Are you determined to quit coffee? Do you want to find an alternative that won’t cause crashes, insomnia, stress, or digestive issues? Or are you looking for an even healthier alternative? Or does this magnificent green powder with incredible benefits intrigue you?

Certainly, coffee, when consumed in reasonable amounts, has many scientifically proven health benefits. But some people may experience discomfort when they consume it. If you are one of them and have never tried matcha green tea, you need to read this.

Over the past few years, matcha has gained popularity more than ever before, and it’s not a trend that’s going away anytime soon. Yet, matcha tea has existed in the Far East for over a millennium and has been passed down from generation to generation in Japan. It was originally a tradition reserved for the Emperor of Japan. It was also used by the upper classes of Japanese society as a remedy, by the Samurai before going into battle, and it was the favored drink of Japanese Buddhist monks for their meditation. We are therefore fortunate that this tradition has crossed borders.

Drinking a good organic matcha tea is above all a moment of personal pleasure, a time taken for oneself. Even today in Japan, there is a very special tradition surrounding the tasting of this tea. Drinking it "with a straight back" is said to double the pleasure of the tasting. In other words, it is a way to savor the present moment, to taste mindfully.

Matcha tea is still, today, a very high-quality tea, very rarely cultivated. It is an emerald green tea, grown and produced in a unique way, in the shade of the sun, by artisan growers in Japan. The youngest leaves of Camellia Sinensis are not brewed, but rather finely ground in the dark, after a brief steaming, into a very delicate powder.

This powder can be mixed with hot water or a milk or plant-based drink if you want to soften its bitterness.  The tea leaf is completely consumed, which provides an incredible amount of antioxidants 137 times more antioxidants than in brewed green tea (which we unfortunately throw away once brewed)!

Prefer organic matcha tea. We consume the whole leaf, so avoiding pesticides is a wise choice.

Here is a list of the benefits of Japanese matcha green tea:

#1- Matcha provides a good long-lasting boost of energy

Matcha offers a perfect combination of caffeine and l-theanine.  On one hand, matcha contains a different (and lesser) form of caffeine than coffee: theophylline. This type of caffeine is released more slowly into the body and therefore provides sustained energy for longer, while also helping to support adrenal functions. 

Then, the caffeine that matcha contains is more tolerable by the body than that of coffee, since it is associated with L-theanine, known for relaxing without drowsiness. Matcha will give you its dose of energy over an extended period of 4 to 6 hours, without the "high" of coffee, but also without the crash that is generally associated with it.

#2- Matcha helps with concentration and memory

These same two molecules, caffeine and L-theanine, help keep the brain alert by promoting concentration and memory, while also exerting a calming and anti-stress effect. It's no coincidence that Buddhist monks consumed their matcha before their meditation sessions!

L-theanine also stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are known for their positive effects on mood, memory, and concentration. Hummm… why go without it?

#3- Matcha boosts weight loss

Matcha to boost weight loss? Well yes! Research indicates that catechins, mainly EGCG, stimulate metabolism, leading to a reduction in body fat mass since more calories are burned at rest! Although the claim is positive without effort, it will be even more effective with physical exercise and a healthy diet.   

The equivalent to stimulate weight loss is also found in green tea extract, concentrated in EGCg.

#4- Matcha for disease prevention and immune system support

Matcha is considered a superfood due to its multiple health benefits. It is very rich in catechins, particularly EGCg – epigallocatechin gallate, the most recognized antioxidant in the fight against cancer. 

It also strengthens the immune system, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases by lowering bad cholesterol levels, and type 2 diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels.

#5- Matcha for Healthy Skin

To maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin, you first need to provide it with the right nutrients. This is not only achieved through the creams we apply but also through our diet. This is where antioxidants play an important role. They neutralize the effects of free radicals caused by pollution, chemicals, UV rays, and radiation.

Catechins therefore help to slow down skin aging by preventing damage to cells and improving its elasticity. They actually have an effect on the balance of the entire body, helping to restore it.

The matcha can even be used to make a 100% natural mask. It will help to free your skin from chemicals, promote cell renewal, and also particularly assist acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in fighting the bacteria responsible, while soothing the skin.

Test the mask yourself: Mix a little matcha tea, oats, and hot water until you reach the desired consistency. Gently apply to the skin, softly rubbing in circular motions with the palms of your fingers, using the oats to exfoliate the skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then gently cleanse afterward. Moisturize your skin afterward with your moisturizer.

#6- Matcha to Aid Digestion

Still antioxidants! They are so powerful in matcha tea that its benefits are truly numerous.

Another benefit of matcha is that it helps gastrointestinal functions. On one hand, its antioxidants help eliminate toxins and chemicals from the body, and it also stimulates bowel movements, which will have the effect of promoting intestinal regularity.

Enjoy it plain, in smoothies, lattes, chocolates, pancakes, cakes. Its earthy, spring-like, and delicate taste blends wonderfully with other flavors.  

Here is my very simple version of my plant-based matcha latte – gluten-free – dairy-free.

Recipe:

Plant-based matcha and maple latte

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups of almond drink (or your favorite plant-based beverage)

1 tsp organic matcha powder

2 tsp maple syrup

Heat everything over medium heat, whisking to dissolve the matcha in the plant-based milk, and stirring regularly to prevent everything from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Stop cooking when it starts to gently simmer.

PS: A quicker version can simply be to warm the milk with the maple syrup in the microwave, and then whisk the matcha into it afterwards.

Enjoy... with your back straight!

Side effects:

Some people may experience certain side effects such as diarrhea or cardiac arrhythmia following the consumption of matcha, especially due to the higher amount of caffeine compared to regular green tea.

It is better to start slowly with the consumption of this tea if you have never consumed it before.

And matcha can contain lead, as the plant absorbs it from the soil. Even organic, it can contain a certain amount. Make sure to get good quality matcha tea; the risks of finding lead in it are quite low.   

It is also not recommended to consume matcha during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Article written by Audrée Hogue