A long-standing tradition of Japanese culture, Matcha Green Tea is a high quality powdered green tea. Made from the nutrient-rich young leaves picked from the tips of shade-grown Camellia sinensis plants, Matcha Green Tea is steamed, stemmed, and de-vined before being stone-ground into very fine powder. Matcha Green Tea powder is then stored away from light and oxygen in order to preserve its brilliant green color and antioxidant properties. This miracle elixir has been consumed for over a millennium in the Far East, and is now considered to be one of the most powerful super foods on the market today.
When you brew a cup of regular green tea the water can only extract a fraction of the teas benefits. The majority actually remains unused, trapped in the tea leave themselves. The only way to truly take advantage of green teas full potential is to consume the entire leaf. Because matcha is straight, stoneground tealeaves, it provides you with green teas powerful arsenal of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids in a way no other green tea can. You would need to drink at least ten cups of brewed green tea to get the benefits from a single serve of matcha!
One of matchas greatest benefits is its high level of antioxidants. Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Nowadays, a variety of fruits and vegetables are lauded for their antioxidant properties. Using the testing method known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), experts have discovered that matcha possesses twenty times more antioxidants than pomegranates or blueberries. Matchas ORAC rating is 1573 units per gram, compared to pomegranates 105 units per gram or blueberries 93 units. This makes matcha a wonderful tool to help prevent aging and protecting the body against illness and chronic diseases.
Matcha tea also contains a unique, potent class of antioxidants known as catechins, which aren’t found in other foods. In particular, the catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) provides potent cancer-fighting properties. EGCg and other catechins counteract the effects of free radicals from the likes of pollution, UV rays, radiation and chemicals, which can lead to cell and DNA damage. Scientists have found that Matcha Green Tea contains over 100 times more EGCg than any other tea on the market.
While the concept of antioxidants may be relatively new, for over a millennium, Matcha Green Tea has been used by Chinese Daoists and Japanese Zen Buddhist monks as a means to relax and meditate while remaining alert. Modern science has recently confirmed the lessons of this very old tradition. Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that actually promotes a state of relaxation and well-being. While stress can induce beta waves- an excited, more agitated state- L-Theanine creates alpha waves, which lead to a state of relaxed alertness. And while L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than common black and green teas.
As an additional benefit, L-Theanine can help memory and learning while inhibiting any possible side-effects from the caffeine naturally found in green tea. Therefore, matcha promotes concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy found in coffee.
Another side-effect of L-Theanine is the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two chemicals not only assist memory and concentration, they also serve to enhance mood and feelings of general wellbeing!
Green tea is often referred to for its ability to assist weight loss. Matcha has indeed been proven to boost metabolism and burn fat up to four times faster than an average rate. Again, unlike many diet aides currently on the market, Matcha causes no negative side-effects such as increased heart rate and high blood pressure nor does it place any undue stress on the body.
Studies have also found that consuming matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body’s own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expenditure. The Samurai drank Matcha Green Tea before going into battle due to the tea’s energizing properties. While all green tea naturally contains caffeine, the energy boost received from Matcha is largely due to its unique combination of other nutrients. The increased endurance from Matcha Green Tea can last up to 6 hours and because of the effects of L-Theanine, Matcha drinkers experience none of the usual side-effects of stimulants such as nervousness and hypertension.
Not only can matcha assist with weight loss and increased energy, it has been shown to help with detoxification of the body. During the last three weeks before tea leaves are harvested to be made into Matcha, Camellia sinensis are covered to deprive them of sunlight. This causes a tremendous increase in chlorophyll production in the new growth of these plants. The resulting high levels of chlorophyll in Matcha Green Tea give this tea its beautiful vibrant green color and makes it a powerful detoxifier, capable of naturally removing heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body.
On top of all of these great health benefits, Matcha actually tastes delicious too! As a powder, matcha can be enjoyed as a hot latte style drink, it can be added to fresh smoothies, sprinkled over cereal or even added to healthy desserts or when baking. Try adding some to create a healthy salad dressing, energy bars or even blending with your favorite milk or juice to create a quick and energizing Matcha Milkshake!
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