Matcha green tea has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. If the drinks are not enough, green tea has been routinely featured as a key ingredient in matcha latte, matcha ice cream and more.
The Japanese matcha is a type of powdered green tea, grown in a traditional way. In this method, the tea bushes are covered with bamboo mats to avoid direct sunlight. As a result, the plants produce more amino acids and nutritious bioactive compounds like theanine, caffeine, chlorophyll and various types of catechins. The method also results in a non-bitter taste and the beautiful, vibrant colour of matcha green tea. It's the most aromatic of all types of green teas.
Unsurprisingly, matcha is among the healthiest beverages with a wide array of health benefits. It has a high amount of antioxidants that prevent many diseases like cancer. Regularly drinking matcha promotes a healthy body and mind.
Health benefits of matcha
If you want a healthy caffeine fix in the morning, have a hot cup of matcha. Apart from the caffeine, it will give you a healthy mix of antioxidants that account for 30% of the dry weight of green tea. These polyphenols make matcha much better than vitamin C when it comes to scavenging free radicals.
Notably, it's the theanine content that makes matcha even better than regular tea or green tea. Here are some of the matcha benefits.
1. Fights cancer: The cancer-fighting properties of green tea are well known. The key ingredient of matcha, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), helps in curbing the growth of cancer cells in the body.
2. Improves heart health: A study on rats proved that EGCG in matcha green tea helped reverse the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on heart health. The compound was able to tackle myocardial injury and lipid anomalies. Drinking matcha may therefore help in preventing cardiac inflammation by reducing oxidative stress. EGCG can also improve the functions of heart muscles.
3. Protects brain health: As we age, we stand the risk of our cognitive powers declining, causing memory problems. Regular intake of caffeine in matcha may reduce this risk in women as it may indirectly slow the ageing of the brain. The EGCG fights lipopolysaccharide, which plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Other key benefits of matcha include:
- High in antioxidants
- Protects the liver
- Improves the immune system
- Improves memory
- Has anti-ageing properties
- Regulates insulin secretion
- Strengthens blood vessels
- Reduces stress
- Protects nerve health
- Reduces inflammation in the body
Every 5g of matcha contains the following nutrition
| Nutrient | Measure%(DV) |
| Calories | 329 |
| Carbohydrates | 1% |
| Iron | 47% |
| Vitamin C | 15% |
| Manganese | 150% |
| Vitamin A | 17% |
| Calcium | 2% |
| Fibre | 4% |
Matcha latte recipe
If you are wondering how to use matcha green tea, try this easy matcha latte recipe. You don't need the fancy and expensive matcha tea set with the whisk. With just a cup of tea and a regular whisk, you can make this delicious matcha latte.
1. Start by sifting some matcha powder into a cup.
2. Pour just enough hot water into the powder to create a paste.
3. Use the whisk to create a frothy mixture. There should be no lumps in the paste.
4. Pour hot milk into the foamy mixture slowly. You could use any type of milk from cow milk to coconut milk to almond milk.
5. Add sugar if needed.
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