Move over, tea and coffee. Matcha madness is the cooler option as it helps to increase alertness, calm the mind and improve concentration.
Matcha, which means “powdered tea”, is a nutrient-rich ingredient consumed for more than a millennium in Japan. One cup of matcha is nutritionally equivalent to 10 cups of brewed green tea!
For traditional green tea, the leaves are infused in hot water and discarded after. But for matcha, you are drinking the leaves themselves, which are finely powdered, mixed with water and whisked with a bamboo brush until frothy.
Why you should join the matcha madness
Because you are consuming the whole leaf, drinking matcha can help increase alertness as it contains three times the amount of caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee. It also helps to calm the mind and improve concentration. In fact, it has been a long-standing traditional product used to aid meditation in Japan.
In addition, matcha is rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamins that prevent ageing and the onset of chronic diseases. It also helps to detox, boost metabolism, and lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Flavours and prices of matcha vary depending on the quality of powder used — a low price may be an indication of impure and unpleasantly bitter matcha.
Credit: Tiny Urban Kitchen, Oh, How Civilized, my name is yeh, Diane, A Broad
The matcha madness has moved from beverages to food, where it has become a main ingredient in many recipes. Google matcha and you will see it being used for muffins, puddings, soups, ice cream and much more. It is definitely a food worth trying!
References:
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/10-amazing-benefits-of-matcha-green-tea/
http://news.health.com/2015/03/27/what-is-matcha/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/matcha-powder-recipes_n_6432740.html
