With the world being more rushed and stressed, matcha powder has become a go-to for health enthusiasts as it is rich in antioxidants, and helps improve concentration. Learn more about matcha powder and its benefits beyond its beautiful green colour!
What is Matcha Powder?
Matcha Powder is finely grounded Green Tea Powder that best retains the tea’s aroma and beneficial properties. It is commonly enjoyed hot or cold, and is also included in many Japanese desserts, sweets and recipes.
Matcha Powder is sourced from the leaves, young buds, and stems of the green tea plant. It must be harvested by hand during the spring season, typically from late April to early May, which is when the tea leaves are at their most vibrant green color and offer the sweetest, smoothest taste.
How many grades of Matcha Powder are there?
Matcha powder can generally be divided into two main grades:
- Ceremonial Grade Matcha: The highest quality grade of traditional matcha that is commonly used in Japanese tea ceremonies, and is made from the very first harvest of young tea leaves in spring (around late April to early May)—considered the best quality. These leaves are finely ground into a smooth powder, giving the matcha a smooth texture. This type is best consumed on its own without sugar or milk to fully highlight its naturally sweet and mellow flavor. It has no bitterness, and has a more vibrant green color than other types of tea leaves.
- Culinary Grade: Food-grade matcha that is used in cooking, baking, flavoring ice cream, smoothies, or made into drinks. It is made from more mature tea leaves with a coarser texture, resulting in a slightly darker or yellowish-green color, and is more affordable than ceremonial grade matcha.
The interesting health benefits of matcha powder include:
- Rich in antioxidants, in particular catechins, which protect cells from damage and help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
- Supports heart and blood vessel health by reducing the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), a major factor in cardiovascular disease.
- Helps detoxify the body and boosts liver efficiency.
- Helps with weight management by stimulating fat burning, reducing fat and sugar absorption, while curbing appetite.
- Protects the liver and supports the nervous system, which helps to reduce pain and fatigue.
Matcha Powder FAQs: From Cultivating Tea Leaves to Your Favorite Drink
How does matcha differ from regular green tea?
The two types of tea have differing production processes. Regular green tea are dried leaves which are roasted or steamed, then steeped in hot water where the leaves are then filtered out before drinking. Matcha Powder, on the other hand, is made by grinding shade-grown young tea leaves into a fine, vibrant green powder. This powder is consumed entirely when mixed into water, providing higher levels of antioxidant (in particular, catechins) than regular green tea, and varies depending on the matcha’s type and grade.
Does matcha contain caffeine? How much can we consume per day?
Matcha contains a moderate amount of caffeine where 1 gram of matcha contains approximately 19–44 mg of caffeine. However, the caffeine in matcha is released slowly, keeping you feeling alert for 4–6 hours without the jitter or crash from coffee. It is recommended to limit matcha intake to 2–3 cups per day to avoid caffeine-related side effects.
Why is Japanese Matcha so expensive?
The higher price that comes with Japanese matcha is due to its meticulous and time-consuming production process, from growing tea in the shade, increasing chlorophyll and amino acid levels, hand-harvesting only the tender top leaves, carefully steaming, drying, sorting, to grinding tea often with traditional methods. It is also produced in limited quantities which also contributes to the higher market price.
Can matcha help with weight loss?
Matcha Powder can aid in weight loss due to its high content of catechins, especially EGCG, which is known to boost metabolism and stimulate fat burn. It is also low in calories. For best results in weight management, it is recommended to drink matcha unsweetened and without milk.
Is it better to drink matcha with hot or cold water?
Each preparation method comes with its own pros and cons:
- Hot water: Ensure that water is at 80–85°C. Avoid boiling water (100°C), as it can make matcha taste bitter due to the over-release of catechins. Hot water helps the powder dissolve quickly, creates a nice froth, and enhances the tea’s aroma, perfect for those who enjoy a rich, comforting tea.
- Cold water: Produces a smoother and more refreshing taste, perfect for hotter days. It also helps retain nutrients and antioxidants. Although the matcha powder may take longer to dissolve, it makes a refreshing beverage when prepared with cold water and served over ice.
- With milk: A popular choice among matcha lovers. Serving matcha with healthy milk options such as almond milk, low-fat cow’s milk, or coconut milk gives a creamy matcha latte while preserving the tea’s flavor and aroma. The intensity of flavors will depend on the sweetness and type of milk used.
If you are looking for traditional matcha powder, or a premium-grade matcha with a rich aroma and bright green color for making healthy drinks, consider shopping for Japanese matcha online or in-store at Villa Market, a premium supermarket offering a wide range of curated products from around the globe in one place.
