SIMPLE HEALTHNUT
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • All Blog Posts
  • Recipes
  • Fabulous Finds
    • Kitchen Gadgets
    • Slip into Silk
    • Work it Out
  • Book
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • All Blog Posts
  • Recipes
  • Fabulous Finds
    • Kitchen Gadgets
    • Slip into Silk
    • Work it Out
  • Book
  • Contact

The Magic of Matcha

10/11/2016

Comments

 
​I'm so excited to be writing about matcha!  Unlike regular tea (which is an infusion of brewed leaves), a cup of matcha contains all the goodness of the entire leaf.

Many find the ceremony of making this tea an appealing part of the whole experience.  So, Line up your hot water and matcha powder and get ready to whisk.  You'll be rewarded with a cup of frothy goodness - and a quick arm workout too!
Picture
The Matcha Difference
The word matcha comes from the two Japanese words "ma" (powder) and "cha" (tea) which is exactly what it is.  A few weeks before harvesting, the plant is covered with a tarp or bamboo mat, which significantly increases the production of chlorophyll and an amino acid called L-theanine.  These two compounds are primarily responsible for the magic in matcha.      

​The L-theanine slows down the release of caffeine, which can make you feel both relaxed and alert.  And the abundance of chlorophyll is an effective detoxifier.  Matcha can also safely boost your metabolism without increasing your heart rate or raising your blood pressure. But the most exciting news is the abundance of antioxidants, including specific types of catechins called EGCg's which are believed to have amazing cancer-fighting properties. 
 
If this wasn't enough to have you whisking away like crazy, matcha also contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, and zero calories!  Of course, once you add all the goodies like milk and honey, you also add the calories.  But healthy food should taste good too!

Enjoying Matcha
When you get your tin of precious matcha powder, there are several ways to enjoy it. The simplest way is to add about one teaspoon to a cup of hot water and vigorously whisk until frothy.  However, this method is only for true devotees, and I'm not quite as sophisticated: I like to make a matcha latte (with whole milk and raw honey), or I'll add a spoonful of matcha to my smoothie.  And as it's such a versatile powder, I'm sure there are many other places to sneak it in, that we have yet to discover.  Happy whisking! 

UPDATE 03/17/19
I was experimenting with green drinks for St Patrick's day, and accidentally made a really delicious Matcha Mint Latte, which I have to share!  You can find the recipe here. 
Comments
    Picture

    Author

    Healthy eating is my passion, and I love to share what's worked for me.
    I'm not a fan of fad diets or complicated programs.  And I truly believe we can train our taste buds to love the food that will love us back!

    Please don't take anything you read here as medical advice. 

    Blogs

    Goodbye Ovaries!
    Sleep Well Tonight!
    My Scoop on Goop Lab

    Meet the REAL Oatmeal!
    Skincare and Serenity!
    The Perks of Coffee - and how it Changed my Life!
    Unscrambling Egg Labels
    All About C.H.O.W.
    ​
    ​
    The Buzz about Honey

    Chocolate is the New Wine

    The Magic of Matcha

    Sugar - The Not so Sweet Addiction

    Spray this, Not that
    ​

    Cheers to Water
    ​
    All Eyes on Carrots

    Archives

    February 2021
    July 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

Copyright Simple Healthnut 2014