Benefits of Matcha

The history of Chinese green tea dates back to the 8th century, and the method of making tea powder from steamed dried tea leaves became popular in the 12th century. At that time, matcha was discovered by a Japanese monk Myoan Eisai and brought to Japan. Providing a glass of drink to the Buddha was part of everyday temple practice.

Eisai spent most of his life studying Buddhism in China. In 1191, he returned to Japan and brought in tea seeds and Zen Buddhist matcha recipes. The seeds that he brought back from China were widely regarded as the highest quality tea leaves throughout Japan. After that, Eisai planted these seeds on the site of a temple in Kyoto, the home of the Kamakura Shogunate. During the  Kamakura Shogunate, matcha was produced in very limited quantities and was considered a gorgeous status symbol. It became the basis of the sophisticated art of  Japanese tea ceremony or "Chado".

Zen Buddhists have developed new ways to grow green tea. Tencha was developed by growing green tea in the shade. This method is widely known for maximizing the health benefits of matcha. Farmers cover the tea plants and grow matcha 20 to 30 days before harvest to avoid direct sunlight. This increases chlorophyll production, increases amino acid levels, and gives the plant a dark green tint. After harvesting the tea leaves, the stems and veins are removed and crushed into a fine powder called matcha. 

Matcha contains nutrients from the entire tea leaf, so it contains more caffeine and antioxidants than is normally found in green tea.

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Here are the benefits of matcha tea:

1. Rich in antioxidants

Antioxidants help sustain free radicals that can damage cells and cause chronic disease. Matcha is especially rich in catechins called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which have anti-cancer effects.

The tea contains all the nutrients from the whole leaf due to the process of growing. Matcha contains 137 times more catechins than green tea.

2. May promote heart health

Some studies have shown that drinking green tea, which has a  nutrient profile similar to matcha, may help protect against heart disease. Green tea has been shown to lower levels of total LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

3. Boosts Brain Function

Matcha is known to have the highest concentration of L-theanine. L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in the Camellia Sinensis (tea) plant that gives matcha a slightly sweet taste. L-Theanine allows our body to absorb matcha's natural caffeine more slowly and helps avoid the crash energy levels that can occur after caffeine consumption.

4. May help protect the liver

The liver is an essential organ responsible for removing toxins, metabolizing drugs, and processing nutrients. Liver enzymes are proteins that promote chemical reactions in the body. High liver enzyme levels often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. In one study, 80 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease received placebo or 500 mg of green tea extract for 90 days. The results showed that after 12 weeks, liver enzymes in people who took the green tea extract were substantially reduced.

How to store Matcha?

Oxidation breaks down tea nutrients such as catechins and vitamins. Therefore,  matcha should be stored in a closed container.

Once opened, keep matcha powder in an airtight container in the fridge to prevent it from absorbing strong odors.

Keep matcha in the dark: light will take away its abundant chlorophyll. It’s better not to store matcha in a clear or translucent container.

How to prepare matcha?

1. Scoop 1 teaspoon of matcha and sift it into the bowl to remove any lumps.

2. Add a small amount of hot water and whisk until smooth.

3. Add 6 ounces of hot water and whisk again until frothy.

4. Pour into a cup and enjoy.