Perhaps you’ve noticed that the beverage and snack aisles of your local stores have become a little greener over the past few years. Like bacon, sriracha, and pumpkin spice before it, matcha green tea has become a ubiquitous flavour trend.  Coffee, smoothies, candies, biscuits, ice cream, pastries, and even crisps can now all be found with matcha flavouring. 

What is Matcha though?  You might recognize it as a variety of green tea but may still be curious as to what makes it special and how it gets its unique flavour.  Being a passionate matcha drinker and having lived in the country where matcha green tea originated, I will make an attempt at demystifying this flavour trend from the East.

What Is Matcha Green Tea?

Matcha is also one of the members of the big green tea family.  Like green tea, matcha comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. Therefore, it is rich in antioxidants and comes up with the same health benefits as green tea.

Related Reads:

Green Tea Health Benefits: Why Drink Green Tea

8 Best Green Teas for People Who Don’t Like Green Tea

How is Matcha Green Tea Produced

One of the first things that most people notice about any matcha product is its vibrant green colour.  This fantastic shade is achieved by a special technique that is applied during the cultivation of the tea leaves.  Tea that is intended to become matcha is protected from direct sunlight.  In removing the plant from the light, growers are effectively forcing the plant to produce more chlorophyll in order to absorb enough light for food production.  What results is a dark green tea leaf with a higher content of amino acids than normal leaves. 

After they are harvested the matcha leaves go through a unique drying process in which they remain unrolled.  Most green tea varieties see their leaves rolled up before they dry. Hence why your oolong tea always looks like little balls of tea.  Dried leaves of this variety are called tencha in Japanese.  Once the drying process is out of the way, the stems and veins are removed from the leaves and the remainder is ground into a fine powder.  By adding hot water to this fine powder we create matcha ¹

The Difference Between Matcha and Green Tea

The biggest difference between matcha and green tea is in the way we consume the tea leaves.

We make green tea by infusing the tea leaves in warm water and removing them before drinking the tea. While matcha on the other hand is derived from entire tea leaves. Upon harvest their stems and veins are removed, and finally stone ground into a fine green powder known as matcha.

In this way, the benefits of drinking matcha outnumber those of drinking green tea as we consume the whole leaf.

Another major difference between the two is in the way the tea plant is harvested. About a month before harvest, the tea that is specifically grown for matcha production is selected out and carefully protected from exposure to direct sunlight. Growing in shade further stimulates the increase in chlorophyll levels known as a pigment, as well as the production of amino acids. This process in turn renders the tea leaves darker, with vibrant green colour.

Matcha Green Tea and Nutrition

Matcha aids the immune system. Each green tea leaf is packed with antioxidants that help to prevent cell damage; catechins that neutralize chemicals in the body known as free radicals; amino acids called L-Theanine, and caffeine which can help to calm the mind and have relaxing effect on the body.

Since matcha is the entire leaf and not just what has been steeped out, the potency of one matcha green tea serving is roughly equal to consuming 10 cups of brewed green tea. Naturally, caffeine levels are also higher compared to that of green tea. A cup of steeped green tea contains about 32 mg of caffeine compared to 68 mg of caffeine in one serving of high-quality Matcha green tea. However, this is still significantly less than the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee, which amounts to about 94 mg.

One serving of matcha green tea contains a high amount of nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, lipids, minerals, antioxidants as well as vitamins. A good quality, organic matcha green tea powder from the 1^st and the 2^nd harvest is the most beneficial for health.

The scientific community has come up with a nutritional breakdown of all the ingredients found in 1g/1-2 spoons of matcha, and it’s unbelievable how numerous they are.

What Exactly Are the Benefits of Drinking Matcha?

Sustained Energy and Focus Throughout the Day

Many people resort to multiple doses of coffee throughout the day to stay focused.  However, the caffeine in coffee can only offer a quick spike in energy followed by a sudden drop.  It may have more caffeine than the average green tea, but it also lacks something else that makes green tea and matcha a wiser choice for those that don’t want the crash.  Matcha and other green teas possess an amino acid called L-Theanine and caffeine. When combined, this helps to make the caffeine release much slower. It takes approximately 6-8 hours for it to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream. Then it translates into an uninterrupted flow of energy and high concentration needed during work hours.

Calming Effect

The powerful combination of the amino acid L-theanine and caffeine in matcha green tea induce a state of relaxation. It’s increased levels of L-theanine promote alpha-waves, which leads to a relaxed state of mind while remaining alert. It was for this reason that Buddhists were drinking matcha green tea prior to meditation. 

L-theanine also stimulates the production of dopamine and serotonin, which work together to enhance mood, boost memory, and improve concentration.

L-theanine can actually access your brain directly through the blood and increase your body’s production of another neurotransmitter called GABA. This is part of the body’s natural way to deal with anxiety.

Rich in Antioxidants

According to a study from the National Institutes of Health, Matcha green tea powder is packed with 15 times more antioxidants than just about any of the other known sources such as blueberries, goji berries, or walnuts.  Scoring 1384 on a per gram basis, makes matcha by far the richest antioxidant compared to the rest of fruits and vegetables. ²

Helps Cell Renewal

Matcha green tea leaves are packed with polyphenol compounds called catechins. Catechins are a very powerful type of antioxidants that can protect against cell damage. When our bodies are exposed to harmful conditions such as smoking, processed foods, pollution, or radiation, the body’s cells release free radicals which are harmful and can cause serious diseases. ³

Natural Detoxifier

Many have suggested that the catechins found in matcha neutralize the effect of harmful free radicals in the body.  Supposedly the catechins act as a natural detoxifier, helping to regenerate the body at a cellular level, thus boosting immunity. Studies suggest that green tea consumption helps the body remove LDL cholesterol. Also, it is a great addition to a cholesterol-lowering diet.  Lowered cholesterol levels reduce build-up inside arteries minimizing the risk of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, type 2 diabetes (sugar levels control) inflammatory diseases, etc. ⁴

Ward Off Cancer and Other Serious Disease

Matcha is loaded with yet another very powerful catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). EGCG is an abundant antioxidant found in green tea and matcha.  Its concentration in matcha is significantly higher than in regular green tea.  Initial research is showing that the polyphenols and catechins present in green teas such as matcha may aid in preventing the spread and development of certain types of cancer.

Weight Loss:  Boosts Metabolism and Burns Calories

While matcha and green teas won’t slough off the pounds for you, certain study have hinted that they may be helpful for weight loss.  Regardless, replacing the sugary beverages in your diet with green tea will certainly help to reduce calories while keeping you nice and energised throughout the day. After all, when it comes to weight loss it’s all about cultivated good habits.

Matcha contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals that include B-complex vitamins which naturally help your body as it breaks down food into usable components.  It also contains trace amounts of iron and copper which are essential for cells to create the energy they need.  Many of the other vitamins in matcha are antioxidants. They help to catch the free radical by-products that occur as a result of chemical processes in the body.  Also, it is a natural source of fiber.  A cup of matcha can help you feel full between meals without relying on snacks, which adds extra calories. ⁵

Skin Care: Keeps Skin Healthy  

The large concentration of A and B complex vitamins present in matcha and other green teas are excellent for skin. The body needs these in order to keep tissues and skin healthy. Antioxidants present in the tea will also help the body process many of the free radicals and other natural by-products of body functions that contribute to aging.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. As a participant in the Amazon Associate Program, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

How To Make Matcha?

It is very easy. All that you will need is:

• A small size bowl
• 1-2tbs matcha green tea powder
• About 2oz (60 ml) hot water
• A whisk

For better taste and to ensure you are getting the best of your matcha drink it is better to use hot water just before boiling point 70-90C. After you pour the water if you have matcha whisker use it to whisk the powder lumps until it becomes frothy. Coffee “mixer” also provides this effect.

How to Make a Matcha Latte

• 1-2tbs matcha green tea powder
• 2 tbs of hot water (70C)

First mix the matcha powder with hot water. Then add hot milk and stir the mixture.

Matcha tastes amazing, and you wouldn’t have to add sugar, lemon or milk to make it palatable. It has a vibrant green colour and a nice aroma with crisp, savory taste from the L-theanine amino acid. It can be served hot and cold. One cup a day is optimal. However, don’t drink more than two cups a day so as to avoid the side effects of drinking matcha such as trouble sleeping.

What to Look for When Buying Matcha

When buying matcha it is better to look for the organic types to make sure you are getting all the benefits.  Matcha is widely available on Amazon, health stores, and probably your closest supermarket.   

It’s also recommended to check the colour.  Dark colour matcha is the ceremonial type, which implies higher quality, it smells sweet and feels silky under the fingertips.

Light colored matcha, or the culinary type is usually lower in quality.  It has slightly bitter flavour and is used for cooking.

Final Word:

The process of production gives matcha a pleasant and aromatic taste. Also it significantly widens the range of its health benefits. Thus, the demand for matcha has been increasing throughout the years, which has paved the way for its entry into Western culture.

Nowadays it has become widely available in our everyday life. You can buy a matcha latte at Starbucks, order an organic pack of matcha powder from Amazon, or even try your own matcha smoothies, cakes, and cookie recipes.

Matcha is a wellness trend, and simply adopting it into everyday life is opting to make healthy lifestyle changes.  Any healthy lifestyle change is a step towards living a healthy life.

Read Next:

Matcha Smoothie Bowl: Breakfast Recipe

How to Make Milk Tea at Home: The Hong Kong Way

How to Make Kombucha Tea at Home: A Beginners’ Guide

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1. 日本調理科学会誌 Vol.50 No.5 (2017) “Chemical Components of Matcha and Powdered Green Tea” Hideki Horie, Kaori Ema, Osamu Sumikawa https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/cookeryscience/50/5/50_182/_pdf.
2.   “Determination of Catechins in Matcha Green Tea by Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography” David J. Weiss, Christopher R. Anderton, Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA  25 June 2003. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/cea1/7fcbcdd910ac075a572c4e9ca5898114871f.pdf
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