7 Benefits of

Matcha Green Tea and one Important Caution

1.7K1.5K 76760 55 67

Matcha Green Tea has gained popularity lately, though many modern mentions of Matcha

ignore the rich culture and traditional preparation

that typically accompany matcha tea brewing.

What is Matcha?

• Matcha is a special type of powdered green tea that is grown and produced in Japan (in most cases).

• The green tea leaves are shaded from the sun for the last few weeks of their growth, increasing the chlorophyll content and creating a gorgeous green color.

• Then, the leaves are carefully ground with stone grinding wheels to produce a fine powder.

• The powder can then be used to brew an antioxidant rich frothy green tea or in recipes like smoothies or baking.

• Unlike other types of teas, the green tea powder is not strained out before consuming, so you are consuming the entire leaf, making Matcha more potent than other tea varieties.

• In the Tang Dynasty in China, green tea was powdered and dried into bricks for easy use. People could then break off a small piece of the dried tea brick and stir into hot water. 

• In the 1100s, a Japanese monk brought the idea of powdered tea to Japan, and this eventually evolved into the traditional chanoyu ceremony.

• Though the tradition of drinking powdered green teas has lost popularity in China until recent years, the tradition has persisted in Japan.

Benefits of Matcha

Energy and Calm • Matcha tea is unique because the

process of shading and harvesting increases the content of L-Theanine, an amino acid that helps balance the caffeine.

• While matcha may contain the same caffeine as other types of tea, the L-Theanine is known to create calmness without drowsiness.

Antioxidants • This type of green tea contains over 60x the antioxidants of

spinach and 7x the antioxidants of high quality dark chocolate.

Weight Loss • EGCG, found in high concentrations in Matcha, has been

shown to increase the rate of burning stored fat as energy, as well as decreasing the formation of new fat cells.

Healthy Heart • A 2011 study in the American

Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the catechins in green tea had a significant effect on lowering LDL cholesterol.

Brain Power • The L-Theanine in green tea is known to

help stimulate alpha brain waves. These waves are known for their ability to help increase focus and concentration.

Chlorophyll Source • The process of shading the Matcha leaves creates an increased

amount of Chlorophyll, which some preliminary research has shown may help the body eliminate heavy metals and other harmful buildup.

Skin Health • The same antioxidants that make green

tea protective, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may also help support skin health by reducing inflammation and free radicals that accelerate skin aging.

An important Caution

• Matcha has some amazing benefits, but one important caution and potential downside: lead.

• All green teas, even organically grown ones, contain trace amounts of lead and fluoride. When brewed as traditional green tea, the leaves are removed, and most of the lead is removed with the leaves.

• With Matcha, since the whole leaf is consumed, there is a higher concentration of lead. From everything I’ve read, this is not a reason to avoid this type of tea, since the levels are still low, but I would exercise more caution when pregnant for this reason.

Brewing Matcha

There are two ways to brew, as usucha or koicha. Usucha is a thin tea, while koicha is a thicker tea.

Needed Equipment • A bamboo whisk and spoon (not absolutely necessary, but creates a much smoother and frothier

drink than a regular whisk) - TIP: in a pinch, use a blender. • Fine mesh strainer or sifter • A glass bowl for whisking • Small cups for drinking tea

Matcha Green Tea Recipe• 1 teaspoon Matcha Powder (I get mine here)• 1 cup (8 ounces) water at 175 degrees F

1.Sift the powder into the glass bowl using a fine mesh strainer or sifter.

2.Slowly add the hot water.

3.Whisk with the bamboo whisk in a "w" shape until frothy and well mixed.

4.Drink immediately.

TO Learn more about Matcha Green Tea Powder

and how to use it, Click Here.

Looking for More Wellness Information and Inspiration?

https://www.facebook.com/WellnessMama

https://plus.google.com/+Wellnessmamapage

http://instagram.com/wellnessmama

http://pinterest.com/wellnessmama

http://twitter.com/wellnessmama

https://www.youtube.com/user/katiewellnessmama/