Matcha is often enjoyed in beverage form, but it can also be incorporated into other healthy dishes.
When you go to your favorite cafe for breakfast or a cup of coffee in the morning, you probably won’t miss the matcha option on the menu.
Matcha originated in China and gained widespread popularity in Japan.
It has recently emerged as a popular beverage in numerous other nations, including the United States.
Green Matcha gives customers earthy notes with every sip. Similar to green tea, it is a type of powered green tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant.
The method by which the plant is grown in shade before being harvested is what really sets matcha apart. The stems and veins of the plant are removed during harvest, and the entire leaf is ground into a fine powder.
Matcha can be consumed in a number of different ways, the most common being as a beverage. Simply combine the powder and water to make matcha tea, which can be consumed hot or iced. Matcha powder can also be mixed with milk to make a latte-like beverage.
Matcha powder can also be added to baked goods, sprinkled on top of oatmeal, or added to a nutritious acai bowl.
Matcha is well-known for its health benefits as well as its flavor.
Matcha can be consumed warm or cold. Matcha can be purchased at your neighborhood café or prepared at home.
The following are some of the health benefits that are thought to result from consumption:
- Matcha contains a lot of antioxidants, including catechins, which Healthline says are plant compounds in green tea that are natural antioxidants.
Matcha is distinguished from other green teas, which are typically brewed from the leaves, by the fact that the whole leaf is ground into a fine powder, resulting in a higher concentration of antioxidants.
According to WebMD, matcha’s high level of antioxidants may reduce the risk of certain diseases and prevent cell damage.
- Enhanced brain function A group of 23 people were examined for how they performed various tasks aimed at measuring brain performance in a 2017 PubMed/National Library of Medicine study.
While the control group received a placebo, some of the participants received four grams of matcha in the form of a bar or tea.
Matcha is made in a different way than regular tea by being stirred directly into water rather than soaked.
When compared to those who received a placebo, those who consumed four grams of matcha showed improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory.
According to WebMD, scientists have noted that the enhanced brain function could be a result of the caffeine in matcha. However, further studies are needed to confirm the idea that matcha improves brain function.
According to Healthline, an average cup of matcha contains 19 to 45 milligrams of caffeine per gram, or 38 to 176 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
According to the source, a cup of brewed coffee contains approximately 70 to 140 milligrams for comparison.
Caffeine is present in matcha, with the average cup containing 38 to 176 milligrams.
Matcha and green tea can protect the liver by lowering your risk of liver disease.
A review of 15 studies conducted in 2015 and published by PubMed Central revealed a link between drinking green tea and a lower risk of liver disease.
According to Heathline, experts noted in 2020 that the protective properties of matcha for the liver benefit those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, by lowering liver enzymes. However, this benefit may have the opposite effect on those without NAFLD.
Always start with small amounts of anything new to see how your body reacts before adding anything new to your diet, including matcha.