Nowadays a lot is being heard of health benefits of tea. The drink considered a casual component of our day-to-day diet has now gained much honor because of its healthy ingredients. One of the most beneficial amongst these health-giving teas is matcha green tea. This tea is traditionally relished in the Japanese culture since ages and is the highest quality green tea available in powdered form. Let me tell you something more about it and its tremendous health benefits so as to encourage you to make it an essential part of your diet.
How Matcha Tea is Made
Matcha tea is made from the young leaves picked from the tips of Camellia sinensis plants that are grown in shade. These leaves are rich in nutrients. Before turning into powder, they are stemmed and steamed, and then they are stone-ground to make a fine powder.
To preserve its bright green color and wonderful health-giving ingredients, the Matcha green tea powder is stored away from oxygen and light.
Health Benefits of Matcha Tea
High Antioxidant Properties: Scientists have now realized the importance of antioxidants in fighting free radicals that attack our body daily and take us more and more towards aging and diseases. Everyday our body is exposed to the attack of a number of free radicals because of stress, pollution, contaminated or wrong foods and drinks and many other factors. In comparison, we don’t take in antioxidants available in raw fruits and vegetables, dairy, and other healthy foods. Matcha tea is easy and less time-consuming to make and drink. And it consists of 5 times more antioxidants than many other health foods of equal quantity.
Catechin and EGCg: You might know that not all antioxidants are same. Various green teas contain different sets of organic compounds called catechins. Catechins are the most beneficial and potent antioxidants and amongst catechins one of the most beneficial is epigallocatechin gallate or EGCg. Out of the catechins contained in Matcha tea, around 60% are EGCg. EGCg has been widely recognized for its anti-cancer properties. Matcha tea contains more than 100% more EGCg than any other type of green tea.
Calms Down: Matcha tea has been used by the Japanese Zen Buddhist monks and Chinese Daoists as an aide in calming down for meditation while remaining alert (without falling asleep). Today scientists have found that this state of being calm while being highly conscious is because of the amino acid L-Theanine which produces alpha waves in the brain which bring about relaxation.
Increased Energy Levels: All green teas contain caffeine. But the amount of energy increased matcha tea has been found to be the highest and it is because of its unique combination of other ingredients. And this energy boost coming from a bowl of matcha tea can last up to 6 hours. Also due to the goodness of L-Theanine, drinkers of matcha tea never experience the side effects of stimulants normally seen, like hypertension and nervousness. Thus the energy offered by matcha tea is clean and good!
Kineta Matcha Tea are the tea company who sell only the finest matcha green tea and other items related to matcha tea. Their organic ceremonial vitality Matcha green tea powder is the choice of tea masters and deliciously healthy. Visit their site to know more about the goodness of matcha tea. Images in this article are their courtesy.
