As you may already know, matcha tea is a type of powdered green tea that has been used for centuries in the Japanese tea ceremony.
Matcha tea is grown in a different way than traditional green tea. Once the tea plants have grown sufficiently, they are covered with umbrellas to protect them from the sun for the last 20-30 days before harvest. This causes the leaves to produce more chlorophyll and gives them a deeper green color. They are also subjected to a defoliation process to remove the oldest leaves and leave only the youngest and most tender ones.
After harvesting, the leaves are subjected to a drying process and ground into a fine powder. Matcha tea is ground in a special mill called ishiusu to a very fine powder. This process can take hours or even days, as a lot of skill and precision are required to obtain high-quality matcha tea. Once it has been ground, the matcha tea is packaged in tightly sealed containers to maintain its freshness and shipped around the world.
It is becoming more and more fashionable and everyone is talking about it, but do you know what it is for? Let's find out.
Matcha tea properties
Matcha tea is known for its antioxidant properties and has been associated with various health benefits. Some of its properties and potential benefits include:
- Source of antioxidants : Matcha tea is rich in antioxidants called catechins, especially epicatechin and epicatechin gallate. These antioxidants can help protect the body's cells from cell damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
- Additionally, it may help reduce the risk of heart disease : Some studies have suggested that regular consumption of matcha tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease, as it can lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol.
- May also improve brain function : Matcha tea has been linked to improved brain function and concentration. This is because it contains a small amount of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, which can work together to improve attention and learning ability.
- It can help you lose weight : Matcha tea has also been linked to weight loss, as it can speed up metabolism and help burn fat more quickly, which can help reduce appetite and increase feelings of satiety.
- It can reduce stress and anxiety : I always tell you that matcha tea gives you energy without nerves, so you avoid the unpleasant peaks and dips of coffee. This is because the L-theanine in matcha tea can have calming and relaxing properties.
In addition to the properties and health benefits that we mentioned above, matcha tea has also been linked to other potential health benefits. Some studies have suggested that regular consumption of matcha tea can:
- Help control diabetes : Some studies have suggested that matcha tea may help improve insulin sensitivity and control blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Improve dental health : Matcha tea can help prevent the formation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which can contribute to better dental health.
- Protect the skin : Matcha tea helps protect your skin from UV damage and premature aging.
- Improve bone health : Some studies have suggested that matcha tea may help improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.