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Matcha is a green powdered tea whose properties have been known for millennia. Today it is also gaining popularity thanks to scientists who argue that matcha is a treasury of substances that can prevent the development of, among others cancer and cardiovascular disease. Check what other effects matcha tea has!

What is matcha?

Matchaisgreen tea powder , which is said to be the he althiest of all green teas. This is what the scientists who have been researchinghealing propertiesof matcha for many years are convinced by, which is certainly influenced by the production process.

Tea plants are shaded from the sun at least two weeks before harvest, slowing their growth. During this time, the leaves turn a pale shade of green and produce the amino acids that make the teasweeter and more aromatic. The collected leaves are dried and then grated into an intense green powder. Because matcha literally translates to"powdered tea".

What are the properties of matcha?

Matcha can protect against cancer and heart disease

Matcha is thetreasury of antioxidants (antioxidants) . These are substances that can prevent the development of, among others

  • cancer,
  • hypertension,
  • heart disease,
  • diabetes.

According to the researchers,one cup of matcha tea has the nutritional value of 10 cups of regular green tea.Besides, matcha is137 times richerin antioxidants. Probably because when drinking matcha tea, we do not just drink the decoction made from dried green tea leaves after pouring water over them, but the tea leaves, grated to dust.

Matcha instead of coffee

One cup of this Japanese tea provides almost the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee. However, matcha, unlike the little black dress,adds energy graduallyand avoids a sudden drop in strength.

Matcha has a relaxing effect

If you extend the brewing time of matcha (and other green tea) to 5-8 minutes, it will gainrelaxing propertiesthanks to L-theanine. Research shows that L-theanine does worksoothing, reducing stress and anxiety, stabilizing the mood, explains nutrition expert Ian Marber. She also adds thata diet enriched with L-Theanine has a relaxing effectand allows you to stay alert.

Read also: TEA - properties, types, interesting facts

Matcha a way to lose weight

Matcha is also a way to lose weight. It's all because of thecontent of a compound called EGCG( epigallocatechin gallatey), which improves metabolism, explains nutritionist Cynthia Pasquella. This is confirmed by studies conducted on mice and humans. Rodents that received regular injections of EGCG during the week lost more than 21%. your body weight.

In turn, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who drank green tea extractlost twice as much weightthan people in the group controls that did not consume the said extract.

However, nutritionists point out thatjust drinking matcha tea is not enough to lose weight , it can only support the weight loss process. It is necessary to change eating habits and be physically active.

What matcha is used in the kitchen?

Matcha powder can be used to prepare not only tea, but also yoghurts, smoothies, cocktails ormatcha latteso-calledmatcha tea with milk.It is also used to make cakes, cakes and other sweets. Matcha gives them not only an original look, but also a taste.

However, it should be remembered that adding other ingredients to matcha tea weakens its beneficial effects. To take full advantage of the he alth-promoting properties, it is worth drinking a cup of properly brewed matcha tea.

Where can you buy matcha tea?

It is best to look for it in tea, coffee or he alth food stores.

Meet other teas:

  • Lapacho, or "Inca tea" - action and properties of lapacho
  • Green tea - healing properties and preparation
  • Sanpin (green jasmine tea) - properties. How to brew sanpin?
  • Rooibos - properties and application. The method of brewing rooibos tea
  • Yerba mate: properties and method of brewing
  • Red tea: slimming and healing properties

How to brew matcha tea?

To prepare matcha you will need:

  • matchawan , i.e. a special large bowl (a small vessel inin the shape of a cup) used to prepare matcha tea (or you can replace it with a regular cup),
  • chashaku,which is a bamboo spoon for applying matcha (or you can replace it with a regular spoon),
  • chasen , a bamboo matcha whisk that looks like a shaving cream brush (you can replace it with an electric or manual milk frother, or a small kitchen whisk) ,
  • Matcha sievebefore brewing to reduce the risk of clumps.

Pour a flat teaspoon of matcha into a bowl, pour 150-200 ml of water at 70-80 degrees C(not boiling water!), And then mix with a whisk with quick movements until until the powder dissolves and forms a foam on the surface of the tea.

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