Everyone is talking about matcha green tea and with more reviews indicating it offers numerous benefits, it is little wonder that the demand is at an all time high. While this is the case, what is it made up of and what are the aspects that make it so popular? What are some of the things you need to know before proceeding to buy the same?
What is it?
Matcha powder is finely ground high quality powdered green tea grown in misty Japan Mountains and it is widely used in tea ceremonies. If you want high quality of this product, then you need to settle with one that is certified by the appropriate bodies.
Why drink it?
Matcha is believed to have high antioxidant levels and in addition to this, it is also nutritious. It has an ORAC score of more than 1380 which is high than that found in acai berries and blueberries. According to research, it contains high amino acids, catechins and vitamin C levels. Some of the health benefits that have been associated with this include the following.
- Aids inn fats oxidation
- Reduces cases of strokes by 21%
- Improves your metabolism rate.
- Aids in insulin stabilization.
- Reduces cases of bad breath.
How it is Grown and Harvested?
Matcha green tea is manufactured using tea leaves that are shade grown. A couple of weeks before they get harvested, tea bushes get covered for the purpose of prevention direct sunlight. Due to the lack of sunlight, growth comes to a halt and the leaves assume a darker green shade. This step is designed to aid in promotion of amino acid production. The quality of the leaves is checked while harvesting and the selected ones remain shaded for a while.
They can be spread out indoors or laid out to dry. These leaves dry out and crumble to form what is known as tencha. This is bright green and when it is grounded, it delivers fine talk like powder which becomes known as matcha powder. The highest quality is supposed to be bright green and any that tends to have beige, yellow or brown color is deemed to be of poor quality and without the health benefits associated with the product.
Where to Buy?
If you are interested in buying this, you will be pleased to note that there are several online vendors known to sell it. While this is the case, you have to consider a couple of factors in order to make an informed choice. For starters, these come in different brands and you have to make your choice wisely by settling with the well known and most reputed brand. Also, consider the quality, color and taste before making a choice. More importantly, it does not come in the form of a tea bag and if you get such, you should not make a purchase.