WHAT IS MATCHA TEA?
By
Dean Fankhauser
Posted
Tuesday Dec 2021
Read Time
4 Minutes
Our score
Whisk Matcha may be a special kind of powdery tea leaf that’s fully grown and made in Japan (in most cases). The tea leaf leaves area unit shaded from the sun for the previous few weeks of their growth,
increasing the chlorophyll content and making a beautiful inexperienced color. Then, the leaves area unit fastidiously ground with stone grinding wheels to provide a fine powder.
The powder will then be wont to brew Associate in Nursing inhibitor made frothy tea leaf or in recipes like smoothies or baking. not like alternative forms of teas, the tea leaf powder isn’t strained out before overwhelming,
thus you’re overwhelming the complete leaf, creating Matcha firmer than alternative tea varieties. In fact, solely 1/2 tsp is required to brew a conventional cup of Matcha
History of Matcha
- In the dynasty in China, tea leaf was powdery and dried into bricks for straightforward use. folks may then break off a tiny low piece of the dried tea brick and stir into a predicament. This provided a shelf stable tea leaf that was simple to travel with
- In the 1100s, a Japanese monk brought the thought of powdery tea to Japan, and this eventually evolved into the standard tea ceremony. tho’ the tradition of drinking powdery inexperienced teas has lost quality in China till recent years,
- the tradition has persisted in Japan. tho’ originally solely royalty and Samurai warriors got Matcha as a result of it absolutely was thus time overwhelming and pricey to provide, it’s currently a well-liked drink throughout Japan
- For Matcha, the simplest tea bushes area unit chosen and shaded from the sun for three weeks before harvest. Then, the simplest leaves area unit chosen and ground by hand to provide a fine, bright inexperienced powder.
Benefits
- Energy + Calm
Matcha tea is exclusive as a result of the method of shading and gather will increase the content of L-Theanine, Associate in Nursing organic compound that helps balance the caffeine. whereas matcha could contain a similar caffeine as alternative forms of tea, the L-Theanine is understood to make calmness while not a temporary state.
- Antioxidants
Another profit to Matcha is that the high concentration of antioxidants. One study found that Matcha has 137 times the polyphenols (notably, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) than regular tea leaf. (1) indeed,
this sort of tea leaf contains over 60x the antioxidants of spinach and 7x the antioxidants of top quality bittersweet chocolate.
There is some proof that these polyphenols could have a protecting impact against some forms of cancer. - Weight Loss EGCG, found in high concentrations in Matcha, has been shown to extend the speed of burning keep fat as energy, furthermore as decreasing the formation of recent fat cells. alternative studies have shown that the catechins in Matcha increase the body’s rate of calorie burning day by day and offered extra fat burning profit throughout the exercise.
- Healthy Heart A 2011 study within the yank Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the catechins in tea leaf had a big impact on lowering cholesterol. A 2013 Cochrane review conjointly showed that regular tea leaf consumption was related to lower pressure level Associate in Nursing a slashed risk of stroke.
Brain Power
The L-Theanine in tea leaf is understood to assist stimulate alpha brain waves. These waves area unit acknowledged for his or her ability to assist increase focus and concentration.
- Chlorophyll supply The process of shading the Matcha leaves creates Associate in the Nursing accrued quantity of chlorophyll, that some preliminary analysis has shown could facilitate the body eliminate serious metals and alternative harmful buildup. analysis remains lacking during this space, however, many various doctors suggest chlorophyl for this purpose.
- Skin Health
The same antioxidants that build tea leaf protecting, as well as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may additionally facilitate support skin health by reducing inflammation and free radicals that accelerate skin aging.
- All That Glitters…
Is not gold, or green, because the case could also be. Matcha has some superb advantages, however, one vital caution and potential downside: lead.
All inexperienced teas, even organically fully grown ones, contain trace amounts of lead and halide. once brewed as an ancient tea leaf, the leaves area unit removed, and most of the lead (and a number of the fluoride) is removed with the leaves.
With Matcha, since the entire leaf is consumed, there’s the next concentration of lead. From everything I’ve scanned, this is often not a reason to avoid this sort of tea, since the degree area unit still low, however, I’d exercise a lot of caution once pregnant for this reason.
- Brewing Matcha
Though Matcha will value $4 or a lot of in an exceeding restaurant, you’ll be able to build it inexpensively reception. we tend to fancy Matcha as a treat regarding once every week, and I’ve conjointly enjoyed experimenting with adding it to foods for color.
tho’ in Japan, a chanoyu is Associate in Nursing elaborate follow that involves special cups, teapots, and bowls, there’s a simplified method that you just will use reception.
There area unit 2 ways that to brew, as usucha or koicha. Usucha may be a skinny tea, whereas koicha may be a thicker tea.
- Needed Equipment:
- A bamboo whisk and spoon (not completely necessary, however, creates a far sander and frothier drink than a daily whisk) TIP: in an exceeding pinch, use a liquidizer.
- Fine mesh filter or sieve
- A glass bowl for whisking
- Small cups of drinking tea
- Matcha tea leaf
- Antioxidant made tea leaf made up of the powdery leaves of the tea plant may be a supply of helpful polyphenols and nutrients.
- Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Matcha Powder (I got mine here)
- 1 cup (8 ounces) water at one75 degrees F
- Instructions
- Sift the powder into the glass bowl employing a fine mesh filter or sieve.
- Slowly add the recent water.
- Whisk with the bamboo whisk in an exceedingly “w” form till frothy and well mixed.
- Drink like a shot.