Matcha is a type of green tea made by taking young tea leaves and grinding them into a bright green powder. The powder is then whisked with hot water. This is different from regular green tea, where the leaves are infused in water, then removed. Drinking brewed green tea “is a bit like boiling spinach, throwing away the spinach and just drinking the water,” says Louise Cheadle, co-author of The Book of Matcha and co-owner of the tea company teapigs. “You will get some of the nutrients, but you’re throwing away the best bit.” With matcha, you’re drinking the whole tea leaves.
Matcha, like other green teas, contains a class of antioxidants called catechins. Matcha is high in a catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is believed to have cancer-fighting effects on the body. Studies have linked green tea to a variety of health benefits, like helping to prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer, and even encouraging weight loss. However, it’s important to note that much of this research isn’t from clinical trials that show green tea causes a benefit. Instead, it’s largely from population-based studies, where researchers look at groups of people who drink green tea and compare their health outcomes to groups that don’t drink it. Studies have shown associations between tea and better health, but causation is not yet proven. Matcha is even less studied than brewed green tea.
When you drink matcha you ingest the entire leaf and receive 100% of the nutrients of the leaf Matcha powdered green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea.
Some of the benefits you gain by drinking matcha tea are the following:
It has antioxidants including the powerful EGCg, Boosts metabolism and burns calories
Detoxifies effectively and naturally, Calms the mind and relaxes the body
Is rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins, Enhances mood and aids in concentration
Provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium, Prevents disease
Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar. A friend of mine is a chef specializing in Asian food and she gave me this bag of matcha tea. Since it is summer and really hot around here I thought instead of making tea to make a cake. A mug cake to be more specific that requires no oven just microwave and can be make in just few minutes. Delicious, healthy and fuss free what more can you ask?
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp + 1 tsp milk
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp matcha tea powder
- 3 tbsp chocolate drops
- In a big mug mix all the ingredients to incorporate.
- Place the mug in the microwave and bake for three minutes in the higher scale.
- Remove from microwave, garnish with chocolate flakes and serve.
- ¼ φλ. αλεύρι + 2 κ.σ.
- 5 κ.σ. ζάχαρη
- 1 αυγό
- 3 κ.σ. + 1 κ.γ. γάλα
- 3 κ.σ. σησαμέλαιο ή οποιοδήποτε άλλο σπορέλαιο
- ¼ κ.γ. baking powder
- 1 κ.γ. τσάι σκόνη Μάτσα
- 3 κ.σ. σταγόνες σοκολάτας
- Βάζουμε όλα τα υλικά ή σε μία πολύ μεγάλη κούπα ή σε ένα μπολ και ανακατεύουμε να ενσωματωθούν.
- Αν τα έχουμε βάλει στην κούπα τη βάζουμε στο φούρνο μικροκυμάτων για τρία λεπτά στην ψηλή σκάλα και ψήνουμε.
- Αν τα ανακατέψουμε σε μπολ, μοιράζουμε το μίγμα σε δύο μικρότερες κούπες και ψήνουμε για δύο λεπτά στο φούρνο μικροκυμάτων στην ψηλή σκάλα.
- Αφήνουμε λίγο να κρυώσει, γαρνίρουμε με τριμμένη σοκολάτα και σερβίρουμε.