MATCHA INSIGHTS
Matcha is a potent antioxidant-rich fine green tea powder revered for centuries as a natural health tonic.
View matcha products: matcha powder, functional matcha mint chocolate
WHAT IS MATCHA AND WHAT MAKES IT A SUPERFOOD?
MATCHA IS A CONCENTRATED FINELY GROUND WHOLE LEAF GREEN TEA POWDER REVERED FOR ITS ZEN-LIKE FOCUS.
Some of matcha’s health benefits include:
- Removes toxins and heavy metals
- Alkalises & combats acidity
- Promotes calm alertness for better focus & concentration
- Boosts the metabolism
- Reduces stress & anxiety
- Immune system modulation
- Powerful antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
DISCLAIMER:
Always check with your healthcare practitioner before using medicinal foods/superfoods such as ashwagandha during pregnancy or on prescribed medication
You can tell the quality of your matcha by the texture of the powder. It should be as fine and smooth as talcum powder! The lower grades are also finely ground, but are more coarse than the premium quality powders. The higher the quality, the less bitter it is – it should have a smooth, slightly sweet flavour. The sweetness due to the L-theanine content. The more potent superfood matchas do, however, have a bit of an astringent quality too.
HEALTH BENEFITS & NUTRITIONAL POTENCY OF MATCHA
There’s a reason why matcha has been used for centuries in traditional medicinal systems.
Matcha is a fine powder made from specially cultivated, whole green tea leaves. It is known as a healthier alternative to coffee for those looking to feel energised without the acidifying effect of coffee, without the associated build-up of nervous energy and rather more clarity of mind.
100% MATCHA (GREEN TEA) POWDER IS A POTENT MEDICINAL PLANT
Matcha has gained much more interest in the last decade as it entered the western market as a ‘coffee alternative’ or flavour enhancer, however, matcha is much more than that. In fact, it contains one of the highest levels of antioxidants obtainable in plants.
Reduces Stress & Combats Gitters: Matcha contains a high concentration of L-theanine which is an amino acid that creates a feeling of calm and reduces stress.
Mental Focus, Concentration & Enhances Memory: Matcha increases the production of serotonin and dopamine (ie. happy hormones or neurotransmitters responsible for a stable mood & happiness) which enhances the mind’s ability to focus and recall. The combination of the caffeine and the L-theanine creates an alertness without the nervous energy that we get from coffee which often leads to feeling ‘wired but tired’.
Detoxifying & Alkalising: Matcha gets its green colour from its chlorophyll content which has an alkalising & cleansing effect on the body. It has the ability to remove toxins and heavy metals from the body which very few sources can do. This alkalising effect also helps minimise inflammation and disease.
Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is also known to go hand in hand with chronic pain and disease, and so minimising inflammation is essential for pain relief and healing.
Matcha is also considered to be the most nutritionally valuable out of all teas providing the whole tea leaf benefits of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, cofactors and fibre.
HOW TO USE MATCHA
The taste of matcha is somewhat bitter with a floral hint, similar to green tea.
The best way to take matcha is to have it in the morning as a tea or latte. This can help your body maintain equilibrium in your adrenal system throughout the day and energise the mind for a full day’s work ahead.
- Stir into hot water to make tea and top up with milk of choice for added creaminess.
- Add to a superfood smoothie, hot chocolate or mix a shot of matcha with steamed milk and espresso for an extra boost.
BONUS: A QUICK RECIPE
Alternatively, blend with hot water, coconut oil or cacao butter and almond milk or hemp seeds for a frothy, creamy plant-based drink. For extra flavour add honey, some dried mint leaves or lemon rind.
Dosage
- Maintenance: 1 – 2 teaspoons of matcha powder used as a tea or added to smoothies etc.
- Medicinal use: consult a medical practitioner for the correct anecdotal dosage.
TIP: You can add matcha to homemade chocolates for an energising & ‘deep focus’ snack.
RECIPES
MATCHA MINT LATTÉ
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MUDDY MATCHA
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MATCHA MUD CAKE
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Matcha Espresso Smoothie
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THE SCIENCE ON MATCHA’S HEALTH BENEFITS
It is said that Zen masters were able to reach a higher state of consciousness by drinking matcha because of its ability to simultaneously boost relaxation and alertness. These effects are produced by growing the green tea in deep shade prior to harvesting which boosts the chlorophyll and L-theanine content. This process also amplifies the antioxidant content which is said to be 15 times more than wild blueberries.
In ancient Japan, it is said that the Samurai would drink matcha tea before going into battle because it provides long-lasting, sustained energy.
Matcha is the most nutritionally valuable tea because it is made using the whole leaf. It has a powerful concentration of antioxidants, amino acids and minerals.
The ability to boost memory and focus is due to the calming amino acid, L-theanine, which stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine. It also increases your metabolism, naturally detoxifies the body and removes heavy metals.
The Tang Dynasty in China spanned across the 7th to the 10th century, and is the earliest record of matcha tea drinking. It was the Song Dynasty, which reigned from the 10th to the 13th century, that made the method of roasting and powderising the leaves before mixing with water, most popular.
It was only in the 1500s that the Japanese Tea Ceremony called “Chado” or “Sado” as we know it today was refined by a Zen student. The four basic principles of the 21 Japanese Tea Ceremony are: Harmony (wa) / Respect (kei) / Purity (sei) / Tranquility (jaku)
RESEARCH & FURTHER READING
- Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review,
- Selective neuronal vulnerability to oxidative stress in the brain.
- Oxidative stress as an etiological factor and a potential treatment target of psychiatric disorders. Part 2. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and autism.
- Determination of catechins in matcha green tea by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.
- Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health,
- Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Tea Bioactive Components in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
- The effect of caffeine on cognitive task performance and motor fatigue,
- Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Tea Bioactive Components in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
- An intervention study on the effect of matcha tea, in drink and snack bar formats, on mood and cognitive performance,
- Green tea consumption affects cognitive dysfunction in the elderly: a pilot study,
- Effect of Green Tea Phytochemicals on Mood and Cognition,
- L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses,
- The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent,
- L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses,
- L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state,
Also, find 1035 abstracts with green tea research:
https://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/green-tea
