"One cup of Matcha will net you the antioxidant protection found in 10 cups of brewed green tea and up to 100 times the antioxidant power of vitamins C and E," says Suzy Cohen, RPh, according to an article in Health.com. For even more health benefits, the experts at Health Magazine suggest adding a dollop of honey to your tea because of the antibacterial powers.
Matcha is the oldest variety of shade-grown Japanese tea. During the three to four weeks before harvesting, the Matcha tea fields are covered in shade to allow the tea leaves to develop higher levels of amino acid and this helps mask the bitter flavor of the polyphenols. End result: Matcha tea tastes sweeter than regular green tea. Matcha tea has a long history, it has been used in Zen Buddhist ceremonies for over 800 years according to the Japanese gourmet tea producer Aiya.
Most green teas are infused and you only consume a fraction of the tea leaf because of the bitter taste. Matcha the tea leaves are ground into a powder so you are consuming nearly all of the tea leaf in your cup of tea.
Matcha green tea contains higher concentrations of green tea antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibers because unlike regular green tea leaves that are brewed, ground-up Matcha tea leaves are whisked with water and consumed entirely. Other health benefits include increased energy and mental alertness due to high amounts of L-theanins (amino acids) and tea caffeine theophylline.
