Ping! It’s the little sound of the wats app notification that I have received a new message. I opened my chat windows and sure there it is; new message on BFF chat group. We are meeting tomorrow. This is an ongoing ritual for me and my three besties to meet and unwind once a week. Next day, as per the plan all of us reached the café and going through the menu to give our order. Along with other jazzy names, my eyes stopped at some of the new beverages for me ‘Iced Matcha latte’, ‘Matcha Pink Drink’. I ordered a regular latte and joined the conversation rhythm but at the back of my mind, only one word was echoing Matcha.
So, after reaching home I started my conquest to know everything about the most trending Matcha tea. Obviously the first question; what is Matcha? Matcha is basically green tea obtained from the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, it is grown and cultivated differently from your regular green tea; these specially selected tea bushes are shadowed 2-3 weeks before the harvest which reduces its direct exposure to sunlight thus increasing the chlorophyll production. It also gives a dark green hue to the plant. Once these leaves are harvested, they are converted into a fine powder through ultra-fine milling; what you get after this process is a dark green powder which is our dear Matcha tea.
What is so special about this Matcha tea. Here are some trivia points basis various researches conducted to understand health benefits of Matcha: –
- 1 cup of Matcha tea is equivalent to having 10 cups of regular green tea
- Level of antioxidants available in Matcha tea is 137 times more than your regular green tea
Surprised, so was I when I read these numbers. With the level of antioxidants & polyphenol present in Matcha, it is safe to term it as the powerhouse of antioxidant. Along with the antioxidants, its loaded with other nutrients such as L-Theanine which helps in creating a state of relaxation and calmness. It is also helpful in meditation and several other aspects of cognition. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A, C, E, K, and minerals. How do all these elements present in this super drink help us in living a healthy life?
Antioxidants operate as our defense mechanism against infections and disease. Matcha is rich in catechins EGCG which provides protection from cancer. These antioxidants also work as the counteract of oxygen free radicals and protect our body from disorder or inflammation. It also helps in maintaining better blood sugar levels, blood pressure reduction, and improved metabolism. With the improved metabolism comes the positive impact on the weight loss issue as it helps you in burning your calories at a much faster pace but without having any side effects on your body. Since Matcha is rich in chlorophyll it also helps in detoxification of our body; helping to eliminate harmful toxins and chemicals from our body. It is also a proven source of an extra boost of energy for your day to day activities.
It sounds too good to be true right but the benefits of drinking Matcha tea are steeped in history. Samurai warriors used to drink Matcha tea for the calm alertness and Zen monk used this magical drink to improve their concentration for meditation. But here is the word of caution, “Moderation”. It’s suggested that one should include ½ – 2 teaspoons of Matcha tea in the daily intake. Also, pregnant and nursing mothers may stay away from consuming the Matcha tea. Including high quantity of matcha tea in your daily intake may lead to liver damage or lead contamination in your body.
There are more than enough scientific proofs about the positive impact of this magical drink on our body, so go right ahead and explore it on your own. As for me, next time I am meeting anyone in Starbucks I am going for their famous ‘Matcha Pink Drink’. Happy Sipping!
Image credits:Freepik