Matcha Tea Lattes - What's All The Buzz About?
- essentiallybotanic
- Nov 30, 2022
- 4 min read
Is this just a funny green drink or is it chock full of amazing health benefits?
There are almost 600 scientific studies on the benefits of green tea! Matcha is the purest and most nutrient dense form of green tea + you’re consuming the goodness of the whole leaf as opposed to just an infused water.
As both a fat-burner and cancer-fighter, matcha leaves other teas in its dust. Did you know numerous studies have shown that certain chemical compounds in matcha may help induce cancer cell death, neutralize harmful free radicals and enhance your body’s natural detoxification systems?
A meta-analysis of multiple observational studies found that women who drank the most green tea had a 22 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a concentrated powdered form of green tea that has been used for centuries in China and Japan. In fact, the term “matcha” and its pronunciation (maa-chuh) are derived from Japanese words meaning “ground” and “tea.”
Matcha is made from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub of the Theaceae family. All tea comes from this plant, but the variations in color and taste are the result of differences in processing.
The tea plants that are specifically grown and used to make matcha are typically shaded for two weeks to increase chlorophyll levels before the leaves are picked. After harvest, the green tea leaves are steamed, dried and ground into a fine powder.
The secret behind matcha tea’s super strength is found in its polyphenol compounds called catechins, which are a type of antioxidant found in superfoods like green tea, cocoa and apples.
Valued for being more catechin-dense than most foods, the health benefits of matcha tea generally are for those who regularly drink it. Potential benefits range from improved heart health to lower blood sugar levels, increased weight loss and beyond. I think I can drink this on the daily knowing it is doing this kind of work for me!
Benefits
1. May Help Prevent Cancer
2. Promotes Weight Loss
3. Benefits Exercise Performance
4. Best Food Source of Disease-Fighting Catechins
5. High Levels of L-Theanine for an Alert Calm
6. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease and Hypertension
7. Lowers Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
8. Detoxifies the Body
Peppermint Matcha Tea Latte
You will need:
2 TSP Matcha Powder
1 Cup Amond Milk
Sweetener to taste
1Tablespoon Organic Coconut Oil
1 Drop Peppermint Essential Oil
Directions:
Add all ingredients except Peppermint oil to a saucepan.
Warm until near boiling and turn off your stove top burner.
Add Peppermint oil
Using an electric handheld whisk, blend all ingredients together until fully blended
Pour into mug of choice and enjoy!
Where to Buy
This tea has become super popular, so there are many options for where to buy matcha tea, ranging from local grocery stores to health food stores, coffee shops and online retailers.
But, not all matcha is created equal. Here are a few quick tips to help you get the most bang for your buck and pick the best matcha powder possible:
Check the ingredients label and look for a matcha powder that only contains matcha
Opt for organic and non-GMO varieties whenever possible
Ceremonial-grade matcha is ideal for making properly whisked tea while culinary-grade can be used to make tea, lattes, baked goods and smoothies
Although you can find matcha in tea bag form as well, keep in mind that you won’t be consuming the whole leaf
Matcha purity and quality do come at a cost, and a low price tag can often be a sign of a poor-quality product
Although Chinese matcha is cheaper, it may be more likely to contain contaminants and pesticides than Japanese matcha
We all benefit when we share with each other the goods we have found.
So here I am sharing my recommendations for quality Matcha that are organic and some that have been tested for contaminants and heavy metals.
*some of the following are affiliate links that create no extra fees or charges for you!
Organic Burst Matcha
This brand is my favorite. It organic and is fully tested for all contaminants and heavy metal free. It taste sweet for a matcha tea instead of bitter and it blends well so it is creamy.
First pick from the very first spring harvest.
Steamed to avoid oxidation (not roasted or pan-fried).
Top 4 Leaves Only: the highest levels of L-Theanine
Ultra fine milling: for exquisite flavor & potent health effects
Tested for radiation, heat metals, and pesticides.
Find on organicburst.com
MicroIngredients Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder
This brand is culinary grade, unflavored, first harvest authentic Japanese origin.
100% pure matcha for smoothies, latte and baking, Non-GMO, Non-Irradiation.
USDA organic
3rd party tested to ensure it is safe, pure, and potent.
Tested for heavy metals. Gluten, dairy, and soy free (as it should be!)
Generally matcha tastes a little bitter and vegetal, but this bitter taste comes from catechins and chlorophyll. In organic farming, farmers do not use insect repellents and this allows plants start producing catechins intensively to protect themselves.
These beneficial antioxidants have high antibacterial properties and an acidic taste that repels insects. As a result, organic tea will have a more bitter taste and aroma than conventionally grown tea. At the same time, chlorophyll is very sensitive to temperature and using water above 80°C/176°F will break down chlorophyll, resulting in a bitter taste.
Amazon reviews:
"I've been enjoying matcha for years, and this package is a terrific value, great flavor, and blends as well as any other Matcha."
"I have used several products from the MicroIngredients company and they have all been exceptional. This Organic Matcha is everything I had hoped & expected from this company.
It has a great flavor and blends well with my bamboo or wire wink."
Tenzo Matcha Green Tea Powder
Tenzo Matcha Green Tea is grown sustainably in Kagoshima, Japan by local farmers who produce the highest ceremonial grade organic matcha on the earth. This is instantly apparent when you open a tin of Tenzo: the vibrant green color and ultra-fine consistency of the matcha indicates a high grade product. When you take your first sip, you will notice the difference.
The flavor of high quality matcha is sweet due to the amino acid L-Theanine. Low grade matcha lacks L-Theanine and therefore has a less-desired bitter flavor.
USDA Organic Ceremonial Grade
Paleo, Kosher, Vegan
Authentic Japanese Origin
Grown in Shade
Hand picked
Amazon Reviews:
"Hands down the best Matcha I’ve ever bought!"
"Pleasantly surprised by this matcha! I had no issues dissolving this powder in cold water/milk with a frothier. Others brands I have tried did not dissolve easily. Smooth, mild flavor."
"Best matcha hands down gives me tons of pure clean anxious free energy with the best taste."
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