Your perfect matcha
If you have seen people walking out of the coffee shop with a green-coloured drink, or heard those around you talk about switching their morning coffee for matcha, you’re not alone.
When Gwyneth Paltrow took to Instagram to rave about her matcha latte at a New York City coffee shop in 2015, the craze began – and it certainly isn’t slowing down. Such a bright-coloured green drink caught the attention of many worldwide, especially since it is a colour not typically associated with delicious-tasting food.
Matcha is a finely ground powder from camellia sinensis tea leaves, just like green tea. Because of its unique growing process, it has a different nutrient profile, with more antioxidants and caffeine than typically seen in green tea.
With potential benefits to your heart, weight, and liver all proven, a matcha drink becomes a healthy alternative for one, or all of your daily caffeine fixes. Such antioxidants can help reduce cell damage or prevent chronic diseases through the stabilisation of harmful free radicals. As seen in several studies, matcha intake has demonstrated heightened attention span, reaction time, and memory, while proving beneficial for the brain function of older people. A compound called L-theanine, present in matcha, can promote alertness and deflect the ‘caffeine crash’ which follows intake.
With green tea extract known for boosting metabolism and enhancing fat burning, matcha is often too found in weight loss supplements. A study found that alongside exercise and appropriate dieting, up to 500mg of matcha per day could aid in weight loss and reduce body mass index.
Research has suggested matcha may have anti-cancer properties, and drinking the tea has also been linked to lowered heart disease risk factors.
Enjoy it at home
To 1.5 teaspoons of sifted matcha powder, add 1 tablespoon of hot water and whisk to combine. Add a sweetener of your choice and mix. Pour over ice and milk of your choice for a refreshing drink. Or, enjoy it hot by adding extra hot water or frothed milk to the matcha mixture.
