Author: Julia Kopylova , tea expert.
Careful attitude to collection and processing, observance of special rituals and ceremonies, the desire to make the tonic drink truly tasty, and make the most of its natural qualities & mdash; all this is typical of the Eastern approach.
It is not surprising that matcha green tea, whose beneficial properties are appreciated not only by the Japanese, but throughout the world, was originally opened in China.
At the end of the XII century, a Buddhist monk first introduced the inhabitants of the land of the Rising Sun to the new variety & mdash; and since then it has remained the most popular choice, ahead of even pu'er, which most Chinese connoisseurs prefer to drink.
Original name & mdash; matcha, with emphasis on the second syllable & mdash; is a combination of two words (& laquo; ma & raquo; & mdash; powder, & laquo; t & raquo; & mdash; tea), which best characterizes the specifics of making a drink.
What is Matcha
Features of the Japanese variety in question & mdash; rich and bright green color, unusual tart taste, but most importantly & mdash; powder feed form.
Shading & mdash; tea bushes are closed from direct sunlight three weeks before collection, which slows down and stops the natural growth cycle, and leaves are saturated with active elements and substances.
Matcha tea can be purchased from our online store
Matcha tea is a drink with an unusually rich, vibrant color. It is made from tea leaves ground into powder. The drink has a soft, tart taste and is very useful, for which it is loved all over the world.
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The collected material is sent to the factory, where it is treated with steam, which prevents fermentation, and helps to preserve a juicy shade and pronounced aroma.
The usefulness of matcha tea is preserved by carefully separating the leaves stuck together, as well as removing excess moisture for which air turbines are used.
At the final stage, the raw materials are supplied to the furnace for heat treatment, after which they are ground to a state of powder called & laquo; tent & raquo;.
It is worth noting that there are no stems or veins in the finished composition. The unusual sweet-tart taste is provided by the L-theanine amino acid contained in matcha.
The earlier the leaves were collected, the more pleasant and invigorating it will be & mdash; experts note that late collection is characterized by pronounced bitterness, which in some cases makes it difficult to assess the benefits of the drink.
Varieties
There are several types that differ in consistency, brightness, color saturation, and finish.
Japanese green
Traditional matcha is a powder, or even powder, created by drying and carefully machining the leaves.
For those who are going to make tea, it is important to remember that, subject to all the rules, it should turn out to be opaque, and have a rich bright color reminiscent of spring foliage.
If the composition has a brownish or yellow tint & mdash; this means that you have a lower quality matcha, which is not recommended to drink, but at the same time can be used in baking and making desserts.
The best varieties undergo comprehensive selection and multi-stage preparation, which allows them to maintain taste characteristics and beneficial properties.
Blue Match
One of the varieties, which, however, cannot be fully attributed to the category under consideration. Light blue powder has its own name & mdash; anchan, and is produced in Thailand from triple clitoris flowers.
The consistency and method of preparation can be distinguished as general features, but the taste is significantly different from the original matcha.
Curiously, if you wish, you can give the finished drink a purple shade & mdash; it is enough to add a small amount of lemon juice to it. See for yourself by ordering a match in the online store & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo;!
What's included
The beneficial properties of matcha green tea, as well as possible contraindications, are determined by the amount of substances and trace elements contained in it. These include:
- A variety of antioxidants, including one of the most effective & mdash; epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCg, which is a type of catechin.
- Amino acids, among which L-theanine and aspartic acid are noted.
- Mineral components including calcium, potassium, fluoride, zinc and iron.
- Carbohydrates and proteins, vitamins C and E, fiber, caffeine, and tannins.
One of these elements deserves closer attention, since it is this biologically active substance that determines the distinctive features of matcha, thanks to which the drink is valued by fans of tea culture.
Studies show that it is found only in some plant products, and plays an important role in protecting the cells of the human body.
Antioxidant EGCG
The theory formulated by D. Harman back in the middle of the last century is based on the concept that the main cause of aging is free radicals that damage various forms of molecules and disrupt the natural functioning of cells.
It is their action that causes the development of various pathological processes.
Epigallocatechin gallate, also known as catechin & mdash; a natural antioxidant that promotes cleansing.
Neutralizing the harmful effects of respiratory byproducts can be considered as prevention, helps slow down the appearance of external signs of aging, and also normalizes metabolism, resulting in weight loss.
In addition, the benefits of matcha tea for women & mdash; regular use stimulates the reproductive system and reduces the pain of cycles.
Of course, it should be borne in mind that no tea drink, including matcha, is an independent medicine.
Despite the overall positive effect, you should still be treated by specialists who are able to identify pathological factors and choose competent therapeutic methods.
Caffeine content
Curious observation: In terms of the invigorating sensation that occurs after a cup is drunk, the effect of the match is even more pronounced than in the case of a regular espresso or Americano.
A mild effect on the body is caused by a caffeine concentration of 35 mg per gram, which leads to gradual absorption.
As a consequence & mdash; slow energy release lasting for 5-7 hours and the non-stressful effects of strong drinks with a high content of tein or matein.
Calories
Another positive aspect & mdash; low kilocalorie levels comparable to dietary products.
Despite the minimum indicator (2.76 kcal per 1 g), matcha retains a high nutritional value, which determines the popularity of the powder not only as a base for making tea, but also in culinary activities.
The ingredient is often found in recipes, and is recommended as a source of original and memorable taste.
Useful properties of the Match
So, as we have already found out, the Japanese variety is not inferior in its characteristics to either coffee or classic tea crops. The tonic effect gives vigor and clarity of thinking, while protecting the state of the nervous system.
It is worth noting that this particular drink is appreciated by Buddhist monks who practice meditation.
A high concentration of catechin, several tens of times higher than in other varieties, contributes to increased immunity and resistance to viral microorganisms, which is especially important in the cold season.
However, when talking about how matcha green tea is useful, do not forget about other functional capabilities of jade powder. So, the powder is used as one of the elements for the preparation of toothpaste, helps to strengthen the gums, as well as prevent the development of tooth decay.
The content in cosmetics and scrubs helps to cleanse the skin and improve complexion. In addition, in hot weather, matcha is used as a natural refreshing tonic.
For weight loss
Another aspect of interest to fans of a healthy lifestyle & mdash; effects on excess weight and waist volume measures. Studies indicate that an increased content of fiber, antioxidants and catechins, stimulating metabolic cycles and normalizing metabolic processes, allows you to get a positive result with regular use of matcha.
It is also noted that increasing energy and overall tone allows you to better cope with physical activity & mdash; of course, no weight loss program is complete without regular workouts and exercises.
At the same time, the drink provides accelerated body recovery, which allows you to quickly adapt to the program and more actively perform its elements, achieving the desired result in a shorter time.
How does pressure affect
In the presence of hypertension or other health problems, it is recommended to carefully choose the composition of the diet to avoid exacerbation of the pathological condition. Renal secretion is considered one of the causes of such diseases.
Production of ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme, is an integral part of the natural exchange cycle.
However, with vasoconstriction & mdash; under the influence of this substance & mdash; One of the likely adverse and often negative reactions is an increase in blood pressure.
Is matcha tea useful in these situations? In most cases, & mdash; yes.
Being a natural ACE inhibitor, the drink inhibits the action of the enzyme, contributing to the normalization of the general condition.
Regular use has a preventive effect, preventing sharp exacerbations, as well as reducing the likelihood of developing heart disease.
It is worth remembering that the individual characteristics of the body do not always guarantee the expected result & mdash; especially since matcha is not a medical remedy. If you feel unwell, contact your doctor immediately and take your prescribed medications as scheduled.
Contraindications
The caffeine content of the powder has a number of limitations. If consumed incorrectly, the benefits and harms of matcha tea are mixed & mdash; properties have a more pronounced effect, which does not always have a positive effect.
The drink is not recommended for children under twelve years of age, pregnant and lactating women, and should not be combined with medications including:
- hormonal drugs and contraceptives;
- antidepressants and tranquilizers;
- diabetes treatments and antibiotics.
Large doses taken on an empty stomach can cause nausea and vomiting. In addition, matcha affects the process of iron absorption, which leads to the presence of contraindications in diagnosed anemia.
Match selection and brewing features
To achieve maximum value, it is important not only to follow the correct recipe, but also to correctly choose the right variety.
Key criteria to consider include:
- Tea quality. It is enough to carefully examine the powder, and make sure that there are no large particles and lumps in it, and the overall structure looks more like a powder with a uniform color.
- Manufacturer. Original finished products are imported from Japan and are recommended as the most healthy and tasty & mdash; for both brewing and cooking.
- Choice of utensils. Unlike traditional varieties, matcha is cooked without the use of a kettle. The composition is poured with hot water immediately in the cup, preferably ceramic or porcelain, since in this case the heat lasts long enough to fully reveal the taste.
Find the best varieties and order matcha tea You can always in the catalog & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo;.
And to properly prepare a real Japanese drink, you need to perform the following set of actions:
- Bring the water to a boil and wait for it to cool to 80 o C. Compliance with the required temperature & mdash; an important factor, so a thermometer is recommended.
- Matcha concentration should be uniform & mdash; if the powder in the cup is not enough, external bitterness may appear in the taste. Optimal proportions & mdash; teaspoon per 50 ml of water.
- Brewed tea is infused for two to three minutes, after which you need to beat foam on its surface & mdash; it is allowed to use both a special bamboo whisk and a regular blender.
- See & nbsp; here for how to cold brew matcha tea in a French press.
Traditionally, the drink is drunk in its pure form, but if you wish, you can use non-standard recipes that reveal the taste from a new side.
Among the popular options, it is worth noting combinations with chocolate, as well as the latte version & mdash; with added milk, honey, vanilla and coconut oil.
How much you can drink per day
In the absence of health problems, no contraindications to the use of the match are detected. But the presence of allergies to green tea, as well as disorders affecting sleep patterns, requires more careful handling of the drink.
In case of insomnia, it is worth limiting yourself to one or two cups a day, preferably & mdash; before lunch, so that the resulting effect does not exacerbate the already disrupted regime.
As in all situations, the main thing is & mdash; this is a moderate intake, which excludes excessive concentration of tonic substances in the body.
Practice shows that for a healthy adult, 3-4 servings of a match are considered an acceptable daily dose, but each subsequent one can already cause a negative reaction. Exceeding the daily dose of caffeine & mdash; not the best solution, so despite the pleasant and invigorating taste, it is important to maintain a reasonable balance.
Let's summarize
The popularity of traditional oriental recipes often leads to myths and legends that attribute special properties and capabilities to them.
In fact, the benefits and harms of Japanese matcha tea are determined by the specifics of its composition, processing and preparation technology.
The tonic effect, improved mood and well-being still do not allow the drink to be classified as a medicine & mdash; however, by appreciating its taste, you will definitely discover a new kind of pleasure with a Japanese flavor.