THE NEW SUPERFOOD: MATCHA
We have known the benefits of tea for a long time but recently we’ve seen a new star arise on the scene - Matcha. This version of tea is booming thanks to its antioxidant and neuroprotective benefits. In this article, we reveal everything you need to know about Matcha so you can decide if it’s for you.
What is Matcha
Matcha was first created by the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty of the 7th to 9th centuries. The art of tea making came to Japan in the 15th century and became a specialty of Zen Monks. Matcha was their favorite. Matcha is a form of green tea that is ground into an extremely fine powder. The word Matcha simply means ‘ground tea’ in Japanese.
Matcha tea comes from the Tencha plant. The leaves of Matcha are grown for eight weeks longer than other teas. This provides them with more chlorophyll and polyphenols than other teas. Matcha is also protected from sunlight in the last four weeks before tea is harvested. Upon being harvested, the leaves are steamed and then separated from the bark and stalks. They are then ground into an extremely fine powder. The extra work and time that goes into making Matcha makes it considerably more expensive than other teas.
Matcha Benefits
Matcha is extremely high in antioxidants. This makes them an excellent fighter against antioxidants and free radical damage. Matcha is especially high in catechins, a class of compounds that help to offset cell damage. In one study, Matcha tea was seen to have 137 times more catechins than other teas.
It has also been seen to be beneficial for liver health, decreasing the risk of liver disease and reducing liver enzyme levels. However, more research is needed to establish how it does so.
Matcha has been seen in a number of studies to have significant cognitive benefits. It has more caffeine than other types of tea and has been seen to be especially beneficial in improving memory, recovery time and attention span.
It is also rich in the amino acid L-theanine, which makes you more focused and alert as well as helping to avoid the energy crash that usually comes with caffeine consumption.
There is also some evidence, based on animal studies, that Matcha may help to prevent cancer and decrease the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. More studies are needed on human subjects in these areas.
How to Prepare Matcha Tea
Traditional Matcha Tea is made by sifting 3-4 grams of the powder into your cup, then adding 60 mls of boiling water. This is then blended with a bamboo whisk. The ratios are not set in stone and can be altered to suit your personal preferences. In addition to the traditional form of preparing Matcha Tea, the powder can be added to your favorite smoothie or even sprinkled over your oatmeal.
Potential Side Effects
There are no known side effects of taking Matcha Tea in a moderate amount. However, taking in too much of it may cause liver problems. Even though there are no set recommendations, we advise limiting yourself to 1-2 cups of Matcha Tea per day.
Wrap Up
Matcha Tea provides all of the benefits of green tea and then some. Its power lies largely in the fact that the entire plant is used and special processing techniques are employed. Switch to Matcha to boost your immune health and antioxidant supply while also promoting brain health.
