A warm, swirling aroma of grassy sea greens fills the air. Bamboo chimes wistfully knock together, creating a musical picture of painted mountain tops and tranquil gardens. The smooth, creamy taste washes over your palate, promising calm, focused energy. For a moment, you are relaxed; content. You've had your cup of Matcha, and you are now ready to take on the day like a true Zen Master.



Maybe you don't have the wind chimes, or a special tea room that opens to sweeping views of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji, but you definitely have a cup of that powdered serenity whisked into your daily routine. Whether it's a shot in your post-workout smoothie, the satisfying green froth on your tea latte, or a full cup of goodness that you whisked up in your office kitchen zen garden, Matcha provides you with all of the energy and antioxidants you need to rule the day.

What is Matcha?

Traditionally found in the Uji region of Japan, Matcha is a high-quality green tea that undergoes a unique growth and cultivation process. Entirely hand-processed, matcha is shade grown for the last week of its growth in order to release nutrient-rich chlorophyll and amino acids (particularly theanine) into the leaves. The shading of the tea plants creates beautiful deep green leaves that provide a creamy, vegetal taste without the bitterness or astringency that is often found in other teas. These leaves are either plucked and sold as the prestigious Gyokuro and Tencha green teas, or stone-ground in a mill to produce the powder we know as Matcha.

When looking to purchase Matcha, check the quality of the tea for Ceremonial Grade Uji Matcha or Culinary Grade, depending on your plans for use. Ceremonial Grade Matcha is traditionally used for a Japanese tea ceremony, often mixed with only water or non-animal products such as soy or almond milk. This type of Matcha is plucked and processed at the beginning of the harvest season, producing the highest-quality, nutrient-rich leaves. Ceremonial Matcha will have a smooth, creamy taste that is potent, but not overpowering. Culinary Grade Matcha is harvested later in the season, and is better used for a daily drink, of to add flavor or color in cooking and varied ingredient beverages. The health benefits tend to be similar in both grades.

Health Benefits

Why all the buzz about this green tea? Unlike other teas in its family, Matcha contains the entire leaf when its ground, so you're actually consuming the leaf in your beverage instead of brewed tea. It's like steaming vegetables: with a regular cup of tea, you steam the vegetables, but only drink the water that the vegetables are sitting in. With Matcha, you are drinking the water and eating the vegetables themselves, so you're getting the whole dish in your cup! Here are some health benefits from this awesome superfood:

High in antioxidants: Matcha is rich in natural antioxidants that help stabilize harmful free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells and cause chronic disease.

Fights Cancer:The antioxidants found in Matcha may slow down tumor growth in breast cancer. They also work against the free radicals caused by prostate, stomach colon, and throat cancer.

Reduces liver damage: Diabetes and fatty liver disease beware! Studies have shown that Matcha helps to improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes as well as reduce the impacts of fatty liver disease.

Immune Boosting: Green tea may help you fight off illness by altering the makeup of intestinal bacteria, as well as reducing the impacts of damaging cells created by allergic responses and asthma.

Good for your skin: Drinking Matcha daily can make skin more resistant to sunburn, and help rebuild damaged skin cells faster. When applied directly to the skin (in a paste or mask), Matcha cleanses pores and can assist in removing signs of aging caused by sun damage and skin cancer.

Boosts brain power: While high in caffeine (60mg-80mg), Matcha releases L-Theanine, which is the enzyme that works with the mind and body to create focused energy while relaxing the muscles. It also increases production of alpha brain waves that calm the mind while improving memory function.

Helps with weight loss: Matcha may boost metabolism function and help burn fat, as well as give you a kick of energy to help you get through your workout.

Whether you're in the mood for a relaxing cup of green tea (to go along with your desktop zen garden and wind chimes playlist), or a boost to keep you on your A-game, Matcha is the superfood that can do it all. Next time you're out, look for some top quality Matcha to add into your routine, and start feeling good about what's in your cup. A little self-care was never so deliciously easy.