Awesome Benefits Of Matcha Green Tea (An Upcoming Sensation)

What is matcha green tea?

Matcha green tea is a premium green tea from japan. Since hundreds of years the zen used matcha green tea to help in meditation as it helps in calming the mind. Matcha is shade harvested, steamed, air dried, destemmed and hand pounded green tea. There are no artificial colours or preservatives added. It is sugar free and gluten free thus can be consumed by most of the people around the world. Stone grinding retains matcha’s peculiar taste.

Benefits of matcha green tea powder –

Benefits of matcha green tea are more prevalent than general green tea. Matcha tea is powdered and mixed with water unlike other green teas which are just dipped in water and removed. Consuming powdered leaves helps in more availability of the antioxidants present. Hence matcha green tea benefits more than the general green tea.

Matcha is an antioxidant storehouse:

It contains 137 times more poly phenol than regular green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate (egcg) is the major poly phenol present. Egcg is believed to burn the fat stores in the body for energy. It also increases the body’s immunity towards the diseases. Studies show high antioxidant levels in matcha helps in fighting cancer. Ecgc also detoxifies the body and removes all the unwanted waste materials from the system. This improves the skin texture and health. Read – sources of antioxidants 

Matcha is a mind relaxant:

The amino acid l- theanine present in matcha relaxes the brain activity. It helps in sharpening the alertness and concentrating ability of an individual. This was mainly why the zen used matcha for meditation. L theanine also helps in enhancing the mood. L theanine along with chlorophyll imparts distinct taste and creamy texture to the product.

Matcha helps in weight loss:

Benefits of flax seeds on weight loss:

Matcha increases the body’s thermogenesis by 20 -25 % than normal. Increased thermogenesis raises the body’s metabolism. This burns the body fat and reduces the weight. Stone pounding of matcha green tea retains the fiber in the tea. High fiber content as we all know is beneficial in weight loss.

Matcha reduces blood cholesterol:

A study in american journal of clinical nutrition, says that matcha helps in reducing the ldl cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. The high antioxidant property also plays a vital role in enhancing heart functioning. Read – how to reduce triglycerides 

Matcha controls blood sugar:

Benefits of bitter gourd on diabetes:

The high fibre content maintains the blood sugar levels. The chromium present in the tea aids the insulin activity in the body. Matcha tea is sugar free and hence allows diabetics to consume it without worrying about the increased sugar.

How to select the best quality matcha green tea?

Now that you know about the benefits of matcha green tea powder on health, you would want to buy this immediately. Each and every individual has a different taste. Some prefer a neutral light taste, some prefer sweet or some prefer strong taste in green tea. Selecting matcha becomes very easy if we know our taste buds. The light colour green tea is more on sweeter side whereas the darker ones taste more astringent and strong.

Your selection of matcha green tea will also depend upon how you want to take it. Different recipes require different types of matcha green tea. Kitchens and cafes use the lighter green tea. Baking requires the stronger matcha green tea, as it is more stable in high temperatures. With baking, the taste of matcha green tea powder becomes very subtle. So, use a stronger green tea for baked products like cakes, muffins, cupcakes, macarons etc.

Where can I buy matcha green tea in india?

This questions seems to be breaking all google search records lately. Well, you can buy matcha green tea online on amazon. Unlike other green teas, matcha is actually been used in baking cakes and macarons. Matcha is also used in making smoothies and latte. If you like the cold pressed juices, you can also order your “lights “from raw pressery.

Where and how can I use matcha green tea?

You can use matcha green tea powder in various sweet and savoury preparations. Matcha compliments and enhances the taste of lattes, macaroni, smoothies, cakes, icing, milkshakes or soups.

Did you know? 

Traditionally japan uses matcha as usucha or koicha tea. Usucha is a thin consistency tea made of second best quality of matcha green tea. We just have to sift the tea powder in a bowl, add hot water and whisk till tea becomes frothy.

Whereas, koichais thick consistency liquid. It is made by adding half the amount of water to double the amount of highest quality powder. Generally, cafes serve koicha tea.

Recipes for using matcha green tea powder:

Here are some recipes in which you can use this and avail the wonderful benefits of matcha green tea.

1] Matcha iced tea

Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon – matcha green tea powder
• 3 teaspoon – hot water
• 1 teaspoon – honey
• 5-6 pieces of ice cubes

Method:

• Make a paste using matcha green tea powder and 2 – 3 teaspoons of hot water
• Add honey in the paste
• Fill the glass with ice cubes and pour the green tea paste over the ice
• Garnish with lemon rind and mint leaves and serve

 

2] Custard apple smoothie

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon – matcha green tea powder
• ½ small – custard apple
• 150 ml – milk (skimmed)
• ½ teaspoon (optional) – sugar

Method:

• Mix matcha with few drops of hot water and make slurry
• Blend custard apple, green tea slurry, milk and sugar (optional)
• Blend again with few ice cubes and serve it chilled
   

3] Latte

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon – matcha green tea powder
• 150 ml – milk

Method

• Mix matcha with few drops of hot water and make slurry
• Whisk the slurry till frothy
• Pour hot milk on this frothed green tea and serve hot
   

Apart from these recipes, you can use matcha green tea powder in macaroni. Add ½ teaspoon in white sauce of macaroni to get green gravy macaroni.

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