Most of us know that there are huge benefits to drinking green tea but there is a newer and better way of drinking this green tea that has so many more health benefits; MATCHA powder.
What is the difference between green tea and matcha powder?
They are actually both made of the same plant; Camellia Sinensis but whilst we usually drink green tea in tea bags where the leaves are left to infuse for 5 minutes or so but never consumed, matcha powder is finely ground whole green tea leaves and you spoon the powder into hot water and are therefore consuming the whole leaf along with all the health benefits that come with it.
Matcha is 100% green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder.
Green tea goes through a longer processing method and leaves are usually left in the sun to dry however matcha leaves are steamed, stemmed, and de-vined before being stone-ground into a very fine powder. The powder is then stored away from light and oxygen to increase the levels of chlorophyll and amino acids resulting in increased antioxidant properties and a brighter green colour.
In terms of taste, green tea is definitely a little more bitter whilst matcha tea has a creamier texture and sweeter taste and in my opinion is easier to drink without adding other ingredients. I’m not going to lie to you…both still have a slightly grassy undertone but you get used to it.
I usually drink it pure with hot (but not boiling) water, however it’s also lovely with a splash of coconut milk and a smidge of honey if you fancy something slightly sweeter.
Benefits of Drinking Matcha Tea
💚 137 x more antioxidants than normal green tea (antioxidants protect our cells from free radicals).
💚 Only has the same amount of caffeine as half a cup of coffee.
💚 The caffeine is softer and more calming and whilst you get a buzz from coffee, you get a more gentle form of energy from matcha – it’s a cleaner form of energy and you don’t get the side effects that coffee can sometimes bring such as anxiety, nervousness and tension.
💚 A lot of the energy you get from matcha is from the nutrients rather than the caffeine content.
💚 Matcha promotes focus and concentration and is used by Buddhist monks before and during meditation to help them relax whilst staying alert.
💚 Contains L-theanine and helps with the production of dopamine and serotonin therefore enhancing our mood.
💚 Increases our metabolism and helps the body burn fat faster and more effectively without nasty side effects such as increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
💚 Fortifies the immune system due to the vitamins within it; potassium, calcium, vitamins A & C, iron and protein.
💚 Powerful detoxifier capable of naturally removing heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body.
💚 Improves cholesterol levels and lowers chances of heart disease.
So as you can see, there are lots of good reasons to start drinking matcha tea
…but as with everything… moderation is key
❤
The recommended daily intake is between 0.5-2 teaspoons per day and when buying matcha tea, look for organic, ceremonial grade tea made in either Japan or China.
I bought Mighty Matcha from Amazon and absolutely love it ❤
Here’s a guide to making Matcha Tea properly.
Happy healthy matcha drinking lovelies ❤
With love, Tash x
Hi Tash…Nice post….Sally and I also did a post on Matcha a little while ago with recipes..Thank you for the follow 🙂
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Ah fab! I’ll have a look for that 😍 thanks lovely xxx
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