Matcha is a very special kind of green tea that only grows in Japan. It is made into a powder form, which makes it unique compared to other teas.
Around a month or so before farmers want to harvest their crop, they start to cover the plants with pieces of bamboo. This gradually blocks out some of the sunlight, causing the plants to produce less of the bright green chlorophyll. This text is discussing how plants produce chlorophyll, which gives them their green color. Then the tea leaves are ground into a fine powder, giving it a rich and unique taste.
The Japanese people’s premium grade tea is matcha.
Interesting history with Samurais…
Only royalty and Samurais could originally afford the powder because it was so expensive to produce. Samurais believed that drinking tea had health benefits and that it helped them to focus during combat.
Soba noodles are now a common staple in the Japanese diet as they are one of the healthiest cultures in the world.
7 Matcha Tea Benefits That Will Enhance Your Holistic Health, According to Our Nutritionist
1.) Matcha powder is rich in antioxidants
Amy Fischer, MS, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian within the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Nutrition Lab, says that antioxidants sourced through natural dietary choices can help offset disease risk and help to limit inflammation across the board. Matcha is a rich source of antioxidants according to a 2021 scholarly study review. Matcha powder is rich in antioxidants, including catechins and polyphenols. These nutrients are essential for a balanced diet.
“Matcha is high in antioxidants such as L-theanine, chlorophyll, and polyphenols known as catechins,” Fischer says. “The catechin found in the greatest amount in [this form of] green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, which has been shown in research to have anti-inflammatory benefits with no severe adverse effects.”
2.) Pure matcha tea is packed with essential vitamins
Nutritional reviews of matcha powder indicate that it is a good source of nutrients, particularly vitamin A and vitamin C. A review from the journal Molecules found that matcha tea contains more vitamin C than other green teas, depending on the temperature it is served and how it is prepared.
The vitamin C in matcha can help protect your skin and also improve your immune system. A study from 2013 suggests that adding milk or cream to green tea can reduce the absorption of catechins and other nutrients you’d normally get from drinking it. If you want to reduce the strong flavor of matcha tea, adding fresh lemon may help you absorb its crucial nutrients better, according to research published in Antioxidants in 2019.
3.) The amino acids present in matcha powder may help improve brain function.
L-theanine is an amino acid that is only found in green tea according to Fischer. It is possible to incorporate this amino acid into your diet through green tea consumption. A lot of research has been done on the effects of matcha on cognitive health, and the results show that it can improve brain function and protect against age-related decline. The study found that this amino acid can help improve working memory skills over time. It also found that this amino acid can help with “executive function and attention.” A 2017 study that suggests the combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognition and brain function has led many experts to believe that L-theanine is worth continuing to study for its natural role in the prevention of memory decline. More research is certainly needed, in any case.
“Some studies have previously linked consumption of green tea with increased cognitive performance, but the majority of current results have ended up being mostly inconclusive,” Fischer explains. “A 2020 study examined matcha green tea powder consumption and memory function alongside impulsivity in the elderly; the study indicated that supplementation with matcha may help prevent cognitive decline in elderly women, though more research is needed.”
New research will continue to explore matcha green tea’s potential effects on cognition. A 2014 study found that consuming 2 grams of matcha powder daily for two months improved brain function in elderly people.
4.) Matcha tea is highly caffeinated but combats jitteriness
There is definitely a caffeine element to matcha’s taste and flavor when it is brewed as a tea. An amino acid called L-theanine is found in matcha powder. This amino acid “counteracts the effects of caffeine,” explains Fischer. Data shared in the journal Nutrients suggested that L-Theanine in matcha helps to produce dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to your overall mood.
Matcha powder contains more caffeine than regular green tea and almost as much as black coffee. Therefore, it is a good drink to have in the morning if you need an energy boost that won’t make you feel tired later in the day. You can enjoy the gentle spark of energy and alertness throughout a work routine by safely drinking multiple cups of this beverage in a single day.
The amount of caffeine in matcha powder can differ depending on the product, as things like the age of the leaves harvested and the brewing method you use can affect how strong it is, Fisher explains. Although matcha tea has less caffeine than coffee, it is still the most caffeinated type of tea.
5.) Matcha may have a small impact on cancer prevention.
Although the research in this area is not as well substantiated as in other areas and needs further review, Fischer says there have been individual studies that suggest that green tea consumption could be linked to reduced risk of multiple forms of cancers. An indicator of the link between tea consumption and ovarian cancer is a 2018 analysis published in Carcinogenesis, which showed that regular tea consumption could be associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
The reason matcha and green tea, in general, may play a role in lowering cancer risk is due to the amount of EGCG it contains. EGCG is a catechin that is usually linked to anti-cancer benefits in a myriad of studies. A 2001 study found that green tea extract decreased the tumor size and growth of breast cancer cells specifically in rats.
6.) Matcha may help boost heart health over time
There are a lot of studies that suggest green tea has a positive effect on cholesterol, even though many of those studies are small in scale. A review of research suggests that there might be a link between drinking green tea (including matcha) and lower LDL cholesterol levels, but that green tea has no effect on HDL cholesterol levels.
This is not the first study to suggest that green tea consumption may be linked with a decreased risk of heart disease and stroke. The fact that those who drink matcha tea regularly also tend to make other healthy choices in their lifestyle, such as in their diet, may color findings like these.
Fischer says that the findings of the review indicate that more research is needed to make definitive conclusions.
7.) Regularly drinking matcha tea is associated with having healthy, glowing skin.
Matcha tea has been linked to optimal skin health because it contains high levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to stimulate healthy skin growth. A study in 2017 found that vitamin C may help increase the production of collagen. This is important for keeping skin healthy. Fischer says that matcha powder contains other essential nutrients that can help provide a holistic wellness benefit.
“A recent study review indicated that green tea may improve skin affected by photoaging or detrimental effects from sun exposure,” she explains. “Green tea consumption was shown to have potential anti-wrinkle effects and provide collagen boosting properties.”
Polyphenols found in green tea may help to protect the skin from sunburn and other damage from UV exposure, according to some experts.
Where do I buy matcha green tea?
More and more matcha cafés are appearing all over the world, especially in America. A cup of matcha might cost you as much as $4 at one of these cafes! Thankfully, you can brew matcha inexpensively at home.
To make sure you’re getting a quality product, look for an organic brand that has a good reputation. There are some brands that falsely claim to be organic, so you’ll want to do your research to ensure you’re getting a genuine organic product. If you’re looking to buy matcha green tea, the best place to do so is on Amazon.
Although it may seem expensive, a package should last you for approximately one month if you use it on a daily basis.
It’s 100% organic, and it’s also a #1 bestseller on Amazon with lots of reviews and answered questions.
Matcha Green Tea Brewing Instructions
Ingredients
3/4 teaspoon matcha powder
1 cup (8 ounces) of water to just under a boil
Instructions
Sift the powder into the glass bowl.
Add the hot water.
Whisk with the bamboo whisk (not required but recommended for a frothier drink. You can use a spoon as well) in a “w” shape until frothy and well mixed.
Drink.
With so many brands of matcha green tea on the market, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. New brands seem to be popping up all the time, making it a challenge to stay up-to-date on the latest offerings. It has become very difficult to choose and find the right brand for you.
We have reviewed and ranked some of the top brands based on a number of different factors explained below. Our goal is to help you choose the right brand when making your purchase.
The best matcha tea brands will be brightly colored, organic, and come straight from Japan. Here are the top 5 brands in order from best to worst (or honorable mention, we’ll say!)
Top Recommended Brands of Matcha Green Tea Powder
Kenko Matcha Green Tea Powder
This is our best-of-the-best recommendation!
The matcha from this brand is very effective and of high quality. There is no better premium matcha green tea then the one mentioned.
The Negative: The price is a little high, but the quality is worth the investment.
The Bottom Line: It’s THE best product. A food that is USDA organic, all-natural, and considered a “superfood” that will improve your health. The best on the market.
Organic Matcha – Kiss Me Organic
This is our best-bang-for-your-buck recommendation!
The product is high quality and will definitely get the job done. It is also USDA organic certified. You’ll experience more energy, clarity, and vitality drinking it.
The cheaper manufacturing costs of China were chosen over Japan in order to save money.
The Bottom Line: A great product. If you want to try matcha green tea without spending a lot of money, this is the brand you should get.
Organic Matcha – uVernal
This coffee is both USDA organic and will make you feel great, helping you to beat your coffee habit if you so desire.
The matcha is made in China and some people find the taste to be not as pleasant as other brands.
The Bottom Line: A solid product. If you don’t like Kiss Me Organic’s matcha, this is the second best value option.
Jade Leaf
This is a good matcha powder that is organic and sourced from Japan.
The Bad: Deceptive packaging and marketing. The package is MUCH smaller than appears as advertised.
The Bottom Line: A solid product. The company is trying to save money by still getting matcha from Japan. It’s a shame that they use marketing techniques that mislead consumers. This product is a good option if you want to try matcha from Japan but don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Enzo’s Private Selection
This is a good, consistent matcha powder from a company that is certified USDA organic.
The product is sourced from China and is a little expensive for the lower quality.
The Bottom Line: A solid product. Try out Enzo’s matcha green tea if the other ones haven’t worked for you.
The Considerations For Matcha Green Tea
We read and analyze both positive and negative reviews, as well as fake reviews, to gain a better understanding. When a review is not genuine or is given in return for a favor, we disregard it and only look at the reviews from people who have used the product honestly. We also take into account that any brand that feels the need to buy/incentivize reviews is probably not one that consumers want to deal with. We consider ONLY honest, legitimate reviews!
The prices of the products have been compared in order to ensure that you get the most value for your money.
A brand’s reputation is one of the most important factors in determining its success. Stable and consistent brands are always rated more highly than others.
When purchasing matcha green tea powder, the quality can be a large factor. The tea leaves you want should be made in a safe environment and have a very bright green color. This allows the leaves to have more chlorophyll and be more nutrient dense.
