Matcha Tea

Did you know that matcha tea is 137 times more potent than any other green tea ? Shocking, but it’s true! In this article, we’ll show you why matcha tea is a Japanese favorite and why you should enjoy a cup as soon as possible. And if add fried rice to this powder, you get Genmaicha tea.

What Is Matcha Tea?

Matcha tea is a Japanese concentrated green tea powder gotten from ground matcha leaves. It is slightly darker than any other kind of green tea due to its high chlorophyll content. In the production of this type of tea, the entire leaf is crushed to powder after the stem and veins are taken out.

Benefits Of Matcha Tea

More people are starting to see this antioxidant-packed tea for the gem it truly is. Let’s talk about its benefits, and you’ll see why we love this tea.

• It Boosts Brain Function: Matcha tea contains caffeine and L-theanine, which can improve certain brain functions such as alertness, response time, attention span, and memory. L-theanine is also known to reduce stress levels and enhance relaxation.
• Anti-Aging Function: The high level of antioxidants in matcha green tea helps combat the effects of free radicals, which cause aging. As a result, matcha tea drinkers are guaranteed to look years younger than their peers who don’t drink green tea at all.
• Boosts Metabolism: Studies show that drinkers of this type of tea have about 35% higher metabolic rates than non-drinkers of matcha tea. With a higher metabolism, you’re able to lose and maintain your preferred weight.
• Improves Liver Function: The primary function of the liver is to regulate chemical levels and flush out toxins in the body. An analysis of 15 studies from PubMed Central showed that drinking green tea is linked to a lower risk of liver disease.
• Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: The World Health Organization has reported that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, taking nearly 17.9 million lives every year. But green tea, due to its catechin content, can improve heart health and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases to a large extent.

Origin, Regions of Growing

Although it originated in China, matcha tea has been popular in Japanese culture for over 800 years. There are two major regions where matcha is grown in Japan; Nishio city in Aichi and Uji City in Kyoto. These two regions account for over 80% of the matcha produced in Japan and exported to different parts of the world. Matcha plants are grown under shade for about three weeks before harvest to reduce the rate of photosynthesis and increase chlorophyll production. After harvest, the raw tea leaves are steamed and dried, the stems and veins are taken out, and the final leaf product is ground to make the matcha green tea powder. The best quality is stone-ground.

Types of Matcha Tea

It is classified into two; culinary grade matcha tea and ceremonial grade matcha tea. This section describes each of the varieties in detail and what makes them distinct from each other.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea

Ceremonial grade matcha tea is intended for tea ceremonies. The Japanese regard tea ceremonies as sacred, so the matcha used is of greater quality and has a subtle flavor. Ceremonial grade tea is consumed on its own, just like plain green tea.

Culinary-Grade Matcha Tea

Culinary-grade matcha, also known as ingredient-grade matcha, has a slightly lower quality than the ceremonial one. It’s designed to be used as an ingredient, added to food such as smoothies, lattes, pastries, and other confections. Because this type of matcha tea is added to other foods, it has a bolder flavor that can be balanced when mixed with other ingredients. Overall, the difference between both types of matcha green tea is the purpose they serve and the intensity of their flavors.

What To Look for In a Matcha Tea

Although matcha tea is now considered a “superfood” by many standards, good-quality tea is not sold everywhere. There are certain things you should look out for when shopping for your tea to help you purchase the best matcha tea ever.

Origin

As we have stated earlier, the best matcha tea is grown and processed in Japan. Other countries might do a reasonably good job but not as meticulous as the Japanese farmers. So, ensure that your matcha green tea powder has a label that shows ‘Made in Japan.

Vibrant Color

When it comes to matcha tea, the greener, the better. Matcha leaves typically have a more vibrant/slightly darker hue compared to other green teas. However, color may vary depending on whether it is ceremonial or culinary-grade matcha.

Texture

Premium matcha tea is as fine as it gets. The stone-grinding process of creating matcha green tea powder leaves little to no room for grainy matcha clumps. Good matcha tea should be as fine and smooth as cornstarch, but poor-quality matcha may be granular or coarse.

Pricing

The best matcha tea is not as cheap as other green teas. Even culinary matcha is less expensive than ceremonial matcha tea, but make sure your organic matcha green tea aligns with your budget.

Best Matcha Tea for You

Before choosing the finest matcha tea, you have to decide what purpose you want it to serve. If you intend to use matcha powder as an ingredient to add to your lattes, confections, or pastries, then the culinary-based matcha is your best bet. But if you’re a regular tea drinker, who likes to host tea ceremonies, the ceremonial organic matcha green tea is just right for you.

Regular consumption of this green tea does not only help you relax but also boosts your immune system better than any other tea. With matcha, you’re sure of getting all the nutritional value your body needs at an affordable price.

FAQ

Is green tea matcha good for you?

Matcha green tea is good for everyone, you inclusive. Some matcha tea benefits are easy weight loss, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, improved brain and liver function. It also has anti-aging properties.

Does matcha tea have caffeine?

Matcha tea has a higher level of caffeine compared to other green teas. However, its L-theanine content doesn’t leave you feeling restless but instead introduces calm energy into your body.

What does matcha tea taste like?

Matcha tea has a vegetal flavor, slightly bitter taste, with hints of sweetness. Ceremonial-grade matcha green tea has a nuanced flavor, so it’s okay to drink as a standalone, but ingredient-grade matcha tea has a stronger flavor.

How is matcha different from green tea?

Matcha tea is different from regular green tea in its cultivation and processing. Matcha tea is shade-grown, and the entire leaf is ground with a stone- after destemming. However, green tea is made by steaming, then pan-frying the tea leaves.

How much does the best matcha powder cost?

The best matcha tea is slightly more expensive than your regular green tea. Organic matcha green tea typically costs between $24 and $30. At the same time, other types of matcha might be a little less expensive.

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