If you follow me on Instagram (@prepandrally) you know my OBSESSION with matcha! I get asked all the time what the heck matcha is, how to make a latte, which matcha powder I like etc. so I decided to write a blog post about it! Let me know if you have any questions and definitely give matcha a try. It is insanely delicious and really good for you!
What is matcha:
Matcha is high-quality green tea leaves that have been finely ground and made into powder form.
What are the health benefits of matcha:
-It’s rich in antioxidants called polyphenols which are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer, regulating blood sugar levels, blood pressure reduction, boosts metabolism, and anti-aging-ALL things we can use!
-It’s also rich in fiber, and chlorophyll
-One cup of matcha tea has as much antioxidants as 10 cups of brewed green tea
What’s the deal? How much caffeine is actually in it?
-Because you’re eating the whole tea leaf you are getting three times more caffeine than a cup of steeped green tea and those three cups are about as much caffeine that’s in a cup of brewed coffee. However, because it contains l-theanine (bear with me..) which induces relaxation without making you sleepy, matcha doesn’t typically give you that jittery effect that coffee does!
So, what does matcha taste like?
Matcha is pretty strong tasting if it’s unsweetened or too much powder is used. Some people think it tastes earthy or grassy. My recipe is my favorite way to prepare the drink which doesn’t taste like the earth at all! Give it a shot!
How should you store matcha?
This is news to me but apparently you’re supposed to store the container in the fridge. Think of it as a fresh vegetable!
Why is it so expensive? Would any match powder do the trick?
Matcha not only makes a great drink but it is incredibly healthy for you! But not all brands are the same and there is certain quality you should look for if you want to get all the health benefits it’s known for!
I love Pure Synergy because: It’s kosher, USDA organic, hand-inspected to meet the highest level of quality, it’s cold-milled so as not to destroy the nutrients- think of it like cold-pressed juices. You can tell great quality by looking for vibrant green color and putting some in your hand to look for clumps which would indicate poor quality.
When it comes to this, I want to reap all the benefits matcha has to offer so I buy the best quality there is. If you were a car, would you want the plain gas in your car? Or would you splurge just a bit more to get the best of the best with the premium? We have one body for the rest of our lives…I choose premium!
I’ve also been sneaking in reishi and maca into my smoothies and matcha lattes lately.
Reishi is an ancient ayervedic herb which is actually becoming mainstream today. It’s touted to promote calmness, centeredness, balance, inner awareness and inner strength.
I am a huge fan of Sun Potion’s adaptogens and highly recommend looking into their products if you’re needing some extra calm from stress, anxiety, or just want something that will bring on calmness. Here is a little excerpt from Sun Potion’s site: “Reishi is one of the most potent adaptogens available to modern society. Adaptogens are those herbs and substances that increase the body’s resistance to stress and help it overcome all health challenges more quickly. Adaptogens are defined as substances which positively support the body to reduce or increase the body’s actions as appropriate. Reishi is believed by Japanese and Chinese researchers to have a regulatory effect on the immune system, raising immune function in cases of immunodeficiency and reducing the excesses associated with auto-immune conditions.”
And here is some information on maca:
Maca is a true nutritional powerhouse. Dried Maca root contains 13-16% protein, 8.5% fiber, 19 essential amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and D, minerals iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, several glucosinolates, 20 free fatty acids, and unique compounds called macaenes and macamides. Maca is a nutritional powerhouse that is dense in amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It is also an adaptogen, which means that it supports overall health and strength. Research has revealed that Maca works to boost the overall physical functioning of the body as well as to lift mood.
Maca is considered to be very beneficial for hormone balancing, endocrine and thyroid function enhancement and even immune system enhancement. These benefits are most likely related to its high content of amino acids.
Favorite Matcha Powder:
The Maca I use:
Reishi:
The ultimate frother and apparently best and easiest Matcha maker as I’ve discovered!
