Matcha is a tea obtained from a plant widely consumed in the Far East.

Tea leaves steam quickly after harvest. It is then dried and placed in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. It then removes the stems, branches and other unnecessary parts and grinds the leaves into powder.

Slightly sweeter and creamier than green tea, Matcha tastes and smells a bit grass-like. But the health benefits are endless.

Health Benefits of Matcha

Cell Renewals

Rich in antioxidants, Matcha helps protect cells from damage. Some studies say it contains more antioxidants than green tea.

Low Blood Pressure

Catechins, an antioxidant in matcha, reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Low Cholesterol

The catechins in matcha help your bad cholesterol and total cholesterol count. High cholesterol levels can cause heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Cancer

The polyphenols and other antioxidants in matcha may help protect your cells against cancer.

Dental Health

A cup of matcha tea a day can help keep your teeth in good shape. This may be because something in the leaves helps maintain a healthy acid level in your mouth.

Caffeine

Matcha can help you stay alert and focused when needed. This is because of the amount of caffeine in Matcha.

Arthritis

The antioxidants called polyphenols in matcha may alleviate the type caused by conditions like arthritis. It also slows down the destruction of cartilage that can be caused by arthritis.

How to Prepare Matcha Tea?

Whisk 1 to 2 teaspoons of matcha powder together with 2 to 4 ounces of nearly boiling water. It is ready to drink when it foams and mixes well.

You can also make smoothies and breakfast oatmeal from Matcha or mix them with yogurt. If you wish, you can use Matcha while preparing cakes and pancakes, and you can make a sauce for your plain vanilla ice cream.