Matcha tea – features, beneficial properties, contraindications. What is matcha tea (matcha), benefits, how to brew What is matcha tea made from?

Ethnic tea. Matcha – green tea powder

Each country has its own national drinks, recipes for which have been developed over centuries. Some of them are so amazing in appearance, taste, and aroma that they attract the attention of people of other nationalities who want to try them and enjoy the sophistication of their taste sensations. Such unusual drinks include Japanese matcha tea powder. The original color of the drink is explained by the special technology of growing, manufacturing and brewing the tea mixture.

Matcha tea: history of origin, production and taste

Some people confuse two names that sound similar but mean completely different drinks. Mate is a Paraguayan (Latin American) tonic drink. Dried leaves of Paraguayan holly are used as raw materials for its preparation. While matcha (or matcha in another transcription) is a special type of green tea. To prepare it, a powdery mass is used, obtained as a result of special processing of the tea bush. In addition to the smell and taste, matcha is also striking in the bright green color of the resulting infusion.

From the history

To be completely honest, matcha came to Japan from China over a thousand years ago. It was brought to the Land of the Rising Sun by monks, followers of the teachings of Zen Buddhism. It began to spread in Japan in the 12th century. According to historical facts, green powdered tea was brought by Monk Eisai in 1191.

The Mongol invasion of China in the 13th century led to the decline of the tea drinking ritual. It was only revived in the 14th century. But now for cooking they began to use not the powder from dried leaves, but the leaves, shoots, and buds themselves.

In Japan, the ritual of drinking tea, which involved performing truly magical actions, rubbing the powder, whipping it with a special bamboo whisk, was preserved by the monks unchanged. Over time, the tradition spread first among the wealthiest families, and then among the poor. The ritual, used by monks as a preparatory step for meditation, became part of Japanese national culture.

In the 14th-16th centuries, large tea plantations quickly began to appear in Japan. Planters and tea masters have improved the process of growing, collecting, and preparing the drink, which now tastes even better and has a surprisingly refined aroma.

Receipt

• a thick-walled ceramic vessel capable of maintaining the temperature required for the match for a long time; it must be heated before use;
• bamboo spoon - chasyaka, which holds exactly 1 g of powder, it can be replaced with a regular teaspoon; if you scoop the powder flush with the edges, its weight will be 2 g;
• The drink is not only brewed with hot water, but also whipped with a special bamboo whisk - chasen.

To get real Japanese matcha, you need soft purified water, the temperature of which should not exceed 80º. Higher temperatures may cause the drink to become bitter.

Classic recipe

Depending on the required strength and saturation of the future drink, take the following for brewing:

• 2 g of powder per 70 ml of water - weak, light, slightly bitter usutya tea with or without foam;
• 4 g per 50 ml of water - strong koicha tea, stir it very slowly to prevent the formation of foam on the surface.

In order to prevent the formation of lumps, before starting cooking, pass the powder through a fine strainer, gently rubbing it with a chasya - a (bamboo) spoon. Then measure out the required amount of powder and pour it into a cup. Pour in the required volume of water (80ºС), beat with a bamboo whisk. Properly prepared tea should be homogeneous without lumps or grounds that have settled to the bottom or inner surface of the cup.

To prepare strong matcha, the highest quality, expensive powder is chosen, which is made from raw materials from old bushes, the age of which can exceed 30 years. This drink turns out sweeter and softer.

Simplified version

If you don’t have what you need, you can brew tea in a regular cup, sifting the powder through any suitable strainer using a teaspoon. After pouring a measured amount of powder into hot water, gently stir it, then pour it into a hermetically sealed container and shake it like a cocktail. This express method, of course, is far from ideal, but it allows you to get a drink that is vaguely reminiscent of the taste of Japanese matcha tea powder.

Matcha latte

Matcha tea with milk is becoming increasingly popular today. To prepare this milk drink, use regular cow's or almond milk (1 glass). The water is boiled and allowed to cool, the milk is simply heated. Mix tea powder, vanilla extract (1 tbsp) and coconut oil (2 tbsp) with a blender. Add water and milk to the resulting mixture and mix again. Honey is added to the already prepared drink to taste.

Rules for using matcha

There is no added sugar or milk to matcha. In order to neutralize the bitterness, you can enjoy the traditional Japanese sweet wagashi before drinking tea. Since the drink has a tonic, invigorating property, it is better to drink tea during the day, although real Japanese and gourmets enjoy it at any time of the day, slowly taking small sips and having a leisurely conversation. The matcha cannot be prepared in advance; it is drunk immediately after preparation, so that the grounds do not have time to settle to the bottom.

As already mentioned, green tea powder has the ability to burn fat, regulate cholesterol levels, and speed up metabolism. Therefore, it is included as a component in some dietary supplements and other formulations used for weight loss. It can also be included in diet food as a regular drink: take 0.5-1 teaspoon of powder per 100-150 ml of hot water. After brewing, let it brew for 0.5-1 minute.

Despite the fact that matcha contains large amounts of caffeine, even pregnant women can drink it 2-3 times a week, of course, if they do not have hypertension or other contraindications. However, before taking matcha for the first time, it is better to consult with your doctor. At the first signs of deterioration in the body’s condition, it is better to refuse green tea.

How to choose?

Before buying tea powder, you should take into account that a high-quality product cannot be cheap, so do not be tempted by the low price of goods in an online store or on supermarket shelves. In addition to Japan, matcha is also produced in Korea and China. Assess the color saturation of the powder. A quality match should be bright green.

Sometimes you can find blue matcha in stores. It is produced in Thailand. This “tea” powder is obtained not from tea, but from the dried flowers of the butterfly pea - Clitoria. It owes its name to its similarity to Japanese powdered tea, its consistency (fine powder) and the method of preparation using similar tea tools (bamboo whisk, spoon). The resulting drink will have a blue tint. By dropping a few drops of lemon juice into it, you can change the color to purple.

Use in cooking

Today, when healthy eating has become fashionable, matcha tea powder is becoming increasingly popular. It is used not only to prepare a tasty, beautiful, aromatic drink, but also as one of the ingredients in Japanese, North American, and European dishes:

• contains substances valuable for the human body, increasing the nutritional value of food;
• serves as a natural dye, giving products a bright or pale green tint;
• Possessing antibacterial properties, it is a natural preservative. Matcha is added to dietary supplements to improve metabolism, muesli, energy bars, candies, jellies, baked goods, sauces, ice cream. Okasi green chocolate, obtained from white chocolate by adding a small amount of powder, is popular.

The benefits and harms of matcha tea are associated with the presence of many biologically active compounds that can both treat and negatively affect human health.

What it is?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea made from the leaves of the plant. Camellia sinensis, from which regular green or black tea is made.

Matcha can be drunk as a regular tea drink. And it can be used as an ingredient in the preparation of various dishes, for example, desserts.

The birthplace of tea is Japan, where it is a traditional drink of tea ceremonies.

When producing matcha within two weeks Camellia sinensis grows in dark conditions. This helps increase the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves.

The drink has a bright, tart green tea taste with a slight sweet aftertaste. In terms of its effect on the human psyche, the first sip of matcha tea is compared to the first taste of genuine dark chocolate or good red wine.

Due to the presence of large amounts of the amino acid L-theanine in the drink, it has a so-called “fifth taste”, or umami, described as a rich, creamy taste.

In the production of matcha tea leaves, the leaves of the tea tree are turned into powder. That is, they use the whole leaf, and not its extract. This fundamentally distinguishes this drink from all other teas.

Thanks to this approach, matcha tea provides more antioxidants than any other tea. It also has a significantly higher concentration of chlorophyll, amino acids and fiber.

The nutritional value of one cup of matcha tea is superior to 10 cups of any other green drink.

In fact, by brewing tea leaves and then throwing them away, we lose the lion's share of beneficial compounds. Green tea powder makes it possible to use all the healing substances without residue.

In terms of the strength of its antioxidant effect, measured in ORAC units (oxygen free radical absorption capacity), matcha tea is tens of times superior to other popular sources of antioxidants, such as blueberries.

Beneficial features

Cancer Prevention

All antioxidants have the ability to protect humans from the occurrence of malignant tumors. But some antioxidants work especially effectively. These are catechins - molecules found only in green tea.

60% of the total antioxidants in matcha tea come from catechins, including the most effective of them, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). One cup of powdered green tea contains 4 times more catechins than a regular brewed drink.

Catechins have been shown to have significant anti-cancer activity. Particularly useful for the prevention and treatment of breast, prostate, bladder and bowel cancer. They help not only prevent the onset of illness, but also prolong the life of those already sick.

Relaxation

The amino acid L-theanine, which this drink is rich in, is called a means of relaxing the mind. It helps you relax and get rid of heavy obsessive thoughts. And in combination with caffeine it gives calm vigor. Therefore, Buddhist monks often use matcha tea as a meditation drink that relaxes but keeps you awake.

L-theanine is present in all types of black and green tea, but there is 5 times more of it in matcha.

Detoxify the body and increase stamina

Another explanation for why matcha tea is beneficial is its detoxifying activity.

It has been established that chlorophyll helps remove harmful substances from the body, including heavy metal toxins.

Matcha tea contains significantly more chlorophyll than any other tea. And not only because the whole tea tree leaves are used, and not just their extract. But also because this tea is grown in dark conditions. This is done specifically to enrich the leaves with chlorophyll.

Another important beneficial property of matcha is its ability to enhance physical endurance. A recent study showed that the drink can increase vitality by 24%.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Matcha tea helps reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.

More importantly, it protects LDL from oxidation. LDL in itself does not pose a health threat. But their oxidation causes atherosclerosis. Matcha helps to avoid such developments.

Effect on weight loss

Matcha is a product that is not just friendly to weight loss, it actually accelerates the burning of fat deposits.

EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) slows down the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine. The more norepinephrine, the greater thermogenesis, and, consequently, the rate of calorie burning.

It has been proven that while drinking this tea, people burn 4 times more calories than they usually do with the same physical activity. At the same time, matcha tea increases physical endurance. This means that you will end up burning even more calories because the drink will encourage you to do more physical activity.

Here are some more properties of matcha that are beneficial for weight loss:

• improved mental state, allowing you to avoid harmful snacks from melancholy, depression and anxiety;
• anti-inflammatory activity, suppressing chronic inflammatory processes in the body, which are one of the causes of excess weight gain;
• adding plant fiber to the diet, which is necessary for sustainable weight loss.

How to brew and use?

Japanese matcha green tea comes in different grades.

• Dakota is the lightest and most astringent. It is considered an economical option. Add to smoothies and desserts.
• Gotcha is a little darker than Dakota. Used to make lattes, cocktails, sauces. Pairs well with fruit and flower teas.
• Morning. The most common option. Usually brewed as a tea drink.
• Kama. Expensive ceremonial tea. Contains the most nutritional compounds. The darkest of all varieties and the brightest in taste.

The Morning variety is usually used to prepare a tea drink. There are two ways to brew: traditional and modern.

Traditional recipe

You will need: a special whisk for matcha tea, a tea bowl, and a strainer.

1. 1-2 teaspoons of powder are poured into a bowl through a sieve.
2. Add 60 ml hot water.
3. Beat with a whisk until foam forms.
4. Enjoy!

How to brew matcha tea the modern way?

Not all people have special accessories for tea ceremonies (bowls, whisks) and want to master the eastern wisdom of brewing tea. For them, matcha manufacturers have come up with a lightweight brewing method.

1. Pour 1 teaspoon of powder into a cup and add a drop of boiling water there.
2. Intensively grind the powder with water with a regular spoon.
3. Pour in another 180 ml of hot water.
4. Stir and drink.

Latte recipe

If we talk about how to brew matcha tea correctly, we must definitely mention the famous green latte.

You will need spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, ginger and cloves, in quantities according to your taste.

All spices must be placed in a saucepan. Pour in almond milk and put on fire.

While the milk is heating, the matcha is prepared in a cup (whisked with a whisk or simply mashed with a spoon). Then carefully pour in hot milk.

Can I replace nut milk with cow's milk?

From a culinary point of view, yes. But if you are interested in the health benefits of the drink, then you should not do this. Since regular milk has a negative effect on tea antioxidants, reducing their amount significantly.

Cold summer drink

Matcha tea is often drunk cold. This is an excellent tonic for a hot summer day.

Pour 1 teaspoon of powder into a glass and stir it in a drop of hot water.

Then pour in 170-180 ml of cold water. Stir. If desired, add ice cubes and a slice of lemon or lime, and mint leaves.

Green oil

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons of matcha tea of ​​the Gotcha or Dakota variety, a small stick of butter.

Melt the butter. Gradually, a little at a time, add tea powder into it and mix thoroughly after each addition.

Natural butter is a healing food product in itself. With green tea powder it becomes even more beneficial.

There are also a huge number of baking recipes and various desserts with this ingredient.

In fact, the use of matcha in cooking is limited only by the imagination of the cook. Just don’t forget that when matcha tea is mixed with sugar, added to baked goods, etc., the lion’s share of its beneficial properties is stolen.

Contraindications and side effects

Since matcha tea has extensive medicinal uses, it also has many contraindications. This always happens with products that have significant biological activity.

Matcha has 3 times more caffeine than regular green tea. People who, for one reason or another, are afraid of this connection should remember this.

Due to its high caffeine content, matcha tea is not worth:

• combine with alcoholic drinks;
• drink after 18.00 hours;
• include in the diet during pregnancy;
• give to small children.

Matcha should not be drunk on an empty stomach. This may cause stomach pain and nausea. Those who have acid reflux and stomach and duodenal ulcers should also be careful with the drink.

The drink impairs the absorption of iron and is therefore contraindicated for those who suffer from iron deficiency anemia.

Matcha alters the activity of many drugs:

• antibiotics;
• antidepressants and tranquilizers;
• birth control pills;
• antidiabetic agents;
• anticoagulants, etc.

If you are regularly taking any medications, consult your doctor.

Tea grown in China is often contaminated with lead. This statement is true for all types of tea, since Camellia sinensis sucks lead out of the soil. However, when we simply brew tea, 90% of the lead remains in the leaves. But in the case of powdered tea, it all ends up in the cup.

Therefore, you should not purchase the more economical Chinese version. Lead is also present in authentic Japanese tea, but in smaller quantities.

Health benefits and harms of matcha tea: conclusions

Health benefits and harms of matcha tea: conclusions

Matcha has many beneficial properties. The main ones:

• high content of unique antioxidants, including powerful catechin EGCG;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• cleansing the body of toxins;
• cancer prevention; normalization of lipid profile;
• improved control over blood sugar levels;
• help in losing weight.

Contraindications for drinking the drink are pregnancy, early childhood, anemia, and stomach ulcers. It should be used with caution by people who are constantly taking any medications. In this case, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Today, matcha tea is considered a traditional Japanese drink. However, this powdered green tea did not appear in the land of the rising sun, but in China. As early as the fifth century, the Chinese roasted tea leaves and then ground them. The resulting powder was pressed into briquettes, which were then brewed in boiling water with the addition of some mint or salt. Then the tea was whipped with a special whisk until foam appeared.

Matcha was brought to Japan by the Zen Buddhist monk Eisai. Initially, this tea was drunk exclusively by Japanese monks, but by the 16th century it was appreciated by all layers of Japanese society. It is interesting that in the Middle Kingdom, the homeland of matcha, green powdered tea gradually fell out of use and was forgotten, which is why many consider matcha a traditional Japanese product. So, a short historical excursion is completed, let’s now move on to the description of tea.

Beneficial properties of matcha tea

The most important property of matcha tea is its ability to have a tonic effect on the body. In many ways, the invigorating effect of drinking the drink is due to the fact that the tea is drunk completely (no brewed leaves remain). Connoisseurs of this drink say that one cup of matcha is equivalent to ten cups of regular matcha. This is largely why matcha is so popular among Japanese students when preparing for exams. In addition, tea serves as a natural source of vitamins and microelements, as well as antioxidants, which delay the development of the aging process of the body.

How to brew matcha tea

This drink is brewed in a special container (if available), which is a wide, low cup called matcha-jawan. One serving of the drink requires 3-4 bamboo tea spoons; if you use a regular teaspoon, you only need to take half of it. Then the tea must be whisked with a special whisk, which is called chasen. This process continues until foam appears on the surface of the tea, after which it can be consumed. Traditionally, the drink is drunk without adding sugar, milk or other products.

Contraindications

Most people can drink tea. One should only refrain from using it for those who have an individual intolerance to the drink. People suffering from hypertension should be careful when consuming matcha. This type of tea is recommended for use by mental and physical workers, students, schoolchildren, and all those who experience increased stress. Elderly people may benefit from matcha as a source of antioxidants, vitamins, and energy.

This type of green tea has a pleasant taste and has its own unique notes (which is why it is not recommended to overpower it with sugar or honey). However, it is useless to describe its aroma and taste - after all, they are indescribable. It is better to try the tea and form your own opinion about it. Perhaps, after tasting matcha, you will become a fan of it, like hundreds of thousands of people around the world!

Drinks from the world are sometimes so amazing that they leave an indelible impression on us, and this includes Japanese matcha tea. These are powdered leaves that, when brewed, give the drink an unusual green color. Eating matcha in your homeland is a very beautiful experience, but one that today can be experienced at home.

Matcha is a powdered mass of Japanese green tea. As a result of its brewing, the drink acquires a beautiful bright green color. Matcha is an integral part of ceremonial tea drinking in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Note! Which is correct to say: “matcha” or “matcha”? The correct name for Japanese ground tea is “matcha”, the stress in this word falls on the second syllable. “Matcha” is an acceptable colloquial form that can often be heard in Russian speech today.

From the history

Matcha powder owes its appearance in Japan to Zen Buddhists. In 1191, a monk named Eisai introduced Chinese matcha tea to his country. Over the years, matcha became forgotten in the Middle Kingdom, but in Japan, on the contrary, it gradually gained popularity. It became especially widespread among different social strata in the 14th-16th centuries. It was then that Japanese tea plantation owners improved the technology for producing the highest grades of matcha.

Receipt

The preparatory process of matcha begins even before collecting the raw materials: for some time (usually for several weeks), the tea bushes are shaded so that they are not exposed to direct rays of the sun. Such manipulations ensure that the growth of the plant slows down, its leaves become darker in color, and their leaves are enriched with a number of amino acids, which give the tea a sweetish taste.

At the next stage, the base for matcha - tencha - is prepared. This involves drying the collected untwisted tea leaves and then grinding them. In the direct production of matcha, the prepared base is removed from the stems and veins, and then this mass is ground to obtain a green powder reminiscent of talc.

Taste

The original taste of matcha is determined by the amino acids it contains. High quality tea has an intense, slightly sweet taste and rich aroma. Low-quality varieties (harvested later) have more modest taste characteristics, sometimes they can even impart an unpleasant and strong bitterness to the drink.

Benefits and contraindications

The benefits and harms of matcha for our body are incomparable: this Japanese powdered tea is a real treasury of valuable substances.

Beneficial features

Traditional tea from the Land of the Rising Sun has the following beneficial properties:

1. Matcha is rich in antioxidants. In terms of their quantity, this drink occupies a leading position among all other “antioxidant” drinks, berries, fruits, and vegetables. Powdered matcha contains more antioxidants than plain green tea, blueberries, prunes, broccoli, etc.
2. Due to antioxidants, it prevents skin aging. Reduces the negative impact of ultraviolet rays on it.
3. It helps strengthen our immunity.
4. Improves brain activity, ensuring good concentration and increasing the quality of assimilation of a large amount of information. At the same time, it relieves a person from nervous tension. Matcha is a drink that students in Japan are especially fond of during exams.
5. Stimulates the process of losing weight.
6. Helps reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
7. Used to prevent heart and vascular diseases. According to doctors, men are more often exposed to cardiovascular diseases than the fair half of humanity, but if they are fans of matcha tea, their risk of developing such ailments is reduced by 11%.
8. Makes a person more energetic and invigorates. At the same time, it does not increase blood pressure and does not have a negative effect on the activity of the heart. The effect of one cup of matcha can last up to 6 hours. It contains the amino acid L-theanine, which gives vigor and strength.
9. It is an excellent natural remedy for preventing urolithiasis. Promotes general cleansing of our body.
10. Reduces the risk of cancer. After all, matcha tea is a source of the strongest antioxidants - catechins (which are polyphenolic in nature).
11. Improves mental state, fights depression.

The listed provisions are just the basic properties of matcha. He also has other valuable qualities, thanks to which his fans prolong their lives.

Contraindications

Matcha tea has both beneficial properties and contraindications. The latter are due, first of all, to the presence of caffeine in the drink, which, however, has a milder effect on our body than other caffeine drinks. However, people for whom caffeine is contraindicated should drink matcha tea very carefully.

Also, the leaves of the tea bush can contain significant amounts of lead. When drinking powdered green tea, this heavy metal also penetrates into our body. Therefore, you should not neglect the “doses”: it is enough to drink 1-2 cups of matcha per day.

How to brew

Today, matcha brewing options are not limited to traditional methods. Let's look at some recipes and algorithms for preparing this unique drink.

Classic recipe

There are two main ways to brew matcha according to the classic recipe, one of which involves preparing a strong drink (koitya), and the other - a weak one (usutya).

Before brewing, it is advisable to pass the powdered tea through a special sieve, for example, using a traditional wooden spatula, to prevent the appearance of lumps.

The correct way to brew matcha tea is as follows:

1. A small amount of matcha is placed in a cup, traditionally using a chashaku (bamboo spoon).
2. Water is added to the powder. Its temperature should not exceed 80°C - this is a strict rule.
3. The resulting mass is whipped until smooth, using a traditional matcha tea whisk (chasen), also made of bamboo.

Note! The prepared drink should be free of lumps and tea grounds on the surface of the cup. According to the classic recipe, milk and sugar are not added to tea. To “bring down” the possible bitterness of the drink, you can eat a traditional sweet (wagashi) before drinking it.

Usucha, a weak matcha, should be properly prepared in the following proportion: 2 g of tea (2 tablespoons of chashaku or 1 level tsp) per 70 ml of water. This amount of ingredients is taken for 1 cup. This tea can be drunk with or without foam. What is the taste and color of usutya? It has a lighter hue and produces more bitterness than strong matcha.

The concentration of powder in koitya is much greater. It is prepared in the following proportion: 4 g of tea (4 spoons of chashaku or 1 heaped teaspoon) per 50 ml of water. The result is a mass of dense consistency, which should be stirred slowly to prevent foam from forming.

This is interesting! For strong matcha, as a rule, expensive raw materials are used, collected from the oldest bushes (their age reaches 30 years or more). As a result, this tea becomes softer and sweeter than weak matcha.

You can make matcha tea at home. It is important to acquire the powder itself and the necessary tools. To learn how tea is brewed according to the classic recipe, watch this video:

How to brew without a whisk

You should brew real matcha tea at home using the devices listed above. But, if you don’t have a special whisk or sieve at hand, you can resort to some tricks.

The following brewing method has long been known. Using a regular strainer, sift the tea powder. Pour a small amount of water heated to 80°C into a container with tea, lightly beat the mixture with a spoon. Then pour the mixture into a vessel with a well-closing lid, add the remaining volume of water (about 120 ml in total) and shake it all (just like a cocktail). Of course, this recipe is far from traditional, but you can still feel the taste of matcha, reminiscent of the real thing.

Matcha with milk, or matcha latte

Matcha tea latte is a popular milk drink today. To prepare it according to one of the recipes you will need (1 serving):

• water – 1 tbsp.;
• almond or plain milk – 1 tbsp.;
• matcha powder – 2 tbsp;
• coconut oil - about 2 tbsp;
• vanilla extract – 1 tbsp;
• honey (to taste) – 1-2 tbsp.

After boiling, leave the water for 5 minutes. for easy cooling. The milk is heated. Using a blender, tea powder, coconut oil, and vanilla extract are mixed. Water and milk are added to the resulting mixture, and everything is lightly mixed again. Honey is added to the finished drink. Then the matcha tea with milk (latte) is poured into a beautiful cup and drunk with absolute pleasure.

Some rules for using matcha

This Japanese drink, prepared according to a classic recipe, is bitter, so before drinking tea you can eat a non-cloying sweetness. Also, matcha tea should be drunk immediately after preparation: if it is left for a while, sediment may form. You need to drink matcha slowly, taking small sips.

Note! If you feel small particles in your mouth when drinking this foamy powdered tea, the matcha has not been whipped well enough.

Matcha during pregnancy

Drinking matcha tea during pregnancy is not prohibited. However, due to the presence of caffeine, expectant mothers should do this with extreme caution and better after consulting a doctor. Weak matcha definitely won’t harm pregnant women if you drink it no more than 2-3 times a week, one cup a day.

For weight loss

According to nutritionists, matcha is an excellent drink that can be included in a person’s diet for weight loss. This tea helps speed up metabolism, regulate cholesterol levels and, as a result, treat obesity.

Those who want to correct their figure can prepare matcha tea as follows: 0.5-1 tsp. powder tea leaves are sifted into a container through a strainer, then the tea is poured with 100-150 ml of heated boiled water (80°C), then everything is mixed well and infused for about half a minute. The calorie content of this tea is approximately 1 kcal per 100 g of powder (i.e., if one serving contains 2 g of matcha and 70 ml of water, the drink will contain 0.02 kcal or 20 cal).

What is the difference between mate and matcha

The names “mate” and “matcha” are similar, but they are completely different teas. Considered a tonic drink, it is especially rich in caffeine. The raw materials for this tea are leaves from the shoots of the Paraguayan holly tree. Mate is an ethnic tea that is an integral part of Argentine and other South American cultures.

Mate in a calabash (vessel) with bombilla (pipe)

How to choose

1. Before purchasing, look at the color of the matcha. The bright green powder is one of the proofs of the good quality of this tea.
2. Choose organic matcha.
3. Do not try to buy green powdered tea at a low price; its high-quality types have a high price on the market. It varies depending on the store, variety, quality and country of production (except for Japan, matcha is obtained in Korea and China) and averages 700 rubles. for 100 g. Premium Japanese tea sells for about 850 rubles. for 50 g.

Helpful information! You can purchase this unique tea in shops specializing in the sale of tea products, in stores selling Japanese goods, or through Internet resources.

Blue matcha

Blue matcha tea is obtained from dried Clitoria (moth pea) flowers ground into powder. The country of its production is Thailand. This tea is similar to traditional Japanese matcha only in that it is also a powder and is prepared using a bamboo whisk.

Interesting! To change the color of the flower drink to purple, you can add a drop of lemon juice to it.

Chocolate with matcha green tea

Today this powder is often used in cooking, for example, you can make cookies with matcha tea or buy ice cream with it. Chocolate with matcha green tea – Okasi – is popular. It is made from white chocolate with the addition of premium Japanese tea powder. It is a green chocolate bar. It goes well not only with green tea, but also with matcha latte and coffee. You can buy such a chocolate bar for 200 rubles or more.

Various recipes with matcha tea to realize your own culinary fantasies can be easily searched on the Internet.

If you are looking for something that can give you energy and strength, lift your mood and speed up your metabolism, matcha tea may be just what you need. Unlike its other relatives from the green tea family, this one differs both in its cultivation method and in its processing and methods of application.

In Japan, matcha, along with sencha, is one of the most popular drinks. The powdered leaves of this green tea are added to various drinks, dishes, desserts and cosmetics. The Japanese really value this type of tea and believe that it gives strength, improves immunity and helps to stay young and healthy longer.

What is matcha?
This is the name given to tencha leaves that have been grown in the shade. These are the same tea leaves from which both sencha and gunpowder are made, only the latter 2 varieties are grown in the sun.
That is, at first all tea leaves are called tencha, and only then, depending on the method of growing and processing, they turn into different types of tea.

Matcha tea - features and differences

Powdered matcha tea is considered especially beneficial for health, since when drinking this drink, a person absorbs the whole tea leaves, which means he receives much more antioxidants and vitamins, which are rich in all types of green tea.

Growing

Today, matcha, or matcha as the name sounds in Japanese, is grown not only in Japan but also in China and other regions of East Asia.

Almost as soon as green leaves appear on the tea bushes, they are covered with a fine net, which blocks almost all sunlight. This is done in order to slow down photosynthesis, which, according to manufacturers, increases its beneficial properties in tea.

Collection

The harvest of matcha tea leaves begins 88 days after the first day of spring. The first harvest produces the youngest leaves and is considered to produce the highest quality tea. Matcha lovers can distinguish the tea obtained from the leaves of the first harvest by color, smell and taste.

Recycling

Unlike other teas, matcha leaves are steamed after picking to prevent oxidation and preserve antioxidants. Then the stems are carefully removed and the tea is dried in a well-ventilated area, after which the leaves are made into a fine powder.

Taste

Matcha tea has a very rich, delicate taste with a slightly sweet aftertaste. If the purchased matcha has a bitter aftertaste, this is a sign of poor quality or the brewing water was too hot.

Matcha tea - beneficial properties

Connoisseurs of matcha tea are confident that one cup of this tea provides as many benefits for the body as 10 cups of regular green tea. In addition, by absorbing not only the drink, but also the tea leaves, the body receives vitamins, minerals and fiber, which they are rich in.

• Matcha tea powder contains 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea;

• A cup of matcha has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, but the difference is that this tea also contains l-theanine. Together, these substances not only give energy, but do not increase nervousness, as coffee does;

• Recent studies have shown that matcha increases physical endurance by 24%.

Alkalinity

Unlike coffee, which is considered an acidic product, matcha is alkaline, which helps maintain the acid-base balance in the body. This is an important aspect of health, given the fact that most of the food we are used to consuming has a high level of acidity. To maintain balance, you need to eat enough alkalizing foods.

Brain stimulation

More than a thousand years ago, matcha was brought to Japan as a meditation aid. Soon, it was its ability to relax and improve concentration at the same time that made this tea so popular.

Energy

A cup of matcha in the morning will fill your body with energy and new strength. Just like coffee, this tea is rich in caffeine, however, judging by many reviews, this energy is calmer and helps to focus on important things, since the energy from coffee is more impetuous.

Mood

Boosting immunity

Green tea is rich in polyphenols called catechins, of which matcha contains several times more than other varieties. These polyphenols are known for their immune-stimulating properties.

Acceleration of metabolism

It is one of the properties of matcha, for which it is very much loved by those who like themselves to be slim and athletic. According to many lovers of this drink, when playing sports. Matcha helps burn calories faster.

Benefits of matcha for skin

Antioxidants and polyphenols, which tea is rich in, increase the skin's ability to fight the negative effects of the environment, reduce sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation and neutralize free radicals. Green hour of any variety has long been recognized as a drink that preserves youth and health of the body.

How to brew matcha correctly

The Japanese don't just drink tea. It is matcha that is used in their tea ceremony and brewing it requires a whole set of items, but the point is that you need to mix the water and tea powder well. Thus, admirers of Japanese traditions use a measuring cup to accurately determine the amount of water and powder, a strainer to sift the tea leaves to avoid lumps, and a special bamboo brush with which to mix the drink.

The basic rule for brewing matcha is to monitor the water temperature. You should never pour boiling water over the powder; this will spoil the taste of the tea and reduce its beneficial properties.

Frequent green tea drinkers today have the opportunity to buy teapots with temperature control. An easier way to solve the problem is, after boiling, let the water cool for 5-7 minutes. The optimal temperature for brewing matcha is 70-80 degrees Celsius.

Brew matcha to taste. In Japan, there are 2 types of matcha based on strength: “usucha” (weak) and “koicha” (strong).

Celebrities go crazy for matcha tea. What it is?

Matcha can be added to drinks, desserts and dishes. It's a great idea to add powdered tea to your morning nutritious smoothies and breakfasts.

Contraindications and precautions

Despite all the benefits of green tea, and matcha in particular, do not forget that caffeine-rich drinks should not be drunk 6 hours before bedtime.

There is still one problem with the match. Studies have shown that even organically grown tea leaves contain lead. This is especially true for tea grown in China, where the level of environmental pollution is higher than in Japan.

Scientists have come to the conclusion that tea absorbs lead from the environment, and if when brewing other types of tea, 90% of the lead remains in the leaves, which are then thrown away, then with matcha things are a little different. So, when drinking tea along with tea leaves, we absorb all the lead contained in the leaves.

How to Choose the Best Matcha Tea

When buying matcha tea powder, pay attention to the following aspects:

• The color should be bright green, not dark green like sencha, for example;
• It is better to give preference to tea grown without chemicals, that is, organic;
• Matcha shouldn't be too cheap. Very often you can find ground sencha leaves on sale instead of real matcha. 30 grams of quality matcha will cost in the range of 20 to 50 dollars per 30 grams.
• Give preference to tea produced in Japan rather than in China. Japanese matcha is considered to be of better quality and is grown in more favorable conditions.

Japanese matcha tea powder is an interesting drink and deserves its popularity. Green tea lovers will appreciate this tasty and invigorating drink.