5 Reasons to Drink Matcha Green Tea

• One serving of matcha tea has the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed (loose-leaf) green tea.

  Matcha green tea is an incredible source of antioxidants, naturally occurring compounds found in various foods and beverages that help to prevent the onslaught of premature aging and chronic diseases. Catechins, a special class of antioxidants, are found in matcha in high amounts. Looking for an easy and foolproof way to boost your antioxidant intake? The ultra-potent catechins should put matcha at the top of your list.

  Antioxidants in a Nutshell (or a Teapot!)

  Antioxidants are compounds that are found in some foods and beverages such as tea that may help protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — highly reactive molecules that can damage your DNA. Free radicals may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.

  Antioxidants can also be found in many fruits and vegetables such as kale, blueberries, spinach, beets, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as dark chocolate and pecans.

• When you drink matcha, you are ingesting the entire leaf (and all of its nutrients).

  While we obviously love loose-leaf tea, there are some downsides to brewing the leaves using a classic immersion method. Valuable antioxidants and nutrients that are packed into the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are not able to be fully extracted when brewing. But how do you receive all of the awesome health benefits of this amazing plant without consuming (a likely very bitter) leaf? Enjoying a bowl of matcha is the simplest way. Matcha is made from stone ground green tea leaves and comes in the form of powder. When the powder is combined with warm water or blended into other various drinks - you are receiving the full benefits of every vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant that this wonder beverage has to offer.

• Tired of coffee crashes? Matcha has a better caffeine boost.

  If you're anything like us, caffeine in the morning (and maybe kinda all the time) is a necessity. Due to the naturally occurring l-theanine found in matcha, enjoying a bowl helps you to achieve the perfect level of alert calmness. The l-theanine promotes relaxation, while the caffeine helps to kickstart your day without the pesky spike in adrenaline glucose and insulin levels. These spikes are often attributed to the jolt that coffee gives us, which can result in unsettling side effects like jitteriness and the all too familiar 2 pm caffeine crash.

  L-theanine is an amino acid found commonly in tea leaves. It can be found in both green and black tea. Research indicates that L-theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness.

• Matcha is gorgeous. And making it daily may be your new favorite ritual!

  Not that pouring coffee into the same unwashed mug from yesterday isn't a beautiful thing…but the process of making matcha is a fun, relaxing and steeped in tradition. Matcha preparation has been the cornerstone of Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries. Ceremonial grade matcha, like our Positively Tea Organic Japanese Matcha, is used for its silky texture and vibrant green color. Ceremonial grade matcha will be a finer consistency than food grade matcha and is noted for having a sweeter flavor, tons of umami (savory, rich taste) and a pleasing finish.

  Matcha preparation is relatively simple. One to three scoops of matcha are added to a bowl followed by a small amount of fresh hot water. A bamboo whisk is used to rapidly whisk the tea until a vibrant, foamy paste is created. When this consistency is reached, more hot water is mixed in to produce the perfect, slightly thick tea.

• Matcha can be used for other awesome beauty and food recipes!

  While we always suggest beginners try matcha in a traditional manner, this tea is amazing for countless other café drinks and even fun DIY self-care projects like face masks. Positively Tea also offers culinary grade Organic Chinese Matcha which is excellent for tea as well as baking, smoothies and more. The multi-functional powder is a hit with chefs everywhere for its palatable versatility. Due to matcha's natural “umami,” it works well in both sweet and savory recipes.