Do you know these 9 benefits of Matcha? Matcha Tea lovers might know that matcha is super popular in Japan and from there on spread throughout Asia, and later on to Europe, becoming one of the most beloved beverages in the whole world! Matcha holds a bit of a unique and special position in this parade.
Table of Contents
History of Matcha
Matcha is a Type of Green Tea
While matcha is famous as a type of green tea, in Japan it exists in many other forms as well. Matcha is being used in many different recipes, especially those of sweets: puddings, cakes, cookies, chocolate, mochi, ice cream… The list goes on and on. In Europe or in the United States, sweets with a hint of matcha might still be somewhat of a rarity, but these are a common treat in Japanese circles. This is because the history of matcha in Japan stretches out to several hundreds of years!→Get Yours Here!
Matcha and Green tea
The history of matcha is of course connected with the history of green tea. There are many myths and legends, as well as countless theories about how the technique of making matcha was developed. Nonetheless, we know that green tea originated in China, and was brought to Japan around the 9th century AD, probably by the Buddhist monk named Kukai. These events were followed by the popularization of tea amongst Japanese circles. According to one of the legends, the current Emperor was quite fond of tea, he ordered to create huge plantations over the modern region of Kansai. However, the tea that the Emperor drank still hadn’t evolved into matcha.
How did Matcha start?
History of matcha starts a couple of centuries after these events. Just like many other traditions in Japanese culture, matcha also finds its routes in Buddhism, particularly Zen philosophy. It is said that Chinese monks were the first to discover the powdered-tea: they would mix it with hot water, and drink the beverage to regain energy and vigor. The usage of the powdered-tea did not have a very long history in China, but it managed to survive in Japan up to this day, and even gain popularity all over the world!
Japanese tea ceremony
For a long period of time, however, the Japanese tea ceremony was the only way of tasting matcha tea. This also implied that only high-born persons could enjoy the beverage. Nevertheless, thanks to the progress of developing and making matcha, the powdered-tea became available to large masses of Japanese society.
Moreover, nowadays we can enjoy matcha and take in all of its benefits in many forms and shapes, be those sweets, a cup of Starbucks matcha-latte, or even the traditional tea ceremony! Check out this must-use tool in tea ceremony.
NO.1 Weight Loss
In the modern world, there is pressure on both men and women to maintain healthy weight, since stereotypically that is the accepted beauty standard. As a result we can see many people going to the gym every day, running in the streets, or dieting like crazy. It might be worth noting that scientific research has found out that matcha increases thermogenesis (the process of heat production in organisms) from 8% to 43%! Other research has been able to identify that drinking matcha before fitness training can help you burn 25% more fat than usual.
In other words, matcha quickens your metabolism by almost four times, which can help you lose weight. What makes things even better is that matcha will not lead to any side effects such as high blood pressure or increased heart rate.
NO.2 Antioxidants
For starters, we need to understand what antioxidants and their benefits are. Antioxidants are great for preventing damaging oxidizing agents from evolving, since they contain such substances as vitamin C or E. Antioxidants also help to prevent aging of one’s skin, as well as many dangerous diseases.
Scientific research has come to the conclusion that matcha includes almost 100 times more epigallocatechin (EGC) than any other type of tea. Incidentally, EGC is the strongest antioxidant of the four types of catechin which are present in teas. It is also 25-100 times more effective than vitamin C or E. Matcha has 60% of catechins, and these are, yes, you guessed it right, EGC! Another amazing quality of EGC is its ability to prevent cancer. A 2003 study which had been conducted by the University of Colorado, has established that by drinking only one cup of matcha you can gain 137 times more EGC compared to a regular cup of green tea!
NO.3 Help You Relax
For many centuries matcha has been used by Chinese Daoist and Japanese Zen-Buddhist monks as a means for relaxation. It is said that matcha would help them to relax during their meditations, as well as with the ability to stay concentrated for longer periods of time. Thanks to researchers and scientists, we now know that this is due to the presence of the amino acid theanine, which produces so called ‘alpha-waves’ in our brains, and allows us to relax without inducing sleepiness.
Matcha contains L-theanine, which is said to promote the production of neurotransmitter hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. These two are known to have a relaxing effect on our mental states. It should also be kept in mind that matcha includes a lot of caffeine as well. While we can definitely benefit from the intake of caffeine, too much of it can turn into a disadvantage.
NO.4 Stabilize Cholesterol Levels
While this is one of the interesting benefits of drinking matcha, scientist are still unable to identify why exactly matcha has the ability to stabilize the levels of cholesterol in one’s organism. However, research has shown, that people who consume matcha regularly have lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and higher levels of ‘good’ cholesterol, compared to people who don’t. And that is not all! It has also been proven, that men who drink matcha regularly have 11% less chance of acquiring heart diseases when compared to men who don’t drink matcha.
It should definitely be mentioned, that these effects are not limited to matcha alone, but have also been noted in people who consume other types of green tea!
NO.5 Better than Coffee
To many of us, coffee is an essential component in our busy daily lives. Caffeine gives us the much needed energy to get through another day of school, work or anything else really. While teas also contain caffeine, matcha has over three times the amount that can be found in regular tea. This is a benefit which is achieved through the method of preparation of matcha. Since matcha uses the ground leaves of green tea, we basically drink a thick ‘leaf potion’.→Get Yours Here!
While matcha and coffee have similar amounts of caffeine, matcha also includes the rare amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine, as already mentioned above, produces serotonin and dopamine, but its benefits don’t end here: it helps get rid of the side effects of caffeine, and gives energy without the presence of the unwanted anxiousness.
Nonetheless, experts do recommend to not drink matcha a couple of hours before sleep.
NO.6 Connect with Traditional Japanese Culture
Matcha pretty much plays the main part in the Japanese traditional tea ceremony, which might be obvious. After all, matcha is what’s being served during this ceremony! While the Japanese tea ceremony is a whole ritual, and should be addressed separately, it goes without saying that this is one of the rare opportunities to see Japanese culture at its very best.
The tea ceremony not only dates back to the age of samurai, but has been preserved in quite an authentic form. It presents many important aspects of Japanese culture, such as respect, love of silence and nature, connection to Buddhism, kimono, Japanese sweets… the list can go on and on.
To put it simply, if you love traditional Japan, you will definitely benefit from drinking matcha and taking part in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It is not only a great opportunity for getting to know the culture of Japan, but also for learning the country’s history and customs.
NO.7 Has a Unique and Interesting Taste
Many might not like matcha the first time they drink it, since it is quite bitter. If you get to drink matcha in a traditional environment, you will have to drink all of it, including the residue of the matcha powder. Otherwise you would be offending your hosts.
Matcha is definitely bitter, and there is no need to sugarcoat the truth, but it is delicious! In traditional Japanese settings you will also be given traditional Japanese sweets to help with the bitterness of the tea.
What makes matcha unique is simply this: we tend to add sugar or other kinds of sweets to our teas, but with matcha you never feel the need for making it sweet by artificial means.
NO.8 Accessibility
Matcha is relatively easy to acquire all over the globe. If you are in Japan you can find many different types of matcha even in konbini (convenience stores) such as Seven Eleven, Family Mart or Lawson. And mind you, the price is very reasonable too! Of course, one can also acquire high class matcha powder in specialized tea shops, but this will cost accordingly.
Now, if you are not in Japan, fret not! Matcha can still be easily bought online. While there are many matcha specific online stores, you can also make your purchases on Amazon. And if you are just impatient and want to get your hands on your matcha tea and its benefits right away, you can buy it in the nearby Walmart!
NO.9 It’s Stylish
Matcha has become a very trendy product in the past several years. You can find matcha latte in Starbucks or many other fancy coffee houses. You might get to see matcha cookies, matcha doughnuts, matcha sweets and cakes. These are incredibly delicious and definitely worth your money.
Matcha chocolate is also a thing! And one of the favoured ones in Japan and abroad is Matcha Kit-Kat! This one might be a bit harder to find in regular stores next door unless you are in Japan, but rest assured! Amazon is there for you and will deliver the matcha-flavoured Kit-Kat right to your door!
Matcha is an amazing beverage, a type of green tea which not only has countless benefits for your health, but also carries a rich and interesting history. Moreover, it is a part of Japan’s cultural heritage. Matcha may have started as a means of meditation for the Buddhist monks, but eventually it has evolved into its modern form: Nowadays matcha is available not only in Japan but also outside of its borders. It is easy to acquire both online and in the nearby stores. Matcha can be enjoyed in various forms, which is exactly what makes it so amazing!
What makes matcha even better, is that it allows us to connect to its historical Japanese origins, while enjoying the modern forms of the all-healing powdered tea!
So have some matcha during your next break, get re-energized and rock on!
You might also like:
→Main Types of Tea in Japan and their Health Benefits!
→10 Astonishing Matcha Recipes You Should Try!
→Top 14 Matcha Snacks You Must Try !
→Top 10 Matcha Tea Powder Home-Made Recipes!
