Matcha Tea - Why the Hype?

Matcha Tea seems to be the new ‘super drink’ and I have had many clients and friends asking me what the hype is all about over the last few months. Apparently the talk of the town amongst celebs at the latest New York Fashion Week (trust Kim Kardashian to give us health advise). Matcha literally means ‘powdered tea’ and in the case of the craze it is the product of green tea leaves that have been covered before harvesting to increase flavour and texture, hand selected, briefly steamed to stop fermentation, dried and aged in cold storage and stoneground. Like many traditional eastern tea’s there are specific instructions and even rituals in it’s preparation which include adding a teaspoon of matcha powder to a third of a cup of just below boiling water and whisked with a special bamboo brush until frothy. The idea is that when you order traditional green tea or drink any tea for that matter, you are simply infusing your water with the taste and a fraction of the nutrient value found in teas like green tea. The real nutritional value is absorbed through ingesting the whole leaf. The big deal here is that one serving of Matcha = at least 10 cups of brewed green tea’s worth of the minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. A recent study done by an American University found that Matcha possesses 20 times more antioxidants than pomegranates and or blueberries.

Some more health benefits the tea is said to boast: boosting your metabolism, rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins and minerals like C, selenium, chlorophyl, zinc and magnesium, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar and sparking a healthy, natural detoxification effect. The other alluring quality it claims is to be a natural ‘pick me up’ without causing caffeine jitters and increases concentration levels. Thousands of years ago Japanese monks used the drink to aid in medication practices and keep them alert and calm during the long hours of sitting. This is due to Matcha being rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that promotes relaxation and well-being while stimulating alpha brain waves which increase alertness, memory function and learning.

Matcha is also rich in polyphenols which can protect against heart disease, cancer and are anti-aging.

Now before you rush off to buy your bowls and bamboo whisks please understand that like any super food drinking this tea in isolation will not help you stay young, lose weight and fight off cancer. Like most ‘super foods’ Matcha is not cheap and there have also been warnings sent out in the US requesting that people make sure they source their Matcha from credible brands and be aware that some tea’s imported from China and Japan can contain lead due to the soil they have

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