Have you Tried Matcha Green Tea yet?

I love green tea! Whether it's matcha powder, loose leaf, or plain old tea bags, it's my favourite pick-me-up, without the same high levels of caffeine as black tea. I wasn't always a fan, especially as I had no clue how to make good green tea when I first tried it, and didn't know that there were options beyond the (sub-)standard teabags in the supermarket. If you are still unconvinced about green tea, and are scarred from previous encounters, then you may like matcha green tea, which has a distinctly different taste, and less bitterness. It also lends itself better to adding honey, lemon, cinnamon, or other ingredients to change the taste, and is great as a latté, in smoothies, and baking. Here are some of the benefits, and ways to enjoy it!

Matcha Benefits

If you want to get maximum health benefits from green tea, then matcha is the antioxidant powerhouse you are looking for! One cup of matcha tea is said to have the same antioxidant levels as ten cups of regular green tea. One big reason for this, is that instead of tea leaves, matcha green tea is in powder form, which is whisked so that you are drinking the powdered tea, rather than just water infused with tea leaves, which leaves the actual tea in a bag or strainer. It is claimed that matcha tea has over 100 times the antioxidants found in regular green tea, and that it has many other nutritional benefits, such as containing minerals like selenium, magnesium, chromium, and zinc, as well as vitamin C. It is also said to help boost the metabolism and start calorie-burning, as well as helping to lower cholesterol, and aid in detoxification.

How to Make Matcha Tea

To make a cup of matcha tea, you will need a whisk, which can be bamboo (preferably), metal, or electric. Often a long thin bamboo spoon is supplied with the tea, which is great for measuring it out. You don't need much powder for one cup, and you'll soon learn how strong or weak you like it. There's something very ceremonial and enjoyable about whisking up your matcha in a small Japanese bowl or a cute cup. I'm a sucker for Japanese cups, tea pots and bowls, so this adds to the experience for me, but, of course any cup will do!

Use a small amount of warm water for whisking, and then add in more hot water (a few minutes after it has boiled). It's better not to use boiling water, as this can affect the taste and possibly damage the antioxidants. It also means that you can drink it sooner when it's not as hot! Whisk until there are no lumps left, and the tea is slightly frothy.

Depending on how much you like the taste, you can add fresh lemon juice, cinnamon, or honey too. Different brands have different tastes, and I, personally, prefer some over others.

Choosing the Right Brand for you

If you'd like to try matcha tea, do your research to find a good brand with high quality powder. Companies often do samples, or tastings in health food shops. It can be expensive, so it is worth shopping around until you find one that you are happy with. I look for a premium grade matcha, which is usually more expensive, but for me it's worth it, as the taste is better, and it is usually more pure. It depends on whether you want to try it for the first time without spending too much, or whether you want a really good one for health purposes. Ask in your local health food store for help choosing the right one for you.

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