The benefits of green tie lie in the leaves and can’t be extracted by water. So what’s a girl to do in a situation like this, you ask? No, you don’t have to start eating your tea leaves…

I present to you, Matcha.

  

Matcha is a green tea powder, made in Japan from plants carefully grown and protected in the shade. At harvest,the leaves are collected and then steamed, air-dried, and ground into a fine, chalky, vibrant green powder.

Due to the careful growing, harvesting, and preparation processes (and the fact that Japan doesn’t import a lot of its tea) this powder can be somewhat expensive. However, it lasts much longer than a traditional box of tea bags because the serving size is only about 1/2 – 1 teaspoon. (1 serving of matcha green tea powder is equal to TEN cups of brewed green tea!)

• Increased energy- without the jitters — Matcha has a large amount of in L-Theanine, which promotes relaxation and brain stimulation, giving a sense of “relaxed alertness.” (I switch from coffee to green tea often and never experience a caffeine headache, but I don’t deal with the anxious feeling caffeine in coffee gives me).
• Mental alertness – L-Theanine may also help memory and learning ability, along with a little extra focus for those days it’s hard to keep going.
• Antioxidant, cancer fighting properties – A compound called EGCG in matcha counteracts the free oxygen radicals (things we are exposed to every day in our polluted world) and helps us fight them, reducing the risks of cancer and aging.
• Detoxification of the body by binding to harmful toxins in the body and dissolving them
• Stabilizes blood sugar levels – matcha has some natural sugars that stabilize our blood sugar levels and avoid a spike in insulin levels.
• May support weight loss – studies have shown that Matcha acts as an appetite suppressant, a fat-fighter, and a thermogenic (raising your body’s ability to burn fat), helping you lose weight when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

You can use matcha in several ways, but my favorite is the latte I mentioned earlier. Just take 1/2 tsp of the Matcha powder, combine it with a small amount of water in a pan and whisk/stir until it is a smooth paste. Add 1 -1 1/2 cups of your choice of milk and continue whisking until the mixture boils. Add cinnamon, honey, cardamom, nutmeg, sweeteners, cacao, and any other toppings you’d like!

You can find Matcha in health food stores and online. Be sure to keep it in a cool, dry, dark place to preserve the quality and flavor of the powder. Do you already use Matcha? We would love to hear some of your favorite ways to use this bright green superfood 🙂