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We’ve all heard of green tea, but have you heard of the latest matcha tea that every health-conscious person seems to be drinking right now? Today we’re going to inform you on all the ultimate health benefits to this super tea. In case you didn’t know, matcha literally means “powdered tea.”

When you order traditional green tea, components from the leaves get infused into the hot water, then the leaves are discarded. With matcha, you’re drinking the actual leaves, which have been finely powdered and made into a solution, traditionally by mixing about a teaspoon of matcha powder with a third cup of hot water, which is then whisked with a bamboo brush until it froths. Unlike traditional green tea, matcha preparation involves covering the tea plants with shade cloths before they’re harvested.

This triggers the growth of leaves with better flavour and texture, which are hand-selected, steamed briefly to stop fermentation, then dried and aged in cold storage, which deepens the flavour. The dried leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder. One serving of matcha tea is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea.

It’s said that when you drink matcha you ingest the entire leaf and receive 100% of the powerful nutrients of the leaf matcha powdered green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea. Antioxidants are the body’s defence agents. They are chemical compounds that prevent ageing and chronic diseases. Put simply, the more you have, the better equipped your body is in the fight against infections and disease.

Because matcha is made from high-quality tea, and the whole leaves are ingested, it’s a more potent source of nutrients than steeped green tea. In addition to providing small amounts of vitamins and minerals, matcha is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been tied to protection against heart disease and cancer, as well as better blood sugar regulation, blood pressure reduction, and anti-ageing. Another polyphenol in matcha called EGCG has been shown in research to boost metabolism, and slow or halt the growth of cancer cells.

Because you’re consuming whole leaves in matcha, you may get three times as much caffeine than a cup of steeped tea, about the amount in a cup of brewed coffee. Matcha aficionados say that compared to the caffeine buzz from coffee, matcha creates an “alert calm” due to a natural substance it contains called l-theanine, which induces relaxation without drowsiness.

Already nearly calorie free, matcha is a great addition to a weight loss program by tackling the problem from both sides. It boosts metabolism and burns fat. One recent study even suggested that matcha may help burn calories by four times. At the same time, matcha does not put any stress on the body. It doesn’t raise blood pressure or heart rate, making it a safe alternative to questionable quick fixes or pharmaceuticals ridden with side effects.

Green is truly the colour of health. Matcha helps to safely cleanse and purge the body of harmful elements. Chlorophyll the element that gives green tea and other plants their signature verdant colour is also a powerful detoxifier, helping to eliminate both chemicals and heavy metals from the body. Because matcha is carefully shade-grown, it is substantially richer in chlorophyll than other green teas, making it a superior daily detox.

Danielle Mead

For more information on matcha tea and to purchase it for yourself click here.