9 Benefits of Matcha and How to Use It

Matcha tea is all the rage these days, but do you know why that is? In this post, we'll talk about the amazing benefits of matcha powder, plus I'll share how to enjoy this superfood drink so you can incorporate it into your daily routine.

I'm sure you've been hearing about matcha powder for awhile now–it's used as a drink, of course, but people are incorporating it into all sorts of things–desserts, snacks, and more. 

Once you find out why matcha is so good for you, you'll see why its popularity has grown.

What Is Matcha?

The Japanese word “matcha” literally means “powdered tea.”

Matcha Green Tea is a traditional tea that was consumed by Monks to improve mental clarity.

The Matcha plant is grown in the shade and contains high amounts of chlorophyll which is good for natural detoxification. The leaves are then harvested and ground into a powder.

The tea is special because the powder is mixed into water and not brewed like most teas. This way you get all extra health benefits from the leaves and fiber too.

One Cup of Matcha Green Tea has 10 times the nutritional value of one cup of regular green tea.

Just like regular green tea, Matcha Green tea does contain caffeine. The actual caffeine amount will change based on how much powder you use. Your cup could contain from 34 to about 68mg, whether you use ½ teaspoon or 1 teaspoon.  Because of the calming effects noted below, however, some say you don't get that “caffeine crash” after consuming green tea.

What Does Matcha Taste Like?

It has several layers of flavors from a sweet to a bitter, and a rich “healthy” taste too.

You want to make sure you get a good quality brand because the quality will change the flavor. Usually you can get the best price in your local Asian markets.

Benefits of Matcha

High in Antioxidants

Matcha is a great source of catechin polyphenols. Catechins are the most potent and beneficial. These are special antioxidants that aren't found in any other foods.

Antioxidants are known to help protect us from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and keep us looking young and beautiful. The more antioxidants you eat, the better prepared your body can be to fight off infections and diseases, and just simply feel better.

Check out the amount of antioxidants in Matcha vs common antioxidant “superfoods”:

• 6.2 times more antioxidants than Goji Berries
• 7 times more antioxidants than Dark Chocolate
• 17 times more antioxidants than Wild Blueberries
• 60 times more antioxidants than Spinach

So you can feel really good about drinking matcha but also eating foods with matcha in them, like this easy and delicious Matcha Bark (source).

Calming and Improves Focus

Matcha contains the amino acid L-theanine that is known to relax the mind and improve focus. L-Theanine helps in the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two work together to enhance mood, improve memory, and promote better concentration.

This tea can also be a great way to start your day with a focused mind ready to tackle the problems of the world. Drinking this may help you focus for a big test or presentation at work.

Instead of drinking a cup of coffee in the afternoon, this would be a great drink to grab to push you through the rest of the day (source and source).

High in Fiber

One of the many benefits of matcha is that it is high in fiber. Fiber helps you stay full between meals and can help stabilize blood sugars. Fiber can also be a good thing to help you stay regular and keep your bowels moving (source).

Removes Toxins

Because Matcha tea is high in chlorophyll, it is a great way to detox naturally. Natural detox is a great way to keep our liver healthy and working properly. We try to avoid toxins in our environment and foods, but you just can't avoid everything. I like to take chlorophyll tablets too to increase my intake (source and source).

This post on 7 Easy Ways to Remove Toxins from your life is helpful to keep the problem from getting too out of hand.

Helps Burn Calories

Matcha tea is considered a thermogenic food which can improve your resting metabolism and help speed up your metabolism naturally. Just like how coconut oil can increase your BMR and help you lose weight naturally.

Matcha helps you burn calories without even trying (source).

Increases Energy Naturally

Drinking Matcha increases your energy naturally because of all the vitamins and minerals that help your body function at its best. This is what makes it the perfect drink to get you going in the mornings and keep you going in the afternoon.

It does have some natural caffeine (less than a cup of coffee). The extra vitamins in matcha tea also help increase your energy levels.

Helps Stabilize Blood Sugar, Lowers Cholesterol and Improved Blood Pressure

A preliminary study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2009 showed in tests on rats with type 2 diabetes that the rats receiving matcha demonstrated decreased levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.

Matcha also seemed to protect the rats from liver and kidney damage (source).

Boost Brain Performance

Components in matcha have been shown to increase concentration and mental performance (source).

Great for Skin

The components of matcha are great for your skin as well (source).

What About Radiation in Matcha?

There are so many benefits of matcha that it's tempting to want to have this amazing drink. However, due to the Fukushima accident in Japan, there are some concerns about radiation and how matcha might be contaminated.

It's a sensitive issue, and a complicated one, but one that should be addressed. This article goes into a lot of detail about how to think about this issue, with their conclusion being that most matcha should be considered to be safe to drink. 

How to Use Matcha

Now that you know about the many fabulous benefits of matcha, I'm sure you'll want to know how to make it.

Because it is a powder that you just mix into water, it is very easy to fix.

Just mix a couple a teaspoons into a warm cup of water and add stevia, lemon or honey to taste.

You can also use matcha in recipes like this Matcha Bark or these Healthy Matcha Truffles.

What Grade of Matcha Is Best?

There are three grades of matcha: culinary, latte, and ceremonial.

The grades vary in color, texture, taste, and time of harvest.

Culinary is picked the latest and is the least vibrant. It's can be too bitter for drinking , but it's great for baking and cooking.

Latte matcha falls between culinary and ceremonial in all categories.

Ceremonial is the most vibrant, is from the first harvest, tastes the least bitter, and is the finest texture since the stems and veins are removed from the leaves before grinding.

As you might guess, culinary is the cheapest, and ceremonial is the most expensive.

A Note About My Experience with Matcha

After college, I taught and lived in Japan for a year. Before, during, and after my time there, I spent quite a bit of time learning about Japanese culture, including enjoying traditional foods and drinks like sushi, anko (sweet bean paste), and matcha.

One thing I learned while there and since returning home is that quality really matters—both in how matcha is grown and how it's prepared. The flavor, color, and overall experience can be very different depending on the source and processing.

Being selective when choosing matcha is important, for these reasons, and more, especially if you plan to drink it regularly.

Where to Buy Matcha (and What to Look For)

Here is some information about what to know about choosing green tea match.

Lower-quality matcha can be:

• Dull or brownish instead of vibrant green
• More bitter
• Poorly sourced or not tested for contaminants

If you’re going to drink matcha regularly, it’s worth choosing one that is:

• Organic (when possible)
• Sourced from Japan
• Tested for contaminants like heavy metals and radiation
• Bright green in color (a sign of higher quality leaves)

A Few Options to Consider

If you’re just getting started, a good latte-grade matcha is a great place to begin. One option to consider is:

• Encha — an organic matcha sourced from Japan that is tested for purity and tends to have a smoother taste than many lower-cost options.

If you want something more premium, ceremonial-grade matcha is less bitter and has a finer texture, making it ideal for drinking on its own.

Do You drink Matcha Green Tea or Regular Green Tea?
How do you like it?

Sources:
https://www.matchasource.com/about-matcha-s/19.htm
https://www.matchasource.com/v/vspfiles/new-to-matcha-tea/index.html
https://www.verywellfit.com/matcha-what-should-i-know-about-it-
https://www.drlisawatson.com/matcha-superpowdered-green-tea