The health world is always abuzz with one wellness trend or another, but there are a few fads that look like they’ll be sticking around. Matcha, matcha tea, matcha powder… whatever you want to call it, it’s here to stay! There are even matcha-dedicated café’s that have started popping up to celebrate this powerful little powder.
RELATED: The health benefits of LSA and why you should eat it
But do you know what matcha green tea powder actually does? Do you know how you can use it? And what about where to buy matcha powder? Here at beautyheaven we certainly didn’t! So let’s examine the benefits of matcha and matcha green tea together.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a powdered form of green tea. When a green tea is being made, the leaves are infused into hot water and then discarded, which means that most of the leaf is not consumed. Matcha is the result of crushing these green tea leaves into a fine powder, so that instead of just the leaf infusion, you’re getting the whole goodness of the green tea leaf.
RELATED: The benefits of manuka honey
Is matcha green tea good for you?
In a word – yep! By consuming the whole green tea leaf rather just the infusion, you’re getting 100 per cent of the nutrients that the leaf has to offer. According to Matcha Source, one cup of matcha powdered green tea is the equivalent of drink 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea! Matcha powder and matcha tea provide a powerful hit of antioxidants, boost the metabolism, aid in concentration and help to detox the body. And just like green tea, matcha contains caffeine which makes it an excellent substitute for your morning coffee – without the jitters!
How matcha can be used
Matcha powder can be used in a variety of different ways. The most popular way to incorporate matcha into your diet is to drink matcha tea. This involves adding 1-2 teaspoons of matcha green tea powder into hot water and stirring until the powder has mixed through. Matcha lattes are also a hot commodity in the café scene, where the matcha green tea is topped off with your choice of milk. Matcha can also be added to smoothies and food dishes – I’ve seen matcha pancakes, matcha donuts, matcha cupcakes, even matcha gnocchi! There are a million different ways to use matcha green tea powder.
RELATED: The health and beauty benefits of tea
Where to buy matcha powder
So you’re convinced and wanting to harness the benefits of matcha powder immediately! Good. Matcha green tea powder is readily available these days, from either your local health food store or even your supermarket. beautyheaven loves the Nature’s Way Super Matcha Green Tea Powder, Blackmores Superfoods Matcha Green Tea + Nature Boost Vitamin Bs and Matcha Maiden Organic Matcha Powder ($24.95 for 70g, matchamaiden.com).
Want to give matcha a bit of a road test before you commit to making it at home? You’re in luck, because matcha cafés are on almost every corner these days. Melbournites can’t go past Matcha Mylkbar for the famous ‘matcha burger’ (trust me, it’s good!) and Sydneysiders can head to Café Cre Asion for a matcha muffin. Perth matcha enthusiasts favour the matcha latte at Little Matcha Girl, Brisbane babes get a little fancy with the matcha lamington at Sinmei Tea and Hobart dwellers live for the Matcha Brûlée at Honey Badger Dessert Cafe.
Have you ever tried matcha? How do you like to get your matcha dose?
Spam below.
BH, please remove.
Too much of it makes whatever you have really bitter.