They have been drinking green tea for thousands of years in China and Japan. In Europe, under the influence of the prevailing trend on healthy food, it is used more and more often. It is worth taking a closer look at one of its varieties – Matcha. Have you already heard about this health drink? Gourmets of grassy, slightly cereal notes will love him.
Matcha is powdered tea with a characteristic green color. It was considered the healthiest drink in the world – scientists have been studying its healing properties related to the production process for years. So how is it created?
Unlike ordinary, green tea, matcha is grown by shading the plants. At least two weeks before harvest, the bushes cover from the sun with dark mats, which is why their growth is slowed down.
Therefore, chlorophyll stops in the leaves – they become intensely green. These parts of plants are collected, dried and wiped into a powder that retains the green color.
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Due to the Matcha production process described above, we consume whole leaves of this plant, which are rich in polyphenols, i.e. catechin. These are strong antioxidants that protect cells against damage. Regular drinking of this drink can be a support for cancer prevention.
It is difficult to say that matcha is healthier than coffee. However, many people can captivate its grassy taste. It is worth knowing, however, that it contains less caffeine than a small black one, only 70 mg per cup (coffee is 100 mg).
This health drink also has a L-teanine, so after consuming it we do not feel shaking, which we cannot say about coffee. This relationship has a calming effect, reduces stress and anxiety. Still, it allows you to maintain mind. It is therefore worth drinking it even before bedtime when we need to calm down.
Matcha also has antiviral properties and increasing immunity. If we drink it regularly, we will reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
It should be added that both matcha and coffee accelerate metabolism. They can therefore help in burning calories. However, these drinks are not enough to lose weight. It is necessary to change eating habits and implement physical activity.
The easiest method of drinking matcha is to prepare it with a milk frother. Just pour 1 teaspoon of powdered tea into a cup and pour 100 ml of water at 70-80 degrees Celsius. Finally, mix thoroughly with the mentioned bumps. Some also make this drink in a sheker.
You can add your favorite milk to Matcha or sweeten it with e.g. maple syrup. It is better not to add sugar or creams to it, which will only eliminate health properties.
Powdered tea is not only suitable for drinking. It can be successfully used for ice cream, cocktails or desserts.
