The demand for matcha is at an all-time high. And there are countless ways to get your fix, whether it’s cafes punting their own variations on this green brew or companies releasing a slew of turbocharged powder blends you can mix up at home. But is matcha truly a superfood or just another super fad?
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a powder created by grinding down the tea leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant. The trick here is that farmers grow this flora in the shade for most of the year, which helps boost their amino acid and chlorophyll levels giving them their trademark green vibrancy.
Unlike many other kinds of tea, matcha is made using the entire tea leaf. As a result, the powder packs elevated levels of the type of nutrients you want from a superfood brew; namely, vitamins, fibre and caffeine.
READ MORE: Tea or Coffee: Which Morning Brew is Best?
Does Matcha Have Any Health Benefits?
The short answer: yes. The longer answer: well, it’s probably not the miracle fix being showcased all over TikTok. That said, there is some truth to some of these online personalities’ wilder claims. Here’s the tea on matcha’s percolated perks:
1. It Can Help Bust Stress
Much like green tea (which has been shown to help alleviate anxiety), matcha is a proven stress buster. A 2023 review looked at five different experimental studies to see how this green powder could help curtail the blues. In these studies, participants were given between 2g to 4g of matcha per day as either a tea, part of foods or as a capsule. In these studies, matcha helped decrease anxiety and stress while improving cognitive function and memory.
2. It May Protect the Liver
With the plethora of unhealthy food and alcohol on offer in our daily lives, our livers can take a beating. Fortunately, matcha may help safeguard this vital organ. In one meta-analysis, researchers found that the green drink showed some promise in helping reduce the risk of liver disease. However, there’s a caveat. There have been some studies that show that certain green tea supps could damage this organ, so sip carefully.
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3. It Can Help You Sleep Better…
… if you’re older. And bear in mind that matcha contains caffeine, so avoid sipping it just before bed. One study found that those aged between 60 to 85 who took 2g of matcha reported improved sleep quality.
4. It Could Boost Your Metabolism
Green tea, and thus matcha, contains a polyphenol known as catechin, which is associated with boosting your metabolism (and slowing the growth of cancer cells). In one study, researchers found that matcha contains almost 140 times the amount of catechin found in traditional green tea.
5. It Can Ramp Up Your Energy Levels
Feeling fatigued? Skip the coffee for a green alternative. Disclaimer: matcha doesn’t pack the same caffeinated punch as your espresso, but you’ll still net around 70mg of the good stuff in your standard cup. However, matcha does contain l-theanine which can help prime your for alertness.
6. It Can Help You Lose Weight
Provided you’re taking adequate dietary measures and exercising. One review found that 500mg of matcha per day over 12 weeks combined with the aforementioned combination may result in a reduced BMI.
Okay, I’m Sold… How Do I Prepare It?
If you’ve scooped a powder from your local health shop, you’re probably wondering how to prep it for consumption. Unlike your regular steeped brews, you’ll whisk matcha with water until it dissolves to create a rich, foamy drink.
Make sure the water is warm; not boiling. While there’s no concrete evidence that scorching water will sap the powder of its nutrients as many TikTok influencers claim, it can ruin the taste. For the best results, we recommend heating your hydro to around 75–85°C.
READ MORE: Can Drinking Coffee Help You Lose Weight?
You’ll need a whisk, too, to make sure it’s properly blended. A milk frother can get the job done, but we prefer a small electric whisk for straight-in-the-cup brews that don’t cake up your appliances. Traditionally, you would use a bamboo whisk (chasen). Try the below to elevate your next brew:
- For a matcha latte to match your coffee shop offerings, mix your matcha with hot water and then top up with steamed milk.
- No whisk? Shake up the matcha with the water in a jar or a protein shake shaker.
- Didn’t like your first brew? Adjust the ratio of water to matcha until you find a flavourful sweet spot. After all, people are raving about it, so chances are you’re one blend away from hitching yourself to the bandwagon.
What Matcha Should I Buy?
When it comes to getting your matcha fix, your options are near limitless. While we would recommend the traditional brew, companies are creating plenty of supps and extracts to streamline your sampling. Here are a few of our favourite products:
Matcha Superior Beginner Bundle
This is the perfect starter kit to test the waters (literally). You get a 40g tin of powder, a bamboo whisk and a bamboo spoon. In their own words, everything you need to whip up the perfect matcha crema.
Soaring Free Potent Plants Organic Matcha
This is pure, unadulterated matcha, and exactly what you need if you want the real deal. For extra flavour, they recommend stirring in some dried mint leaves or lemon rind.
Ceremony South Africa Matcha
In the matcha world, ceremonial-grade powder is in high demand. According to green tea enthusiasts, this type of matcha tends to be of higher quality and, thus, has a less bitter taste. All we can say is that this one aces all the taste tests.
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