Matcha - Green Tea Powder With Many Health Benefits

While other green teas are grown around the world, the match is unique to Japan. Green tea powder has been an integral part of the traditional tea ceremony for centuries. To this day, Japanese farmers strictly follow traditional methods - from growing to grinding it, which is done in stone mills. Apart from being a tea, matcha is also used as an exotic ingredient in many recipes.

What makes tea match so useful?

The main reason why the match is a superfood is the presence of large amounts of antioxidants in tea, called polyphenols, which are associated with many health benefits and have a number of protective properties - protect against heart disease, cancer, regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.

Matcha tea is famous for its many health benefits. It is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and chlorophyll. Its beneficial effect on health is many times greater than that of other green teas, as the whole leaf is consumed, not just the decoction of it. One cup of matcha tea is the equivalent of 10 cups of green tea in terms of nutritional value and antioxidant content.

Polyphenol in the match, called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), is found only in green tea, and its healing properties have been proven by numerous studies.

Also, amino acids give it a distinctive taste, known as the fifth taste or umami - a rich creamy sensation in the mouth.

What are the benefits of tea from the match?

• extremely rich in antioxidants;
• stimulates metabolism and burns calories;
• calms the mind and relaxes the body;
• rich in fiber, vitamins and chlorophyll;
• increases mood and concentration;
• provides the body with vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium;
• lowers bad cholesterol and blood sugar;
• prevents many diseases.

Thanks to the many powerful antioxidants that matcha possesses, it helps cleanse the liver of toxins. You know that it is very important for this body to be in good health, and consuming the match on a daily basis helps to increase good performance.

The refreshing drink supports brain function - increases attention and memory. Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps to relax the mind. For this reason, tea is known as a natural remedy that stimulates good mood. Buddhist monks drank the match during meditation, as the interaction of amino acids with caffeine puts the mind and body in a state of calm vigilance.

The intake of green tea from the match has a positive effect on the heart. It has been proven to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

We come to one of the most popular applications of green tea matcha - for weight loss .

The drink speeds up the metabolism and increases energy so that you have the strength to burn more calories. Research shows that taking match extract during a workout increases fat burning by 17%.

How to make tea from the match?

You can make traditional tea by sifting 1-2 teaspoons of matcha (about 2-4 grams) and adding 60 milliliters of hot water. You should not use metal utensils and cutlery. If your drink is strong in this way, you can adjust the amount of tea and water according to your preferences.

Be careful with the dose, because although tea is very useful, it is good to drink no more than 1-2 cups a day.

You can add the match to various desserts, creams, puddings, for this purpose again use quantities equivalent to 1 teaspoon.

The seductive taste of the match

Chlorophyll and amino acids give the match its unique and rich taste - first astringent and then sweet. Prepared according to a traditional recipe, mixed with water, the tea has a thick consistency and a dark green color. The intense taste of the first sip can be compared to the taste of dark chocolate or red wine. Included as an ingredient in a recipe, the taste of the match becomes more refined. Using it in the kitchen, you will add color and flavor to your favorite smoothie, latte, sauce or cake.

How to grow a match

A few weeks before the spring harvest, farmers cover the tea plants with bamboo mats or birch to gradually reduce the influx of sunlight. In this way, the chlorophyll content in the leaves increases significantly and their color becomes dark green. After harvesting, the leaves are air-dried, sorted and cleaned. At this stage they are called tencha - the predecessor of the match. When they grind in a stone mill, they already turn into a match.