Matcha Tea is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, traditionally consumed in East Asia. The green tea plants used for matcha are shade-grown for three to four weeks before harvest; the stems and veins are removed during processing. During shaded growth, the plant Camellia sinensis produces more theanine and caffeine. The powdered form of matcha is consumed differently from tea leaves or tea bags, as it is suspended in a liquid, typically water or milk.

The rich antioxidants present in matcha tea help provide free radical scavenging activity, and a stronger immune defense. Polyphenols and catechin-rich matcha promotes relaxation and contributes beneficially to the prevention and treatment of various medical conditions. Matcha tea also assists in maintaining cardiovascular health and works as a superb energy booster.

What is Matcha?

Matcha or maccha is a finely ground, bright emerald-green tea powder with the scientific name Camellia sinensis. It is prepared from a high-quality shade-grown leaf known as tencha. The tea bushes are sheltered to avoid exposure of direct sunlight which reduces the pace of photosynthesis and slows down the growth of plants. This provides the leaves with a darker shade of green and stimulates the production of chlorophyll and amino acids. ^[rx]

How Is Matcha Harvested?

• Harvesting of matcha is done by hand to ensure the selection of the youngest, and smallest leaves for the finest quality tea.
• Unlike other green teas, leaves used for this tea are briefly steamed to protect them from oxidation and preserve their flavor and nutritional content.
• This is followed by ultra-fine milling of the tencha leaves by using granite stone mills resulting in a beautiful green powder which is the raw material for this tea. This is called matcha green tea powder.

History Of Matcha Tea

It is a natural, organic green tea that has been the heart of the famous Japanese tea ceremony for over 900 years. The Buddhist monks honored matcha tea as the health elixir for its potential to heighten concentration and enhance metabolism.

Thought to originate in China in the 9th century, this was used for curing various ailments. It was only after the Zen Buddhist monks from Japan realized its true potential at the end of the twelfth century, the perfection in the cultivation of these leaves picked up. Matcha is still scarcely grown, accounting for just 0.6% of total tea yield.

According to a popular adage, there is special etiquette which is followed in Japan while drinking this tea: if you drink matcha with your back straight, the pleasure of the experience would double. So, sit straight and sip it right!

Nutrition Facts

Matcha is a time-honored beverage and a source of essential nutrients. ^[rx]

• It is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, and B-complex vitamins.
• This tea contains trace minerals including selenium, chromium, zinc, and magnesium.
• It is rich in components with antioxidant activity including polyphenols, catechins, and chlorophyll.
• Matcha tea contains a high level of dietary fiber.
• The presence of amino acids such as L-theanine and theophylline in matcha tea makes it a multi nutrient-packed drink. ^[rx]
• This matcha tea powder has 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea!

Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

The important health benefits of matcha tea have been listed below.

Provides Relaxation

According to Dr. Art T Dash’s book, “Secrets to Lowering Cholesterol with Nutrition and Natural Supplements, matcha tea works wonderfully in providing a calming effect on the body. L-theanine, a unique amino acid present in this green tea, possesses anti-anxiolytic properties, which assist in boosting alpha waves in the brain. These alpha waves enhance mood, encourage relaxation, induce a profound feeling of mental clarity, and help achieve an alert state of mind. ^[5]

Rich Source of Antioxidants

Matcha tea has antioxidants such as catechins – EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). A study published in the Journal of Chromatography A assessed the antioxidant power of this tea. Furthermore, it revealed that as compared to other green teas matcha has the highest amount of EGCG. These antioxidants seek out for oxygen free radicals and neutralize their harmful effects. Thus, this helps in protecting the body from the occurrence of disorders or inflammations associated with oxidative stress. ^[rx] [rx]

Anticancer Potential

According to some research, matcha tea may have some anti-cancer potential. It has a therapeutic effect on the body by “mediating the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells,” according to a study in the journal Aging.
^[rx]

A number of studies have shown that polyphenols present in this tea prevent the proliferation of malignant cancerous cells, and promote induction of apoptosis.

Boosts Energy

Matcha tea powder contains a unique form of caffeine known as theophylline, which sustains the energy levels without any adverse effects (unlike energy drinks or sodas, which can make you crash). The slow release of energy due to theophylline helps in supporting the functionality of adrenal glands. It also maintains optimum hormonal levels. ^[rx]

Prevents Eye Disorders

Consumption of matcha leads to the absorption of catechin in the tissues of the eye, which can help prevent blindness caused by cataracts. It also boosts vision and may help prevent eye disorders, such as glaucoma. ^[rx]

Weight loss

Catechins present in matcha, which is a high level, have shown positive impacts on a reduction in body fat. leads to a reduction in body fat. It also helps boost metabolism which further leads to a decrease in body fat mass. ^[rx]

Improves Cognition

A study published in Trends in Food Science & Technology suggests that theanine found in matcha tea acts as a neurotransmitter. It exerts a calming effect on the brain without causing any drowsiness. This soothing effect helped the Buddhist monks in maintaining deep concentration during their meditation sessions and was the main reason behind its popularity. ^[rx]

Another study published in Biological Psychology reveals the possible anti-stress effects of theanine present in this tea, which assists in reducing the physiological and psychological stress responses by inhibiting the neuron excitation. This tea is also believed to boost memory and concentration. ^[rx]

Protects from Infections

Matcha tea rich in EGCG helps fight various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. According to a 2013 research study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology EGCG binds to the lipid membrane and exerts inhibitory action against the growth of various human pathogens. These include influenza A virus, hepatitis B, and C virus, herpes virus, adenovirus Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and Candida albicans yeast. While the exact mechanism of this action is unknown, it does show that matcha may be a great addition to protect against various infections. ^[rx]

Prevents Renal Damage

One research study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food conducted a test on diabetic subjects, where they were administered with matcha tea extracts. The study showed how matcha tea helps to prevent renal and hepatic damage. It is thought to be effective at restraining the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the kidneys. Green tea extracts also helped to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and may be considered as an ancillary treatment for this disease state. ^[rx] [rx]

Controls Type-2 Diabetes

Matcha tea is beneficial for those suffering from type-2 diabetes. In the same study as mentioned related to renal disease, above, it helps in maintaining a healthy metabolism by lowering blood sugar levels. This antioxidant-rich tea also reduced the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and hepatic glucose content in this research. While more studies are needed to bolster these anti-diabetes outcomes, preliminary findings are positive in its favor. ^[rx]

Strengthens the Immune System

Matcha contains various antioxidants, polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate, and L-theanine. All of these collectively contribute towards boosting the immune system and protecting against various antigens. ^[18]

Improves Cardiovascular Health

EGCG present in this tea may help to lower cholesterol levels thereby maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA, has suggested that EGCG also helps in reducing the accumulation of lipids and promotes autophagy in the vascular endothelial cells. ^[rx]

Side Effects

Matcha is a healthy green tea with multi-dimensional benefits, but consuming it in excess may lead to the following:

• Caffeine content: Matcha green tea powder contains some caffeine, which may trigger reactions. These reactions may include diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, and irritable bowel syndrome. If you are new to matcha and are unaware of its sensitivities, then it is always advisable to ensure natural vigilance while trying it for the first time.
• Lead: Matcha plant can absorb lead from the soil. Even organic matcha may contain some amount of lead. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid excess intake of this tea.
• During Pregnancy and Lactation: Prior to considering matcha tea for therapeutic purposes, an expert medical opinion would always help to better understand its effects especially during special conditions such as pregnancy and lactation.

Culinary Uses

Apart from healthy gains, matcha is widely popular as an ingredient in a range of food items. It is used to add flavor to a variety of confectionery items and drinks like:

• Chocolates
• Cakes
• Candies
• Cookies
• Green tea ice-creams
• Smoothies
• Milkshakes
• Lattes
• Alcoholic beverages

How does matcha compare to green tea?

Both regular brewed green tea and matcha contain caffeine, but less than coffee or black tea. Matcha appears to contain more caffeine that regular brewed green tea.

It also appears to contain more EGCG. ConsumerLab.com, an independent testing group, tested matcha products in 2015 and found that matcha provided 17 mg to 109 mg of EGCG per serving. By comparison, the average brewed green tea provides 25 to 86 mg per serving. While matcha powders contained more catechins per gram than brewed green tea, it was substantially more expensive: The lowest cost matcha powder was available at the time for $2.31 for 200mg of EGCG, compared to 27 cents for the same amount from brewed green tea. Compared to the powders, matcha in tea bags provides significantly less EGCG.

“Part of the whole aura [of drinking matcha] is that it’s an experience,” says Dr. Tod Cooperman, the president of ConsumerLab.com. “But you are paying a premium for that nice experience.”

What does matcha taste like?

“A good quality matcha is bright green and smooth. Average matcha will be yellow and grainy to touch—the tougher leaves of the tea bush,” says Cheadle. The quality of leaves impacts the taste. “A good match will not taste bitter at all; there will be a slightly sweet taste.”

Should you be concerned about lead in matcha tea?

Lead in green tea has been a concern. “Green tea is like a sponge for lead, ” says Cooperman. “It’s not surprising we have found over the years reasonably high levels in green tea.”

But ConsumerLab.com’s testing has found that even if a lead is found in the leaves used in green tea bags, it doesn’t appear to be absorbed into the water. Cooperman says his team was concerned about lead content in matcha because people consume the ground green tea leaves directly rather than in bags. However, their testing showed that among the six popular matcha brands they tested—DoMatcha, Encha Organic Matcha, Rishi Teahouse Matcha, Teavana Imperial Matcha, Kirkland Signature Green Tea, and The Republic of Tea Double Green Matcha Tea—the powders were not contaminated by lead or other metals, and also did not contain pesticides. As of now, Cooperman says he doesn’t believe lead exposure is a risk in the matcha currently sold in the United States.

“You can ingest without worrying,” says Cooperman. “We haven’t tested every brand out there, but the premium brands we have tested have been clean.”

How do you make matcha tea?

Matcha powder and hot water should be whisked together. It’s recommended that you use a tea strainer to sift the matcha into a bowl to avoid clumps. Then, add warm water and whisk it. (Traditionally this is done with a called a bamboo whisk called a chasen.) The whisking creates a foamy tea that can be poured into your cup. Some people add the powder to other hot liquids, like milk, to make a bright green latte.

Cheadle says she brings powders with her so she can shake it into a drink like water or a smoothie. It can also be added to other foods, like breads and pastries, for its color and flavor.

Where From Buy

References

Show More