Matcha, the Beyonce of Tea

You are either already a matcha aficionado like myself, or else you’ve gotten wind of its magical superpowers. To be honest, its superstar hype should come as no surprise because, quite frankly, matcha can out-twerk any other tea, any day of the week.

Drinking one cup of matcha is equivalent to drinking 10 cups of regular green tea regarding its nutrient value. The secret behind matcha tea’s superpower is found in its polyphenol compounds called catechins, which are a form of antioxidants. Catechins are so ‘mega’ that they are thought to even be more powerful than both vitamins C and E in stopping oxidative damage to the cells. To boot, these unique polyphenol antioxidants in matcha have a very dense vitamin and mineral content due to the fact that matcha contains the entire tea leaves, providing a more concentrated source of its nutrients.

To put it in perspective, more than half of the dry weight of matcha is composed of polyphenols and catechins. These nutrients protect against infection and cellular oxidation, improve energy and endurance, reduce inflammation and LDL cholesterol, and possess potential antitumor properties, among others. When we drink matcha everyday, we are effectively taking a high-powered multi-vitamin.

While it naturally contains caffeine, it’s about half the amount that coffee has, so you don’t have to deal with jitters and crashes. It provides a steady, sustained release of energy throughout the day, keeping you calm and focused, unlike the racing heart and hard crashes you often get with coffee. Crazy in love yet? Ok, get ready…

What’s Happening When I Drink Matcha?

5. Lowers Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle is one of the best ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes, and some research suggests that adding matcha to your routine may be especially beneficial. For instance, one study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that consumption of green tea was associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and other risk factors.

Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that green tea consumption decreased blood sugar levels and improved long-term blood sugar control. Not only that, but green tea also led to a significant reduction in insulin levels as well.

6. Detoxifies the Body

Matcha’s rich green color is the result of its high chlorophyll levels. Chlorophyll is a type of plant pigment responsible for the absorption of light in the process of photosynthesis, which creates energy. In addition to giving matcha its signature vibrant hue, chlorophyll also aids in detoxification and can help promote the elimination of unwanted toxins, chemicals and heavy metals from the body. For this reason, consuming a daily cup of matcha tea is a great detox drink and an easy way to boost your intake of chlorophyll.

But as we are talking about detoxifying the body, like most things, not all matcha is created equal. So make sure to:

• 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. Look for matcha powder.
• 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.

How to Make It

Directions can vary, but here is an easy method for how to prepare matcha properly:

• Fill a teapot or kettle with fresh, filtered water and heat to just short of boiling.
• Add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to the bowl or cup.
• Add 2 ounces of water that is almost boiling.
• Whisk (ideally with a bamboo brush or matcha whisk) water and powder briskly in a straight line M or Z motion (not circular) for a minute until it looks thick and frothy with tiny bubbles. Matcha powder can clump, which is why it is important to whisk it in a straight line.
• Pour matcha into your cup and fill the rest with hot water (and or non-dairy milk) to your desired amount.

Risks and Side Effects

May induce twerking.