There are many known green tea benefits for health and weight loss, but would you imagine having all those multiplied benefits? Well, that’s exactly what happens when Matcha, a powdered green tea, is consumed, but much more powerful.
Common green tea and matcha come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis, native to China and Southeast Asia, even though its popularity comes from Japan. The crop is completely different for green tea and matcha. The bushes that are used to get the matcha are completely covered for about 20 or 30 days before the harvest is finished, thus preventing them from sunlight directly. What’s going on? Chlorophyll levels are concentrated, giving the leaves a dark green color, as well as increasing the production of amino acids.
So, they take the leaves from these bushes and fill them in full, obtaining as a final result the matcha dust. Because the blade is consumed in the matcha as a whole, this is much richer in some substances than antioxidants.
The popularity of matcha tea comes thanks to Japan’s Zen monks, even though the origin of ground tea is native to China. Thanks to their relaxing properties, the monks drank matcha tea during their long meditation days to stay in a state of constant relaxation, thus favoring concentration without the nervous state caused by caffeine.
Properties of Matcha Tea:
There are many properties attributed to the Matcha that have become very popular over the years and the different studies that have been carried out. A study carried out by the University of Geneva in 1999 concluded that the oral administration of the green tea extract stimulated thermogenesis and fat oxidation and therefore has the potential to influence body weight and body composition through changes in both the EE and the use of the substrate.
Thus, matcha tea has the following properties:
– It contains 5 times more L-theanine, an amino acid that stimulates the Alpha waves in the brain, helping with concentration, and induces a state of calm and relaxation.
– It is rich in a healthy form of caffeine called theophylline which helps keep energy levels high in the body.
– Its large supply of antioxidants strengthens the immune system especially catechins, a type of phenolic compound, which have proven to be much more powerful than vitamins C and E when stopping oxidative stress in cells.
– Helps heart health by lowering cholesterol, triglyceride, and high blood pressure levels.
– Contains 137 times more polyphenols than regular green tea protecting the body from oxidative stress and inflammation
– Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and can prevent prostate cancer, breast bladder, and rectal colon.
– Its antioxidant power combats the process of premature aging and protects us from free radicals, as well as its high levels of chlorophyll promote detoxification. 1 single cup of matcha tea, equates in antioxidants to 10 cups of green tea infusion
– Accelerates metabolism thanks to its high fiber content
Benefits of Matcha Tea:
Many benefits are attributed to Matcha which have become very popular over the years and the different studies that have been carried out. A study carried out by the University of Geneva in 1999 concluded that the oral administration of the green tea extract stimulated thermogenesis and fat oxidation and therefore has the potential to influence body weight and body composition through changes in both the EE and the use of the substrate.
Matcha & Co, one of the pioneering companies of Te Matcha 100% natural and ecological in our country, tell us what are, according to their extensive experience in this excellent product, the 9 essential benefits that Matcha brings for health:
1. Energy but calmly: its perfect caffeine mix and L-Theanine make you have energy for longer than coffee, about 4 to 6 hours, but at the same time avoid the nervousness and subsequent fatigue caused by other exciting drinks.
2. Helps reduce anxiety
3. It is able to give a better appearance to the skin: being rich in catechins, Matcha visibly helps improve the appearance of the skin by deactivating free radicals, having anti-inflammatory power, protecting against UV rays, and improving elasticity.
4. Concentration: the effect caused by the combination of caffeine and L-Theanine, causes concentration to improve
5. Healthy brain and memory: Matcha components can increase memory and effective connectivity of the brain.
6. Reduces cardiovascular risks: thanks to catechins and their anti-inflammatory power, Matcha helps the vascular system.
7. Helps reduce fluid retention
8. Improves oral health: It is proven that matcha tea and its antibacterial properties keep the bacteria in the mouth, which cause bad breath, at bay.
9. Excellent fat burner: matcha helps accelerate metabolism and burn more calories, as you use your own fat to generate energy.
How to Make Matcha Tea?
Knowing how to make matcha tea the right way is almost an art. Specific implements are needed to get a good match.
The traditional way is to place one by two measurements of matcha tea with a chashaku, a traditional Japanese spoon, in a small bowl. Then you should place hot water no more than 80o Celsius, and mix with a chasen, a traditional bamboo whisk. The tea will be fully ready when there are no lumps and a layer of foam forms.
How its taste is bitter, you can add sweetener to sweetener, it can also be served with ice or with cream above.
To keep it, it is best to keep it in the refrigerator to keep it cool, yes, it is important to get it out in time before drinking it, so that it gets room temperature
Contraindications of Matcha Tea:
For some people, matcha tea may cause some side effects that may be mild or serious depending on each body
– One of the contraindications attributed most to the consumption of matcha tea is that the level of caffeine it contains can cause insomnia, increased heart rhythm, irritability, and headaches, among others. Likewise, caffeine could interfere with the intake of medications to control blood pressure.
– It is best to have matcha tea that is organic or organic, as the quality of the quality of will depend on the type of cultivation and could contain chemical remains of fertilizers.
– Matcha tea may also cause constipation and abdominal pains because green tea can reduce iron absorption from food.
If you like matcha tea you may also be interested in knowing the contraindications of green tea.
The Matcha has become so ubiquitous, it’s no wonder how it came to become so popular today. There are also very common questions among the society we answer in this article.
1. Why does my Matcha at home know differently from the one I get in a cafeteria?
Sugar. Many of the Matcha powders you can buy at a coffee shop have added sweeteners. They are also probably using the wrong tools to froth the milk if it is a Matcha Latte you are buying. However, if they use the chasen whisk and chawan bowl (two traditional Japanese tools for making Matcha) or a standard blender, it can cause the Matcha to oxidize and foam.
2. So how exactly does he prepare?
Knowing how to make Matcha tea the right way is almost an art. Specific implements are needed to get a good Matcha.
The traditional way is to put one to two measures of matcha tea with a chashaku, a traditional Japanese spoon, in a chawan bowl. Next, add hot water, no more than 80º Celsius, and mix with a chasen, a traditional bamboo whisk, making movements in an ‘M’ and ‘N’ shape until you see an oxidation of bubbles on top. The tea will be completely ready when there are no lumps left and a layer of foam forms on top.
3. What’s the difference between green tea and the Matcha?
Matcha is the whole blade pulverized, and that’s why you get all the benefits, including a lot of antioxidants. You’re ingesting the whole blade rather than soaking it, which still has benefits, but it’s not as shocking as ingesting it.
Common green tea and the Matcha come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis, native to China and Southeast Asia, even though its popularity comes from Japan. The harvest is completely different for green tea and the Matcha. The bushes that are used to obtain the Matcha are completely covered for about 20 or 30 days before the harvest is finished, thus avoiding sunlight directly from them. What’s going on? Chlorophyll levels are concentrated, giving the leaves a dark green color, as well as increasing the production of amino acids.
4. Is there any difference between matcha caffeine and coffee?
The Matcha often makes people less nervous than coffee. It is full of antioxidants and L-teanine, an amino acid that stimulates the Alpha waves in the brain, helping with concentration, and inducing a state of calm and relaxation. Some studies have shown that it does everything from improving brain function to helping calm the mind. While the word calm may not be exactly what you’re looking for in the morning, it helps get rid of the jolt that can sometimes cause caffeine.
5. Where do you buy good matcha and how long does it normally last?
Not all the Matchas in the market are equal, it is very important to make sure that the Matcha that is being acquired is really good quality, full of the health benefits that it is intended to obtain from tea. The first advice is to check the label to see where it comes from. An easy example: just like the real champagne is just Champagne, France, the real Matcha is just Japan.
Likewise, one of the key points is the price of the Matcha, it will be the best indicator of the quality of the product. Usually, if the price is very low (less than 20 euros per 100 grams) is indicative of poor quality, and in all probability, it comes from China.
The real Matcha is sold in loose powder, that is, it is not contained inside a bag of tea. The color is also important, if the Matcha is of good quality, it must be of intense green, not of an opaque color.
A small bowl will tend to last about a week if you’re an avid matcha drinker.
How to Make Sure You’re Getting a Quality Product?
Not all matches in the market are equal, it is very important to make sure that the Matcha that is being acquired is really good quality, full of the health benefits that you intend to get from tea. The first advice is to check the label to see where it comes from. An easy example: just like the real champagne is just Champagne, France, the real Matcha is just Japan.
Likewise, you must take into account the price of the Matcha, it will be the best indicator of the quality of the product, Matcha & Co they makes the following recommendation: Matcha is a type of tea with high production costs. Being able to get only 40 grams of Matcha tea carries a fairly large job; since from its cultivation, collection, and subsequent elaboration, it can take months. The average market price for a Matcha tea with origin from Japan (a country that cultivates the best qualities of this type of tea and from where it originates), has a cost of more than 20 euros per 100 grams of ceremonial degree (the best quality). That’s not to keep in mind that it’s 100% organic, in which case the cost is increased. Usually, if the price is very low (less than 20 euros per 100 grams) it is usually indicative of poor quality, and in all probability, it comes from China.
Another aspect is that the authentic Matcha is sold in loose powder, that is, it is not contained inside a tea bag. The color is also important, if the Matcha is of good quality, it must be of intense green, not of an opaque color. If you notice that the dust resembles more the color of crushed peas than that of a bright emerald, it probably is not of the best quality.
If you’re buying Matcha to cook with him, it’s best to opt for a culinary-grade matcha instead of one labeled as ceremonial. It just works a little better in the kitchen.
If you go to a cafeteria or tea and want to opt for a Matcha cup of tea, watch the color and ask the barista where the tea comes from. If you don’t know much about the Matcha you’re serving, you don’t even know where it’s from, it’s often not of the best quality, and some establishments sometimes buy it in bulk and mix it with flavors or sugar to reduce costs.