Table Of Contents
- Organic Matcha Tea From Japan
- What is Matcha Powder From Japan?
- Matcha Tea Benefits
- Matcha Tea Is Scientifically Proven To Help People Relax
- Health Benefits Of Matcha Tea
- Matcha Green Tea Benefits
- Nutritional Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
- How Matcha Green Tea Achieves It’s High Antioxidant And Nutrient Count
- Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha Green Tea
- Matcha Green Tea Is Calming And Aids In Relaxation
- L-Theanine: How a Unique Anxiety Reducer and Mood Enhancer Increases Alpha Waves and Alertness
- Matcha Tea Is Great For Cleansing The Body
- Matcha Tea Tastes Great And Is Sugar-Free
- Green Tea Matcha – Where To Get The Best Price
- Where to Buy Green Tea Matcha
Organic Matcha Tea From Japan
Hello and thanks for stopping in to check out my website about matcha green tea. I first heard about this type of tea from my sister, she was drinking it for health reasons and I was very interested. I heard Matcha tea has the highest antioxidant count, more than any other tea or fruit.
From watching the news and other programs and doing some research online I know that antioxidants are great for your body and will help slow or stop cancer. There are many other benefits to anti-oxidants, just check out the Wikipedia page, and here is one talking about antioxidants and cancer. This is basically a fact sheet about what they help with.
Another benefit of Matcha tea beside the antioxidants is that it actually tastes great. Like most things, some people will love it the first time they try it while others will need to develop a taste for it, but it is definitely great to enjoy from time to time and the health benefits are great. This is my first post on this blog but I will be sure to update it with things like the benefits of Matcha green tea, matcha powder and other things that will be of interest. I will also update the site with sales and good deals on Matcha green tea.
What is Matcha Powder From Japan?
Organic matcha tea is a form of tea that is only brewed in Japan. The reason for this is that it requires a certain amount of heat, light, and weather conditions that are prominently found in Japan, which is why it has become known as Japanese Matcha tea. Matcha is not a new tea, in fact, it has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Japanese Samurai and other people such as Buddhists and Monks would use Matcha tea to help them reach a deeper state of meditation. Matcha tea has been used for thousands of years to help the Japanese people relax and meditate, but it has only recently been scientifically proven to do this very thing
Matcha Tea Benefits
The matcha is a neo-green, finely powdered tea that is prepared from tea leaves that are grown in the shade. It is specially brewed and served in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan. It is also used as a flavor for cookies, sweets, and alcoholic beverages, as well as sweets and smoothies. It is a little more expensive than other green teas. However, the way it is produced as well as the quality of the tea is what dictates the price and has a direct relation to matcha green tea benefits.
Matcha Green Tea BenefitsThe production process begins a few weeks before the harvesting of the tea leaves. The bushes are covered in an effort to generate 90% shade, and this is usually done for a three-week period. When this is done, it slows down the rate of growth of the tea plants by impacting the rate of photosynthesis. More amino acids and as well as higher levels of chlorophyll are accumulated in the tea leaves and this is what is responsible for the matcha’s sweet flavor as well as for many of the unique organic matcha tea health benefits.
To make the matcha, they harvest the best tea buds which are then steamed and set out to dry. The stems and veins are then removed from the dried leaves before grinding them. The tea leaves are then grounded in order to create great talc-like matcha green tea powder. When you brew the matcha it is not strained or left in a teapot. Instead, the leaf is also ingested with the tea thus matcha drinkers get the added health benefits from the chlorophyll.
Matcha green tea benefits are many including general benefits of green tea as well as some unique health benefits just for matcha tea. They include the fact that they contain higher levels of amino acids, polyphenois, vitamins, cathechins, as well as other antioxidants than other green teas. There are some studies that say that with respect to matcha tea health benefits, matcha’s nutritional value that is in it is comparable to ten glasses of other types of green teas. relaxation – yet another among our organic matcha tea health benefits is the fact that it also comprises of the amino acid known as L-theanine.
This helps with the relaxation of the mind. As such, people ingest it as a natural mood enhancer. Other amino acids are what give the tea the sweet flavor that it has, and it, therefore, tastes different from regular green tea body cleansing -the high concentration of antioxidants is also another great matcha green tea benefit. Comparative studies show that in comparison to other fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, matcha has in approximately ten times higher amount per gram cancer fighting -still another one of the matcha green tea benefits is the fact that it contains a very high level of catechin EGCg.
This is said to have cancer-fighting properties and it is an anti-oxidant weight loss effects – high level of chlorophyll due to the matcha growing conditions makes matcha the perfect tee for those seeking which type of tea to drink for green tea weight loss diet skincare – another of matcha green tea health benefits are acne fighting effects thanks to its high level of chlorophyll sugar-free – there is absolutely no sugar contained in matcha green tea so it is also a great option for diabetics energy booster – according to recent studies the energy boosting benefit of matcha tea is not only because of the caffeine that it contains but because of other nutritional ingredients that have a positive effect on physical as well as mental endurance fiber – matcha green tea also contains fiber, Potassium, and vitamins A and C which are important for overall health.
Organic Matcha Tea Is Scientifically Proven To Help People Relax
Recent scientific studies have confirmed the benefits of matcha tea that have been known for centuries. Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brain’s functioning. Stress can induce beta waves, which are associated with an excited and agitated state. However, L-Theanine creates alpha waves, which lead to a state of relaxed alertness. This is why matcha has been traditionally used for meditation and relaxation for centuries.
In addition to its relaxing properties, matcha is also known for its high concentration of L-Theanine. While L-Theanine is present in all types of tea, matcha may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than common black and green teas. This means that a bowl of matcha can promote concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy found in coffee. This makes matcha a great pick-me-up for the afternoon or any time you need extra focus.
Health Benefits Of Matcha Tea
There are many benefits of Matcha tea, some of which are more noticeable than others. I have already written about the Matcha green tea benefits in detail but I will cover them briefly here as well.
- High Antioxidant count – Matcha has the highest antioxidant count of any other beverage or fruit. Some studies have also shown that Matcha tea could help reduce serious health ailments
- High in nutrients – The leaves of the tea plant are grown under shade for the last few weeks during the growing season. This causes the plant to send massive amounts of nutrients and chlorophyll to the leaves. After this occurs the leaves are harvested to lock in all the nutrients.
- Very calming – This is the most noticeable effect for me, I feel very calm and focused after consuming a cup of organic matcha tea.
Matcha Green Tea Benefits
There are many benefits to drinking Matcha tea, some of which are purely for the enjoyment of the consumer and other benefits that involve health. In this article, I will cover the health benefits of Matcha Green tea, and touch briefly on the other benefits involved.
Nutritional Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
Many people know about the benefits of Green tea, but Matcha Green tea provides even more health benefits. Some of the advantages of Matcha tea over other teas include:
- rich in nutrients
- very high in antioxidants (higher than blueberries, gojiberries, pomegranates, orange juice, and spinach)
- contains fiber
- High in chlorophyll
- Sugar-free (great for diabetics or people who enjoy low-sugar diets)
You can see that there are many benefits to drinking tea that other beverages just don’t have. Matcha green tea contains more nutrients and antioxidants than any other tea or green tea in the world. This is achieved through delicate and precise growing, harvesting and processing.
How Matcha Green Tea Achieves It’s High Antioxidant And Nutrient Count
Matcha Green tea, like all other types of traditional tea, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. In fact, all black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea are made from the Camellia sinensis plant however different harvesting and preparation is used to make Matcha tea VERY high in antioxidants and nutrients Matcha Green tea is produced only in Japan. The rich green color is achieved by shading the tea bush before harvesting which causes them to turn a rich green color and become filled with chlorophyll. After the leaves are harvested they are steamed and then air-dried. Keep in mind that when producing Matcha tea everything is done by hand. After the tea leaves are harvested and dried they are hand sorted depending on the grade. The leaves are then de-stemmed and de-veined. Once the leaves have reached this stage they are known as tench, the trench is then ground by stone into a fine powder which you know as Matcha. There are different grades of Matcha, the tea grade Matcha is ground by stone into a fine powder however the industrial grade tea is ground by machine. The stone grinding will produce a differently shaped powder which has an impact on the texture and taste.
Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha Green Tea
Now that you know what is in organic matcha tea it will be easier to understand the Matcha green tea health benefits. I will outline some of the most noticeable benefits of drinking matcha tea below.
High antioxidant count – If you watch Oprah or any health show, or read any health magazine you should have heard of the benefits of antioxidants. If not here is a quick summary for you “Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases” you can read more on the National Institute of Medicine. Antioxidants are measured with ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. The ORAC rating of matcha is 1300 units/g, compared to 105 units/g for pomegranates and 91 units/g for wild blueberries. Matcha green tea has a higher antioxidant count than any other super fruit including goji berries, acai, cranberries, raspberries or blueberries (plus it is a pleasure to drink in the morning)
EGCG – EGCG is the most abundant catechin in most notably tea (highest count in Matcha Green tea), among other plants, and is also a potent antioxidant that may have therapeutic properties for many disorders including cancer. EGCG has been reported to help prevent cancer, HIV, and other disorders.
Amino acids – Amino acids are very important for the health and wellness of a person and play many roles in metabolism. One of the most important functions of amino acids is to act as the building block of proteins. Amino acids can link with other amino acids in different sequences to make up a number of different proteins. This helps the body get the proteins it needs and easily take them in and use them.
Other nutrients include fiber, Vitamin A, C and Potassium, you can see that just drinking a little bit of tea each day can help improve your health. Besides the nutrients there are also other health benefits of Matcha green tea.
Matcha Green Tea Is Calming And Aids In Relaxation
The Japanese have been enjoying Matcha Green tea for many many years, possibly as far back as the year 1191. They drink Matcha tea because it helps them relax, as well as focus and achieve a deeper state of meditation. The Japanese drank it because it worked, but here in North America we need proof so we conducted studies. Studies show that Matcha green tea contains the highest amount of L-Theanine over any other type of green tea, and L-Theanine can be very helpful to aid in relaxation.
L-Theanine: How a Unique Anxiety Reducer and Mood Enhancer Increases Alpha Waves and Alertness
“The calming effect of green tea may seem contradictory to the stimulatory property of tea’s caffeine content but it can be explained by the action of L-theanine. This amino acid actually acts antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine on the nervous system. (1) Research on human volunteers has demonstrated that L-theanine creates a sense of relaxation in approximately 30-40 minutes after ingestion via at least two different mechanisms. First, this amino acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating a state of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to what is achieved through meditation. Second, L-theanine is involved in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect.”
Combine the naturally and physically calming effects of sitting down to enjoy a hot cup of tea with the physiological effects of L-Theanine and you have yourself one powerful relaxation tool!
Matcha Tea Is Great For Cleansing The Body
Matcha tea contains Chlorophyll which has been said to aid the body in removing heavy metals and toxins. I have looked for recent studies that support this statement but could only find claims made by companies selling chlorophyll supplements and other claims on natural health websites. I can’t say for sure that Chlorophyll will cleanse your body, but many dietitians will agree that foods rich in color are better for you and the Matcha Green tea leaves are picked when they are a dark green color so they are jam-packed with nutrients.
Matcha Tea Tastes Great And Is Sugar-Free
If you are a healthy person you will love the taste of Matcha, it is something you would not want to add any flavors or sugar too, and matcha is great to add to other things like shakes, yogurt, baking or even ice cream. With all the sugar we consume these days it is nice to have a nice-tasting tea that tastes great without sugar or cream.
The first time I tried Matcha I enjoyed it, but after a few cups now I crave it. At first sip it had very earthy flavors, it was not bitter and had a very pleasant and smooth taste and texture. Some people describe the flavor as grassy, but there is just something to the flavor that makes you want more.
Green Tea Matcha – Where To Get The Best Price
Matcha Green tea is quickly becoming very popular in North America and it is no surprise why. Besides all the health benefits Green tea Matcha is also very nice to drink and helps keep you focused and alert. You might be thinking that every caffeinated beverage helps perk you up a little but Matcha tea is different, you see it contains L-theanine. Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress and improves cognition and mood in a synergistic manner with caffeine. Theanine also aids in the release of Dopamine which is a hormone used in the reward area of the brain. When Dopamine is released it can give a person a feeling of enjoyment and reinforcement which helps motivate them to perform certain activities. I for one experienced this after drinking my first cup of organic matcha tea and it helped me get a lot of work done. I was amazed at how productive I was and I didn’t learn until later about the effects of Green tea matcha.
Where to Buy Green Tea Matcha
Green Tea Matcha is not easy to find in stores, you may be able to find some in a specialty tea shop, however, the selection is usually fairly limited. In order for me to buy a tin of Matcha tea I would have to drive 120 kilometers to the closest tea shop that offers it, and they only have one brand.
If you would like the best deal on organic matcha tea I recommend visiting this website they have the best variety I have seen and also very good prices. I have not tried all of the Matcha tea brands from the website but I am saving up to buy every type and then I will do a review of each type and add the reviews to this website.