Top 5 Amazing Benefits of Matcha Green Tea Powder : An upcoming sensation

If you are an health conscious person, chance are that you must have heard the name “Matcha green Tea” by now. And like every other Indian , you would now be googling about, ” What is Matcha ?” or ” What are the benefits of matcha green tea ?”. Here is all that you need to know about matcha green tea powder and the health benefits of matcha green tea.

Green Tea is originally from Japan and China. It goes back to ancient times. But it has recently gained popularity amongst the population worldwide for its amazing health benefits. Green tea is least processed, thus, it has high antioxidant content. These antioxidants are beneficial for the health. Before we see the benefits of matcha green tea , let us first know about what is matcha.

                                                                                                                                                Image :Copyright: bhofack2 / 123RF Stock Photo

What is Matcha Green tea ?

Matcha green tea is a premium green tea from Japan. Since hundreds of years the Zen used matcha green tea to help in meditation as it helps in calming the mind. Matcha is shade harvested, steamed, air dried, destemmed and hand pounded green tea . There are no artificial colours or preservatives added. It is sugar free and gluten free thus can be consumed by most of the people around the world. Stone grinding retains matcha’s peculiar taste.

 

Benefits of Matcha green tea powder –

Benefits of Matcha green tea are more prevalent than general green tea. Matcha tea is powdered and mixed with water unlike other green teas which are just dipped in water and removed. Consuming powdered leaves helps in more availability of the antioxidants present. Hence matcha green tea benefits more than the general green tea.

•  Matcha is an Antioxidant storehouse:

It contains 137 times more poly phenol than regular green tea. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is the major poly phenol present. EGCG is believed to burn the fat stores in the body for energy. It also increases the body’s immunity towards the diseases. Studies show high antioxidant levels in Matcha helps in fighting cancer. ECGC also detoxifies the body and removes all the unwanted waste materials from the system. This improves the skin texture and health.  Read – Sources of Antooxidants 

 

• Matcha is a Mind Relaxant:

The amino acid L- Theanine present in matcha relaxes the brain activity. It helps in sharpening the alertness and concentrating ability of an individual. This was mainly why the Zen used matcha for meditation. L Theanine also helps in enhancing the mood. L Theanine along with chlorophyll imparts distinct taste and creamy texture to the product.

 

• Matcha helps in Weight loss:

Matcha increases the body’s thermogenesis by 20 -25 % than normal. Increased thermogenesis raises the body’s metabolism. This burns the body fat and reduces the weight. Stone pounding of matcha green tea retains the fiber in the tea. High fiber content as we all know is beneficial in weight loss.

 

•  Matcha Reduces Blood Cholesterol:

A study in American journal of clinical nutrition, says that matcha helps in reducing the LDL cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. The high antioxidant property also plays a vital role in enhancing heart functioning. Read – How to reduce triglycerides 

 

• Matcha Controls Blood Sugar:

  

The high fibre content maintains the blood sugar levels. The chromium present in the tea aids the insulin activity in the body. Matcha tea is sugar free and hence allows diabetics to consume it without worrying about the increased sugar.

 

How to select the best quality Matcha green tea?

Copyright: egal / 123RF Stock Photo: text

Now that you know about the benefits of matcha green tea powder on health , you would want to buy this immediately . Each and every individual has a different taste. Some prefer a neutral light taste,  some prefer sweet or some prefer strong taste in green tea. Selecting matcha becomes very easy if we know our taste buds. The light colour green tea is more on sweeter side whereas the darker ones taste more astringent and strong.

Your selection of Matcha  green tea will also depend upon how you want to take it. Different recipes require different types of matcha green tea. Kitchens and cafes use the lighter green tea. Baking requires the stronger matcha green tea, as it is more stable in high temperatures. With baking, the taste of matcha green tea powder becomes very subtle. So, use a stronger green tea for baked products like cakes, muffins, cupcakes, macarons etc.

 

Where can I buy Matcha Green tea in India ?

This questions seems to be breaking all google search records lately . Well , you can buy Matcha green tea online on Amazon.  Unlike other green teas, Matcha is actually been used in baking cakes and macarons . Matcha is also used in  making smoothies and latte. If you like the cold pressed  juices , you can also order your “Lights “from Raw pressery .

 

Where and how can I use Matcha green tea?

You can use Matcha green tea powder in various sweet and savoury preparations. Matcha compliments and enhances the taste of lattes, macaroni, smoothies, cakes, icing, milkshakes or soups.

 

Recipes for using Matcha green tea powder:

Here are some recipes in which you can use this and avail the wonderful benefits of matcha green tea.

 

 

 

Apart from these recipes, you can use matcha green tea powder in macaroni. Add ½ teaspoon in white sauce of macaroni to get green gravy macaroni.

 

End note:

We all know every coin has 2 sides. We read about the numerous health benefits of matcha green tea. But it comes with few negative points too.

It contains 3 times more caffeine than normal tea. Although, L theanine neutralises the effect of caffeine. Still to remain cautious, have the tea 6 hours before sleeping. Mid-morning is the best time to consume matcha green tea.

As whole matcha leaves are powdered and used, it has 30 times more lead content than normal tea. Processing removes maximum amount of lead. Thus matcha green tea recommendation is 1 cup /day. Certain high risk groups like children, pregnant women, and people with kidney / liver disorders should avoid matcha green tea consumption.

Considering the maximum health benefits of matcha green tea , 1 cup of matcha green tea  after lunch time will help reduce stress, relax mind, improves brain activity and boosts immunity.