What is Matcha? Uses, Benefits, and More

Read this phrase while entering a cafe, feeling matcha-ful for the little things in life. Amazed! Those who are listening to this name for the first time must be wondering what Matcha is! It is a green tea known for several benefits. It comes with antioxidant properties and is known to be associated with Japanese cultural practices. Mocha tea's mindfulness, health benefits and the freshness it brings are sufficient to win hearts. One can easily add it to their diet after learning everything about it.

Drinking Matcha Tea - How it Grew Popular?

It was not very long before Matcha started popping up in several beverages, cakes, smoothies, ice cream and more such delicacies. Mocha doughnut is something that will add more to your tastebuds, but you can add adventure to it. Add boiled water to this doughnut and whisk it to create that magical, frothy, nourishing tea. Among several matcha tea health benefits, the way it energizes and brings calmness to one's mind is everyone's favourite. Besides, this matcha green tea is delicious! Japan to America- the journey was quick and is now drunk everywhere!

Everything About Matcha Green Tea

Japanese green tea matcha is made in a very simple way. The dried tea leaves of matcha are ground in a fine texture. Its taste is slightly different from other chai tea a bit bitter, green in colour and sort of like a vegetal taste. The green colour is due to the dark green textures of the Japanese tea leaves. It has been popular forever in Japan, but lately, the news about its health benefits is exploding worldwide.

Green Tea And Matcha - Fair Comparison

Green tea has always won the position of the powerhouse of antioxidants, but matcha is beyond it when it comes to benefits. You must be wondering how! If you want to make a cup of green tea, you need to boil green tea leaves in boiling water and sieve it to get the final cup, whereas, in matcha, you are supposed to whisk the matcha powder into water or milk. You need to drink it hot, and the leaf powder is consumed by the person wholly. The antioxidants in it are consumed completely here, making it healthier. It is known to boost metabolism and might help with reducing blood pressure and heart issues.

Some people claim it might contain caffeine, so how is it healthy? The real catch is here! Matcha has indeed more caffeine than green tea, but you will not experience the buzzy feeling you get when drinking coffee. The reality is you might feel more focused and energetic after drinking it.

Matcha Tea Benefits with Best Matcha Powder

If it is your first time buying matcha, you may end up being confused due to the various brands selling this product. They all are selling it in different quality, but the major difference lies between culinary grand and ceremonial matcha. Ceremonial powder is made with young tea leaves and is pricey. It has a mild taste. Matcha is growing popular in coffee shops; some claim it is the best green tea for weight loss. It is extracted carefully from the Camellia Sinensis Plant, but the unique part is it is grown differently. This can be the reason it has so many nutrients intact in it.

How does Matcha Grow?

Farmers grow it under the shade mostly, and surprisingly, the supply of controlled sunlight helps in increased chlorophyll production. It also helps to boost amino acids and finally develop a dark green colour. Once the harvest is done, farmers use only the leaves to grind into a fine matcha powder, removing the veins and stems.

Matcha is known to have several health benefits, and a few have been listed here:

Antioxidant Rich

Catechins are a plant component found in Matcha tea leaves and are a natural antioxidant. These antioxidants might normalize free radicals, which are harmful and might damage cells and lead to chronic disease. The quantity of catechins is less when this tea is grown, but the moment you add it to the water, it becomes almost three times what it was.

Matcha Tea Might Help To Manage A Healthy Weight

Green tea might help in reducing unwanted fat and take care of your overall well-being. It is always advisable to consult your doctor before switching to any new product, especially if you plan to add it to your daily life. Most people are seen advocating only best green tea for this purpose, but matcha tea also possesses the same compounds. Remember to focus more on your overall well-being and not just losing weight.

Matcha Can Be Prepared Easily

In today's busy world, anything that is simple and quick to make is the first choice of all. Matcha can be enjoyed in several ways, starting with making the normal matcha tea. To do this, add 2-4 grams of matcha powder, approximately two teaspoons, to a cup of hot water. You need to mix it well. One thing that you should not miss is to mix it only with a bamboo whisk for a better experience. Matcha powder can be increased or decreased in the same cup of boiling water as per your preference. The consistency of the tea will vary with the amount of matcha powder you use. Some people also add turmeric to this tea to improve the taste. You can also add it to milk-based food or desserts.

Takeaways

Knowledge of certain facts about matcha tea might help if you are a beginner and planning to explore its taste. The life of matcha tea is somewhere around two months, so try to finish your tea box within the time frame to have a better taste and colour. You will need a whisk to mix your tea as a normal spoon, or the fork will not serve the purpose. A bamboo whisk is always the first preference here, or you can use a steel or electric whisk, too! If you want to drink it regularly for the benefits it serves but do not like its bitter taste, do not think twice before adding a few drops of natural honey or maple syrup. Vibrant flavours and the rich heritage of matcha tea are waiting for you to be sipped. It is so “matcha” better for your well-being!