Matcha Tea
In my day-to-day life, I'm always looking to bring new, healthy habits and lately matcha lattes have become one of those things.
Yes, I’m talking about that matcha, the trendy bright green, finely ground Japanese tea that you can find in just about eve-rything these days, from ice cream to baked goods. Matcha tea has been highly prized for centuries by monks in the Zen Buddhism tradition as a tangible reminder to be mindful. They used it as a daily meditation aid and a tool for achieving spiritual enlightenment.
Maybe that’s because it’s a mental stimulant, due to its caffeine and L-theanine content, and an incredible source of antioxidants (3x stronger than good quality green tea).
Numerous studies on green tea reveal a number of science-backed health benefits that may include:
• Fight cancer
• Prevent type 2 diabetes
• Combat depression
• Protect brain function
• Improve male fertility
• Reduce cholesterol
• Reduce blood pressure
• Protect bone health
• But there’s so much more…
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed tea leaves, typically from Japan. This comes from the same leaves as black, oolong, and green teas, but is unique due to the picking and — process.
Is Matcha Different Than Other Green Teas?
With traditional green tea, the leaves are steeped in hot water and then discarded. But with matcha, the dried leaves have already been ground into a powder when you buy it. It has a unique, earthy, grassy taste and makes the most beautiful green color. And many regard matcha as the most aromatic form of green tea.
Matcha goes through a more careful growth and extraction process than other teas. Manufacturers don’t grow most green teas in the shade or protect them from oxidation. But matcha makers use these added steps to help control variables in production and give matcha its unique characteristics and flavor.
Other teas may go through multiple processes such as heating, drying, and rolling after harvest. The exact processes vary depending on the type of green tea.The end product causes differences in flavor for matcha and green tea. Where green tea may have a light, refreshing flavor, matcha tends to be rich, with a stronger, grassy flavor.
While good quality, organic green tea is known for having many benefits, including antioxidants, matcha is truly rich with 3x the amount of even the best quality other green teas. We ALL need to consume as many antioxidants in our day as we possibly can - our lifestyle screams for it. They protect us from premature aging, heart disease, cancer, possibly depression and anxiety, and even more.
The caffeine content varies depending on your preparation. Green tea contains about 11–25 mg per g of caffeine. Matcha contains about 19–44 mg per g of caffeine.
What is the Best Matcha Powder to Use?
Make sure you source a high-quality organic matcha powder for the best flavor. If you cheap out here, your matcha will taste bitter and dull.
I recommend that you always source a Japanese green tea powder since the matcha grown in Japan is usually of higher quality. You also want to look for a matcha that is a vibrant green color instead of dull or brownish.
There are basically 3 different qualities or grades of matcha: culinary, latte, and ceremonial.
Culinary grade is lower quality and has a more dull, bitter taste. It’s usually a pale green or even brown-green color. You can use it for baking or smoothies unless you want a really pronounced matcha flavor.
Latte grade is a step above culinary grade. There’s more matcha flavor and it’s less bitter.
Ceremonial grade is the highest quality and best for everyday drinking. I recommend organic. It’s typically a bright green powder and has a full-bodied, delicious flavor.
What Makes Matcha So Healthy?
Matcha is an antioxidant powerhouse (as mentioned above). Antioxidants give us younger-looking skin, boost memory and concentration, increase energy levels, and prevent life-threatening diseases like cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps neutralize free radicals in the body.
High in vitamin C, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber, it is also enjoyed to help maintain a healthy weight and burn fat. In addition, it can help produce calming, meditative effects, thanks to L-theanine, an amino acid that has been proven to reduce stress. It’s a welcome respite in our busy modern lifestyle.
When Should You Drink Matcha?
Matcha is good any time of day. Consider a nice morning cup of hot tea, maybe with some frothed oat milk poured on top. Enjoy an afternoon iced matcha on a warm day. And if you’re not caffeine sensitive, mix some matcha for your evening pick-me-up.
How Do You Make Matcha at Home?
You could mix your matcha in the traditional tea ceremony way and make it into a delicious drink or use the powder as an ingredient to flavor your favorite desserts. While the Japanese tea ceremony called Sado, takes years of practice to master, you could pick up the basics. All you need is a tea bowl, whisk, and quality matcha. Follow the directions as outlined in my recipe for a matcha latte here.
How to Bake with Matcha
Flavour profile: It’s quite earthy and easily pairs with vanilla, ginger, chocolate and lemon flavoured baked goods.
Pie crust: Sift 1 tablespoon of matcha tea into your flour mixture before blending in the butter and water. Use 2 tablespoons for a double pie crust.
Cookies: Sift 2 tablespoons of matcha into your flour mixture for a standard-size cookie recipe (24 cookies).
Cake: Sift 1 tablespoon of matcha for each layer of cake into your dry ingredients (2 layers = 2 tablespoons).
Frosting: 1 teaspoon of matcha sifted into powdered sugar glazes will provide a beautiful green colour. Or simply sift a tablespoon of matcha over your finished baked goods for colour and flavour.
Pudding: Whisk 1-2 teaspoons of matcha into your hot ingredients.
Ice Cream: Sift and stir 2 teaspoons of matcha to 1 cup of almond or coconut milk and bring it to a slight simmer to infuse the milk, before adding it to the rest of the milk for freezing or adding to your ice cream maker.
Get Started!
Have I convinced you, yet? Order organic matcha, a scoop, and a whisk to get started.
Here’s a list of my favorite recommendations:
And for an easy recipe try my 4 Ingredient Matcha
