What are the Benefits of Matcha Tea?

One of the major health benefits of matcha tea is that it delivers a mega dose of antioxidants in every sip. According to the latest innovation in antioxidant research, matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants than any other ‘superfood’.

Why is matcha green tea better than loose leaf tea?

Every day, countless people throw away valuable antioxidants and minerals. While seemingly unimaginable, that’s exactly what happens when you brew a cup of green tea because water can only extract a fraction of green teas benefits.

The majority actually remains unused, trapped in the tea leaves. In reality, the only way to truly take advantage of green teas full potential is to consume the entire leaf. But that doesn’t mean you need to start eating tea leaves. The simplest solution is to just enjoy a bowl of matcha. Because matcha is straight, stoneground tea leaves, matcha provides you with green teas powerful arsenal of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids in a way no other green tea can.

In fact, to even begin to match the potency found in a single serving of matcha, you would need to drink at least ten cups of brewed green tea. When it comes to helping you achieve and maintain optimum health, matcha is without equal.

Why is matcha tea considered a super anti-oxidant?

Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent ageing and chronic diseases. A variety of fruits and vegetables are lauded for their antioxidant properties, but matcha is unparalleled in comparison.

Matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants and has twenty times more so than pomegranates or blueberries.

Antioxidants are the body’s defence agents. They are chemical compounds that prevent ageing and chronic diseases. Put simply, the more you have, the better equipped your body is in the fight against infections and disease.

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High-quality matcha green tea contains great nutritional content and uses tea leaves from the top of the tea plant, ideal for daily consumption. It contains a full range of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is characterized by a fresh, subtle flavour, perfect for both, new and everyday matcha drinkers alike.

Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It is special in two aspects of farming and processing: the green tea plants for matcha are shade-grown for about three weeks before harvest and the stems and veins are removed in processing. During shaded growth, the plant produces more theanine and caffeine.

Nutrition and health benefits

Matcha green tea is packed with antioxidants, including the powerful EGCg. EGCg initials stand for epigallocatechin gallate, a powerful antioxidant found in teas and certain foods. It boosts your immune system and can help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism and supporting detox, as well as protecting you against some diseases. Matcha also provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium, and is also rich in fibre, chlorophyll and other vitamins.

It’s complete and comprehensive properties detoxifies effectively and naturally, calms the mind, relaxes the body, enhances mood, aids in concentration and lowers cholesterol and blood sugar.

Consumption

The powdered form of matcha can be consumed differently from tea leaves or tea bags and is dissolved in a liquid, typically water or milk. The traditional Japanese tea ceremony centres on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha as hot tea and embodies a meditative spiritual style.

In modern times, matcha has come to add nutritional value to our diet, as a healthy habit to our daily routine, and to be used to flavour and prepare foods, such as soba noodles, green tea ice cream, matcha lattes, and a variety of Japanese inspired confectionery.

Matcha tea is an easy and simple way to add powerful health benefits to your everyday diet.

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Basic Matcha Teaware

The equipment required for the making of matcha are:

·      Tea bowl: Large enough to whisk the fine powder tea around 120 ml.

·      Tea whisk: Matcha whisk or chasen, is a bamboo whisk with fine bristles to whisk or whip the tea foam.

·      Teaspoon: chashaku, also called tea scoop, is a bamboo spoon to measure the powder tea into the tea bowl. Not the same as a Western teaspoon.

·      Tea caddy: natsume, is a container for the matcha powder tea.

There are two main ways of preparing matcha: thick, koicha, and thin, usucha.

Matcha Green Tea Recipes

Two of the most famous matcha green tea recipes are definitely matcha ice cream and matcha cakes.

Matcha Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder, or more to taste
250ml whole milk
500ml whipping cream
150g caster sugar
2 eggs

Whisk matcha powder in a bowl to remove any lumps; add a splash of milk and whisk until matcha powder is completely dissolved. Gradually whisk remaining milk into matcha mixture.

Combine cream and matcha mixture in a pot over medium-low heat; cook, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Whisk sugar and eggs together in a bowl.

Pour 120ml hot matcha mixture into egg mixture; mix thoroughly. Repeat with remaining matcha mixture. Pour mixture back into the pot.

Cook and stir matcha mixture over medium-low heat until heated through about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours.

Pour cooled matcha mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Matcha Cake

Ingredients:

·      4 large egg whites

·      4 large egg yolks, room temperature

·      3/4 cup granulated sugar

·      1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·      1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

·      3/4 cup all-purpose flour

·      1/2 tablespoon matcha green tea powder

·      2 cups milk, lukewarm

·      Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting

Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Set aside. Place the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat until they lighten in colour. Add the vanilla extract and butter and beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and matcha green tea powder, then add to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Gradually add the milk and mix until well combined.

Add the beaten egg whites in thirds, folding with a spatula until just combined.

Pour the batter into a buttered 8’x8′ square cake pan and bake at 325F for 40-50 minutes, until the cake doesn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before serving.

To serve, dust the surface with confectioner’s sugar and enjoy this delicious healthy recipe!

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