Matcha: What is it? And what are its benefits?
Ever since people started becoming more aware and health conscious, you might have heard the term matcha being thrown around here and there through a group of friends into the latest health trends or while browsing online.
But what is it? And why is everyone talking about it?
The word matcha when translated means “powdered tea”. It comes from the green tea plant.
When you order a traditional green tea, the leaves are placed into hot water which picks up
some components and nutrients and then they are discarded, and you drink the tea. With
matcha however, you’re drinking the actual leaves in powder form. Usually around a teaspoon of matcha is placed with a third cup of hot water (less than boiled) and whisked with a bamboo brush until it froths.
Unlike regular green tea, matcha is prepared by covering the plants in cloths to give them
shade before they need to be harvested. This gives the leaves a better taste and quality of
texture. The leaves are hand-picked, steamed, then dried and aged (a process that really
richens the flavour). The dried leaves are then ground into matcha.
Because the leaves are ingested whole, matcha has a higher nutrient content than steeped green tea. It’s very rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are like the body’s micro defense weapons that help protect against infections. Not only that, but their chemical compounds help the body slow down aging and prevent chronic diseases!
It’s a miracle plant that comes with a range of benefits:
Protects against heart disease
Helps regulate blood sugar
Reduces blood pressure
Slows down growth of cancer cells
Rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins
A good source of selenium, magnesium, zinc and chromium
With all these benefits, it would be crazy to not integrate it into your daily diet!
When selecting your matcha products, be aware that a lot of the ones on the market are overly
sweetened to “improve” the taste. This comes at the expense of the health benefits. Be sure to
select one that won’t compromise the benefits you gain from integrating it into your diet.