Why Drink Matcha?
By Emily Lindholm
Matcha tea has been rising in popularity in recent times. Matcha is a variety of green tea that is often ground into a powder, and the most popular way to drink it is in a latte. You can also find matcha shots in some places, as well as desserts with matcha powder incorporated into them.
Unlike a fad that fades quickly, matcha doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Reports are estimating that matcha will continue to be on the rise well into 2025, as Americans are looking for beneficial coffee alternatives and healthy solutions to their daily pick-me-ups. Though coffee is not necessarily unhealthy, matcha has higher antioxidant properties and is known for its ability to help sustain energy levels throughout the day without leaving you with an energy crash in the afternoon.
The Benefits of Matcha Tea
Matcha tea is known for its antioxidant content, but that is not all. Matcha tea has many health benefits. Since farmers leave it covered 20-30 days before harvest, it has a higher chlorophyll content. Because the entire leaf is used, a matcha drinker is getting all of those nutrients. The full benefits of matcha include:
- Antioxidants
- Helps protect the liver
- Boosts brain function
- May help prevent cancer
- Promotes a healthy heart
How do I Choose My Matcha?
Not all matcha is created equal. Mostly, you will find it either grown in China or Japan. However, matcha is a Japanese tea, beginning its cultivation in Japan over 1,000 years ago. Therefore, the highest quality of matcha tea will be the ones that are grown in Japan. Japanese Zen masters used matcha to help them focus during meditation, and samurai warriors would drink matcha before battle to help them stay alert. As something so deeply integrated into Japanese history, the Japanese put a lot of effort into making their matcha the best.
Even shopping for Japanese matcha alone can be overwhelming. You'll see different varieties, such as:
- Ceremonial matcha
- Organic matcha
- Culinary matcha
- Loose leaf
- Barista grade
How do you choose? My suggestion would be to go for ceremonial grade matcha if you're using it for a pick-me-up. Ceremonial grade matcha will leave you feeling the best. Simply organic matcha is not the same as the ceremonial grade. It may be organic, but it won't be as high quality as the ceremonial grade matcha. Ceremonial grade just means that it's of the quality that the samurais and the monks prefer. If you're using it for cooking, obviously go for culinary-grade matcha. Some people enjoy good loose-leaf matcha, but most people prefer the powder.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sarasota, Fla.