1. peculiarities of Japanese matcha green tea.
Recently I started drinking matcha green tea on a regular basis. It's not really an ordinary green tea. It is harvested only once a year. The tea bushes are shaded a few weeks before harvesting to protect them from direct sunlight. This makes the leaves softer and juicier and removes any excessive bitterness. Tea made from such leaves is sweeter and has a higher amino acid content.
A distinctive feature of Japanese matcha tea is its shape: it is received from dried young and delicate tea leaves without stems and veins by grinding the powder in stone millstones. When it is brewed, the powder is partially dissolved in hot water, which increases the amount of beneficial antioxidants and vitamins in the content of this tea. If you know how to brew matcha tea, it will be much healthier than classic green tea.
There are at least 9 reasons to start drinking the match:
1. Matcha contains a lot of antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances and enzymes responsible for fighting oxidation. In particular, they rejuvenate the skin and prevent a number of dangerous diseases.
Scientists have found that matcha contains 100 times more epigallocatechin (EGC) than any other tea. EGC is the strongest antioxidant of the four major tea catechins, 25-100 times stronger than vitamins C and E. In matcha, 60% of the catechins are EGC. Of all the antioxidants, it is widely known for its anti-cancer properties.
2. Soothes
For more than a millennium, matcha green tea has been used by Chinese Taoists and Japanese Zen monks as a relaxing remedy for meditating - and staying "alert." We now know that this high state of consciousness is due to the amino acid L-Theanine found in the leaves. L-Theanine stimulates the production of alpha waves in the brain, which causes relaxation without drowsiness.
3. Improves memory and concentration
Another effect of L-Theanine is the production of dopamine and serotonin. These substances elevate mood and help improve memory and concentration.
4. Increases energy and stamina
While green tea energizes us with the caffeine it contains, matcha gives us an energy boost thanks to the same L-Theanine. The energy boost from a cup of matcha can last up to six hours and is not accompanied by nervousness or hypertension. It's good, clean energy!
5. Burns calories.
Matcha green tea speeds up your metabolism and helps your body burn fat about four times faster than usual. At the same time, matcha does not cause any side effects (increased heart rate, high blood pressure, etc.).
6. Cleanses the body
During the last three weeks before the tea leaves are harvested, the camellia chinensis is covered from sunlight. This results in a significant increase in chlorophyll, which not only gives the drink its beautiful bright green color, but is also a powerful detoxifier that can naturally remove heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body.
7. Strengthens the immune system
The catechins in matcha green tea have antibiotic properties that support overall health. In addition, just one cup of matcha provides significant amounts of potassium, vitamin A and C, iron, protein and calcium.
8. Normalizes cholesterol levels
Scientists aren't quite sure exactly how matcha normalizes cholesterol levels. However, studies show that people who drink matcha regularly have lower levels of bad cholesterol and higher levels of good cholesterol. Men who drink matcha green tea are 11% less likely to develop heart disease compared to those who do not drink it.
9. Has an amazing flavor.
Matcha is not only healthy, but it's also unusually delicious. Unlike many other teas to which we often want to add sugar, milk, honey or lemon, matcha is wonderful on its own. I tested this statement on myself. I don't really like regular green tea, but matcha is completely different in taste, it's really nice to drink.
So make a cup of matcha, sit back, relax, and enjoy the wonderful taste and benefits of this jade drink.
2. Applications of matcha tea in cooking, cosmetology, medicine.
This powder is good not only for classical brewing. Because of the beneficial properties of Japanese matcha tea and its refreshing effect, it is highly valued and has applications in cooking, cosmetology and even medicine.
Some people who regularly drink this tea noticeably improve their facial skin condition and eliminate acne and other skin inflammations. The tea can be used to make ice and wipe your face with or to make cosmetic masks based on the tea powder.
In addition, matcha green tea powder is used to make ice cream, sweets, various pastries and cocktails.
Because of its high health benefits, matcha tea is often also used as a dietary supplement. If you are attracted by the useful properties of this drink but don't want to drink it, you can buy matcha tea in capsules or take it as a dried powder, 1 tablespoon per day. You can also add it to smoothies or juices.
A number of studies have demonstrated matcha tea's ability to increase physical endurance by 24%.
Regular or intermittent consumption of matcha tea will definitely increase your tone, even if you are not taking part in a marathon. We already have a lot of stress in our lives, whether it's a deadline on an important project or unscheduled errands and trips.
A burst of energy and strength will always come in handy.
3. How to brew matcha tea properly.
To make this drink, take half a teaspoon of matcha and put it in a special large low cup, a matcha jiawan. Then heat mineral or spring water to 70-80 degrees, pour it into a matcha jiawan, and whip the beverage until it forms a small foam with a bamboo tea whisk.
I don't have a whisk and a special cup, but I'm fine without them.
In order to make matcha tea according to a classic recipe, you need to remember that brewing it is different from brewing ordinary green tea.
Depending on one's preference matcha tea is brewed in two ways: koitia (strong) and ledge (weak). The only difference is the dosage. For a strong tea you need 5 grams of tea per 80 ml of water. For weak tea, 2 grams of tea per 50 ml.
4. Contraindications.
Despite the obvious benefits of matcha tea, you should also remember that beverages containing caffeine (and this category of beverages includes all green teas) should not be drunk later than 4 hours before sleep.
Scientists have also found that green tea leaves contain lead by absorbing it from the air in the plantation. While 90% of the lead from classic green tea is ejected with the leaves, matcha tea, which is drunk with the leaves, enters our bodies with all the lead contained in its leaves. This does not mean that you should stop drinking matcha but you should not overdo it by drinking more than 1 or 2 cups per day.
5. How to Choose Matcha Tea.
When buying matcha tea pay attention to its color: it should be bright green.
You should also give preference to organic types of tea.
You should remember that real, high-quality green tea is not cheap, so do not try to look for matcha tea at a low price.
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