvest. Tea trees are covered with tarpaulins so they are protected from direct sunlight.
This slows their growth; leaves retain a lot of chlorophyll which is also reflected in the vivid green color.
Harvested leaves are treated with steam to dry and then they remove any stems and impurities. It is more expensive than other teas due to the low and demanding production process.
The benefits
Matcha green tea powder contains a lot of vitamin C and has 5x more caffeine than coffee.
By drinking it you consume whole leaves and not only the extract from the leaves. This way you consume a much larger amount of antioxidants.
Just one cup contains a full dose of potassium, vitamins A and C, a bunch of protein and calcium. It is absolutely necessary to drink it freshly prepared; otherwise, it will lose all ‘magical’ properties.
Catechins in the tea have antibiotic properties that improve general health.
With one cup, you consume plentiful amounts of potassium, vitamins A and C, iron, protein, and calcium, and thereby improve the functioning of the immune system.
Researchers have also confirmed an extremely positive effect of the drink on lowering bad cholesterol in the blood.
Protects cardiovascular system
It has been shown that people who enjoy it are 11 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
The active ingredients in the tea should also assist in preventing the attack of HIV on human T-cells.
Matcha allows that monks cross in a higher state of consciousness because of the amino acid L-theanine.
Improves the mood
It stimulates the production of alpha brain waves which are responsible for the waking and at the same time relaxed state.
Moreover, it encourages the formation of dopamine and serotonin which improves mood, memory, and concentration.
Detox
If you are looking for a detox, you should definitely choose matcha.
Green tea leaves are full of chlorophyll which acts as a natural drain of heavy metals and toxins from the body.
It is proven that it is a very good ally in weight loss as it stimulates the metabolism and helps the body burn fat 4x faster than normal.
We have a tone of matcha tea benefits and these are just one of them:
- It accelerates metabolism
- It helps the body to burn fat, supposedly four times faster than the normal way
- Doesn’t accelerate the heart rate nor increases blood pressure
- Relaxes
- Improves concentration and memory
- Increases energy levels and endurance
- Helps burn calories
- Cleans the body
- Successfully fights against cholesterol, etc.
- It has 100 times more valuable antioxidant EGCG than other foods and drinks, which is the strongest weapon against cancer
- This cup of green tea contains five times more antioxidants than any other food
Making the tea
Matcha is definitely best to prepare in the Matcha bowl with a whisk and spoon made of bamboo.
Use 1-2 tablespoons of powder (1-2 g) and pour about 100 ml of hot water on the powder.
The water must have 80 degrees max and 60 degrees min so you boil the water and cool it down to the recommended temperature.
The tea must be immediately beat with a bamboo whisk to foam. Mix it in the shape of the letter W.
The whisk shouldn’t touch the bottom of the cup. If you don’t want lumps in your drink; then sieve the powder before using it.
You can use a small battery whisk for frothing milk instead of a bamboo whisk.
Matcha tea powder for cooking
You can use the powder in the kitchen also. It is also used for cooking and baking. For example, use it for a marble cake as a substitute for cocoa.
You can add the powder in the dough for cupcakes or muffins. Add 1-2 teaspoons of powder in the dough and your dessert will have a beautiful green color.
You can also add it to the sponge cake and in the cream for a cake. Use your imagination and surprise your family and friends.
Drink the most popular tea
Are you curious about how does it taste like? You are not the only one.
This tea is very powerful and has many health benefits. It will purify your body from toxins and also protect you from modern diseases.
Matcha has 5x more caffeine than coffee but it won’t affect your heart and blood pressure. This is wonderful news because many people prefer decaf teas just because of the caffeine effect.
Caffeine should raise your heartbeat and blood pressure but with this tea, you shouldn’t experience it.
So you can enjoy your “greeny” tea on your sofa when relaxing before bedtime.
You can use best matcha powder in desserts too, adding it in cakes, doughs, smoothies, creams, etc.
There is no limit to its usage. More and more people enjoy this powerful and popular drink. Reveal the secret of Matcha power yourself!
